Oct 11, 2019
CURRENT ELECTION INFORMATION THAT MAY AFFECT YOUR INTERESTS
Dear members,
As a non-profit society, PCDHFC may not endorse any particular party by law, however, we may bring to your attention any policies or information that may pertain to our core functions: namely firearms policy, hunting and fishing rights, outdoor and environmental concerns.
Recently the election platforms of the major federal parties began to take shape with some important statements we feel are of importance to you.
Liberal party promises to ban “assault rifles” and promises to allow municipalities to ban or restrict handguns
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister Bill Blair announced that if re-elected the Liberal government will ban what they term “assault rifles” AND to take steps to allow municipalities to restrict or ban handguns. The party platform can be read here:
https://2019.liberal.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/292/2019/09/2019-backgrounder-guns-ENG-1.pdf
Comparison:
- Conservative Party: rejects bans; higher penalties for gun crime
- Green Party: guns have no place in urban areas; countrywide ban on handguns and semi-automatic rifles except for sport and policing
- NDP: supports a handgun and assault weapons ban; support city bans
- People’s Party of Canada: replace the Firearms Act; redefine classifications
Summary of Party Platforms
We have assembled a summary of their current platforms on this web page for your research:
https://pcdhfc.com/election-2019-the-federal-parties-and-their-platforms-that-affect-you/
For your information:
On a ban of “assault rifles” – On the subject of “assault rifles”, PCDHFC’s executive advises that there is no legal definition in Canada of what an assault rifle (or “assault weapon”) is. Under our law, fully automatic firearms are already prohibited, while semi-automatic rifles and shotguns may be either restricted or non-restricted. As such, it is not clear which firearms would be subject to confiscation.
PCDHFC upholds our member’s legal rights to safely use non-restricted semi-automatic firearms for hunting, and restricted firearms for sports and for collecting. While the Liberal Party platform suggests a buyback scheme without costing details, we reject using taxpayer monies to confiscate members’ property. We reject the assertion that 2.2 million firearms owners are of danger to the public.
On allowing municipalities to ban or restrict firearms: PCDHFC draws our membership almost entirely from the municipalities of the Tri-Cities area as well as from Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, New Westminster and all municipalities west of the Pitt River. As such, we feel our membership who have restricted licenses will obviously be impacted by the suggestion to allow cities to ban or restrict handgun ownership. It is also not at all clear how a Federal responsibility can be devolved to municipalities. Under our laws firearms are a Federal responsibility through the Firearms Act and Criminal Code.
As the host to the training programs of nearly all local law enforcement agencies, the club endorses rational public safety measures targeting violent crime. We feel monies spent on confiscation law-abiding owner’s properties would be better spent on anti-gang initiatives and prevention.
How YOU can act
- Engage candidates / party campaigners with the issues you feel are important.
- Provide feedback to the club on how you feel we should act.
- Continue to be informed. Watch all news sources and counter misinformation. We are posting regular articles as they emerge on https://www.facebook.com/pcdhfc. Selected articles will be printed and posted on our boards at the range.
- Speak with your community and demystify firearms issues
- And most importantly: Vote! Make sure you are registered and know which riding and which candidates are you in your area. Go to https://www.elections.ca/ to find out more.
Your Club Executive
PCDHFC