John Williamson, Conservative MP for New Brunswick-Southwest, took to the floor of the House of Commons on Thursday to denounce the registry. He raised eyebrows when he channeled Martin Luther King Jr.'s most famous speech.
"Free at last, free at last, law-abiding Canadians are finally free at last," Williamson bellowed. Surrounding MPs can be heard in the video echoing his declaration.
We keep hearing about scrapping the long-gun registry, but really what we're talking about is scrapping the requirement for people to register their rifles and shotguns - that's what Bill C-19 aims to do by making amendments to the Criminal Code and Firearms Act. Once passed, people will not have to register their non-restricted or non-prohibited firearms. It also provides for the destruction of existing records in the Canadian Firearms Registry for those firearms.
<em>With files from CBC</em>
What exactly is the registry?
It's a centralized database overseen by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police that links firearms with their licensed owners. It contains information about all three types of guns that must be registered - non-restricted, restricted and prohibited. (All firearms must be registered.) To register a firearm, you have to have a licence to possess it.
Does the bill make any changes to licensing requirements?
No. Canadian residents need a licence in order to possess and register a firearm or ammunition and that won't change. There are a couple of different kinds of licences because of various changes to laws and regulations over the years.
What are long guns?
There are three types of guns under Canadian law: non-restricted, restricted and prohibited. Most common long guns - rifles and shotguns - are non-restricted but there are a few exceptions. A sawed-off shotgun, for example, is a prohibited firearm. A handgun is an example of a restricted firearm. Different regulations apply to different classifications of firearms.
How many guns are we talking about?
As of September 2011, there were about 7.8 million registered guns. Of those, 7.1 million are non-restricted firearms.
Why does the government want to get rid of the long-gun registry?
The government says it is wasteful and ineffective at reducing crime and targets law-abiding gun owners instead of criminals, who don't register their firearms.
Who wants to keep it?
Police and victims' groups are big supporters of the registry. Police say the database helps them evaluate a potential safety threat when they pull a vehicle over or are called to a residence. They also say it helps support police investigations because the registry can help determine if a gun was stolen, illegally imported, acquired or manufactured. This year, the RCMP says police agencies accessed it on average more than 17,000 times a day.
When will the registry cease to exist?
The government has passed the legislation and the registry no longer exists. Except for in Quebec, where an ongoing court challenge means the owners must still register their guns in the province.
Why does the government want to destroy the records?
The government is doing this to ensure that no future non-Conservative government can recreate the registry. Public Safety Minister Vic Toews has also made it clear that if any province wants to set up its own registry it would get no help from the federal government. The Conservatives are so fundamentally opposed to the existence of the records, because they say they focus on law-abiding citizens instead of criminals, that they don't want them available for anyone to use.
How much does the registry cost?
The registry cost more than $1 billion to set up in 1995 and the cost was the source of much controversy. Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said on Oct. 25 that the government's best estimate is that it costs about $22 million a year to operate. That's the entire registry, not just the long-gun portion, but he noted most of the guns in the registry are long guns. He said he didn't know how much money scrapping the requirement to register long guns would save the government. Conservative MP Candice Hoeppner says there are also "hidden costs" that are borne by provincial and municipal police agencies to enforce the registry.
Rob Anders (Conservative MP) falls asleep in Parliament
Rob Anders, the same MP who called Nelson Mandela a "terrorist," falls asleep in the House of Commons (From Question Period on November 17, 2011)
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Canada's Environment Minister doesn't know what ozone is?
NDP MP does his hair, appears to fall asleep in Parliament
NDP MP Jonathan Genest-Jourdain (Manicouagan) does his hair and then appears to fall in asleep in the House of Commons on February 6th, 2012. Follow me on twitter: @sleepyrobanders - www.twitter.com
NDP MP does his hair in Parliament again
From February 16th 2012 - only a couple of days after being mocked nationally for having fallen asleep in the House of Commons, NDP MP Jonathan Genest-Jourdain (Manicouagan) makes a joke out of a serious motion on First Nations education by primming his hair before speaking. Follow me on twitter: @sleepyrobanders - www.twitter.com
Conservative MP Jim Hillyer celebrates vote against the gun registry with gunshot gestures
Conservative MP Jim Hillyer (Lethbridge) celebrates vote against the gun registry with gunshot gestures.
Conservative Jim Hillyer "apologizes" for air gun gesture
Vic Toews vs. Vic Toews
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The Tories are celebrating the end of the long-gun registry on Thursday (though not in Quebec), but one MP's speech on the issue is raising questions of poor taste.
John Williamson, Conservative M...
The Tories are celebrating the end of the long-gun registry on Thursday (though not in Quebec), but one MP's speech on the issue is raising questions of poor taste.
John Williamson, Conservative M...
QUEBEC - With the clock ticking down on the federal long-gun registry, the Quebec government has taken legal action to save its data.The province announced...
I hope all intelligent Canadian can stomach three more years of this vomitus party in power which never fails to conduct itself in a shameful manner almost on every issue.
Northern_Pat: I hope all intelligent Canadian can stomach three more years
A lot of gun owners, myself included, have no problem registering their guns. We have a problem with an ineffective 2 Billion dollar registry. Why not register guns where we register our cars and trucks or better yet where we register our boats, it's Federal and does not cost 2 billion dollars.
dread: A lot of gun owners, myself included, have no problem
That's certainly the most sensible post on the registry to date.
I couldn't understand the high price tag, either. At the time the scandal broke, I remarked to friends that with a couple of PCs and a few part-time workers, I could have done the job myself out of my basement, in a lot less time.
arkymorgan: That's certainly the most sensible post on the registry to
I don't know if registering guns helps to prevent crime. Anybody here?
I do know that mandatory minimum sentences DO NOT prevent crime.
I also know that gun registries help SOLVE crimes. Just ask any police officer.
Sometimes I just get so damned confused, you know?
ochaye: I don't know if registering guns helps to prevent crime.
What gun laws do help with is making sure people keep their guns secured, not left around where the weird relative, antisocial neighbour, drunk and angry teen, or casual snooper can grab it.
Most people have common sense. For the rest, and for the criminally lazy, fear of getting slapped with a big fine or criminal charge makes them do what they should.
MJinCanada: What gun laws do help with is making sure people
Here's a point though; the gun registry cost at least 1.5 Billion dollars. For that amount of money, the gov't could have bought every single one of Canada's 3 million licensed gun owners a very nice $200 gun locker.................and had $900 million left over.
Naw.......better to harass them to death.
colpy: The safe storage laws are still in place. Here's a
In a country where there is a true media presence, these pathetic comments would be played repeatedly with appropriate commentary. Imagine if this occurred in the US. There would be outrage!
The HuffPost should be sure that these types of stories stay active.
And thankfully at least Quebec is honest and pragmatic enough to know that registering guns makes sense. Especially when we compare the rules to our cars and pets! We need a middle ground in Canada.
hlkimkw: In a country where there is a true media presence,
the thing is, the only media similar to the US style is sun news, and they'd play the clip over and over again if it was something mocking anyone other than the conservatives. The rest of the media play more fair and don't do that kind of hysterical reporting. Which is why sun news is brainwashing the conservative base. if you go to their website it's like some alternate news world where everything cbc is evil. They tell their listeners that constantly. They also don't tell their listeners anything negative about the conservatives.
DeeW: the thing is, the only media similar to the US
Sun Media is the darling of the CONservatives...their propaganda network. FOX news has come to Canada and the trolls listen to it ceaselessly because then they do not have to do any critical thinking. Truly disgusting.
lillianvoter: Sun Media is the darling of the CONservatives...their propaganda network.
"Early morning, April 4, a shot rings out in the Memphis sky." Many Canadians know this date from a song by U2. This statement was made the day after the anniversary of Dr. King's assassination. This man, who was at university in Montreal on December 6, 1989, was the Director of Communications for Prime Minister Harper. Truly reflective of how low they will go, that nothing appears to remain sacred. I have to ask myself, what more in the name of guns?
Robb_Oates: "Early morning, April 4, a shot rings out in the
That Conservative MP's use of MLK's speech displays his lack of judgment and education. It's going to help maintain the cons polling in the low 30% range.
If he could have, and he probably can't, make a reasoned policy statement on how the long gun registry has failed Canadians he might have gotten the attention of the swing voter who just sees a clown bellowing an emotion rant.
The Liberals blew it, and I am one, because they didn't take into account the vast number of rural citizens who grew up with firearms. I was rural but we didn't have guns. It was bad law and a complex issue. Doing nothing in the face of mass shootings or suicide bombings is not an option. Public safety does call upon responsible people to be involved in the safety of their surroundings. But who wants to live in a sterile do as your told world? You see a crime you call the cops, you see an unstable person with a gun do the same. Just pray the cops and mental health workers are professional enough to overt a disaster that will hurt many family's.
Anthony_Sinn: That Conservative MP's use of MLK's speech displays his lack
The Globe and Mail and CBC will allow people to say anything they want even if it breaks the user agreements they sign to become a member. Keep in mind web sites are run by private interests the same as retail outlets. They can allow or not allow customers to enter their premises.
People are free to start their own web sites and blogs. Facebook will also allow the most vile forms of speech promoting racism, rape and homophobia.
Anthony_Sinn: The Globe and Mail and CBC will allow people to
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The Huffington Post Canada | By Michael Bolen Posted: 04/ 5/2012 2:19 pm Updated: 04/ 5/2012 2:25 pm