MP Gallant Successful in Obtaining Deferral of Firearms Marking Regulations

November 30, 2007

Ottawa, Ontario - Cheryl Gallant, MP, Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, is pleased to confirm that Canada’s new Conservative government is listening to firearm sports enthusiasts. Firearms marking regulations brought in by the previous government, due to be enforced on December 1st, 2007, have now been deferred to December 1st, 2009.

“This is a great victory for the shooting sports industry and the small business owners who feared bankruptcy if the regulations went forward as is. I thank all the concerned sporting enthusiasts who contacted me to express their concerns. When I started receiving letters and phone calls, I personally went to the Public Security Minister to fight on their behalf. Hunters should be pleased to know that even with a hostile opposition in a minority Parliament, we on the government side in the Conservative party are doing all we can to stand up for their rights,” stated Cheryl Gallant, MP

In December 2004, the old government enacted more regulations requiring that imported firearms be marked with “CA”(for Canada) and the last two digits of the year of import. The proposed marking regulations are the result of previous international agreements signed by the old government.

“Of the 64 countries that signed the protocol agreement or adhered to it, only one has ratified it and begun the marking requirements. Even though the old administration signed on, the agreement was never ratified in Canada! Opposition MPs who are anti-hunter should now recognize, like nearly every other country in the world, that rather than bringing in more and more regulations, it makes the most sense to work co-operatively with industry and law enforcement agencies to come up with rules that are fair,” remarked MP Gallant.

Currently, all legal firearms can be traced through the serial number, which is located on the firearm. This will not change.

“Our government is committed to the safety of all Canadians and to strong and effective gun control.  For months the official opposition under a weak leader have played procedural tricks to try and stop our government from bringing in new, effective crime legislation, like tougher sentences for crimes committed with guns.  I look forward to the day when the opposition is forced to be accountable to voters, concluded MP Cheryl Gallant.