Dear Tyler,
Canada has a long-standing tradition of using firearms for hunting and for recreational purposes. My grandfather was a farmer in Manitoba. He hunted ducks and geese and was an active member of Ducks Unlimited. I grew up in Fort McMurray where hunting is a part of the fabric of life for many.
So I understand the importance of firearms to law-abiding Canadians right across this country. Very often, firearms are cherished possessions with a great deal of sentimental value, invoking memories of our parents and grandparents.
I supported the Harper government’s decision to scrap the long-gun registry and, as Prime Minister, I will never institute another. I believe the current regulations we have regarding firearms are adequate but I think we can improve the regulatory system in the following ways:
We should recognize that guns are
personal property and should be treated as such by the government.
There is too much subjectivity in the classification system. It should be replaced with clear objective criteria to ensure certainty for gun owners.
Firearms classifications should not be the sole purview of the RCMP. Those decisions should be made by an organization made up of Canadian citizens including primarily those who use guns — farmers, sports shooters, and hunters — as well as law enforcement.
Gun licenses should be good for 10 years (from the current 5) to reduce the paperwork burden for law-abiding gun owners.
These are the policies that I will implement as Prime Minister.