Advocates for gun control claim that Canadians must choose between their hobbies and their children’s lives.
Any exceptions to the federal handgun freeze, according to an umbrella group of gun control proponents, should be very precisely stated.
In today’s House of Commons public safety committee hearing, Wendy Cukier of the Coalition for Gun Control stressed the significance of preventing exclusions from becoming the norm.
In an effort to reduce gun violence, the Liberal administration has implemented regulations that prohibit the importation, purchase, sale, or other transfer of handguns. These regulations will be strengthened by new legislation.
Businesses could still sell to those who were excluded, such as professional sports shooters who participated in or served as coaches in pistol competitions sanctioned by the International Olympic or Paralympic committees.
International Practical Shooting Confederation representatives urged lawmakers looking over the bill to expand the exemption to cover competitors in their events.
Contrary to more conventional contests, IPSC matches may feature moving targets while firing at them as well as trying to fire quickly while reloading or pulling from a holster.
The law “would result in a slow end for our sport in 77,” according to Jim Smith of the confederation. Our sport will eventually die away if no new athletes are introduced to take the place of the current competitors and if equipment cannot be replaced when it breaks down.
“I genuinely believe that we must choose between our children’s lives and our hobbies. It is that obvious to me. I believe that any exemptions offered must be very precisely specified, she continued.
The facts simply do not support the claim that all gun violence is a result of illegally obtained weapons.
Pam Damoff, a Liberal member of parliament, asked Smith whether, in the event that it was to receive a waiver, the confederation might end up serving as the new entry point for firearm ownership in Canada.
Smith responded, “I guess that would be a matter of trust,” noting that participants in IPSC are required to attend training sessions and compete on a regular basis in order to remain qualified.
Additionally, the bill would establish a new “red flag” statute that would enable judges to order anyone who has deemed a danger to themselves or others to turn in their firearms to law enforcement.
According to the administration, the legislation would secure applicants’ identities while ensuring their safety—oftentimes, these applicants are women who are at risk of domestic abuse.
Cukier opposed the idea of requiring people to appear in court for an emergency order, adding that the system already permits the removal of firearms from dangerous individuals.
What we lack, she replied, are the provisions that call for doing that.
The government announced a ban on more than 1,500 types and variations of what it views as assault-style weapons, such as the AR-15, two years ago. The Liberals intend to compensate impacted individuals and companies through a mandated buyback program.
However, proponents of the prohibition have expressed worry that manufacturers will get around the restrictions.
According to Cukier, the law should be changed to incorporate a permanent definition of an assault-style weapon.
