MP GALLANT WELCOMES ANOTHER STEP TOWARDS SCRAPPING THE LONG GUN REGISTRY

June 08, 2007

OTTAWA – Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke M.P. Cheryl Gallant today welcomed a Bill that requires those who commit serious firearms crimes to prove why they should be granted bail.

“Once again Canada’s New Government is taking concrete steps to crack down on guns, gangs and drugs instead of wasting time and money going after law-abiding farmers and sportsmen,” MP Gallant said.

Bill C-35, an Act to amend the Criminal Code (reverse onus in bail hearings for firearm-related offences), was passed in the House of Commons and will now move to the Senate.

Under this Bill, a “reverse onus” would apply in cases involving:

• Any one of eight serious offences committed with a firearm such as: attempted murder, robbery, discharging a firearm with intent, aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault with a weapon, kidnapping, hostage-taking, or extortion;

• Any indictable offence involving firearms or other regulated weapons if committed while under a weapons prohibition order; and,

• Firearm trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking or firearm smuggling.

Currently, a person charged with a serious firearms offence can be granted bail and allowed to roam the streets. Under Bill C-35, those charged with serious gun crimes will have to demonstrate to the court why they should not stay in custody until their trial.

“These reforms will lower the risk that people charged with serious firearm offences may re-offend while out on bail. It will also reduce the risk that they may take flight to avoid facing trial for their original charges. These reforms will help to make our streets and communities safer,” MP Gallant said.

Since taking office, Canada’s New Government has taken action to make our streets and communities safer by tabling legislation to restrict conditional sentences; increase mandatory penalties for gun-related crimes, better fight alcohol- and drug-impaired driving; ban house arrest for repeated offences; create tougher laws against street racing, and raise the age of consent from 14 to 16 years to protect youth from adult sexual predators.

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For More Information Please Call Cheryl Gallant, M.P. at (613) 732-4404