SECU is set to vote on a motion Tuesday June 14th to approve regulations that will freeze handgun transfers. They have cited the run on handguns as reason to pass the motion immediately.
The run on handguns is basically over, with almost all transfers initiated.
However, 1000s of private transfers have yet to be initiated due to the complete failure of service at the CFP. Many of these private transfers involve collectible and vintage firearms from older sellers passing their property down to the next generation.
We must ensure that these firearms are transferred.
Let's pressure the committee members to study this regulation in accordance with fair democratic principles, specifically the NDP and Bloc members:
- Jim Carr (Lib)
- Paul Chiang (Lib)
- Pam Damoff (Lib)
- Ron McKinnon (Lib)
- Taleeb Noormohamed (Lib)
- Peter Schiefke (Lib)
- Kristina Michaud (Bloc)
- Alistair MacGregor (NDP)
- Raquel Dancho (Con)
- Dane Lloyd (Con)
- Doug Shipley (Con)
- Tako Van Popta (Con)
Everything must be done to stop this motion from passing before the summer break.
Consider calling or emailing the above members and highlighting the following:
- Inventory at retailers is already sold out, prematurely passing the regulation will not prevent a run on handguns
- Licensed individuals are not able to initiate private transfers given that the Canadian Firearms Program is overwhelmed
- These private transfers are made up of people trying to pass down collectible and vintage firearms of important historical importance
- Many sellers are pensioners and older folks on tight budgets trying to get fair market value for their collectibles before a freeze is implemented
Is it a long shot? Yes. Is it naive? Perhaps. But the issue of private transfers is being ignored outside the firearms community. We need to do whatever we can, before it's too late.
Update:
The June 14th committee meeting was canceled. Next meeting is scheduled for June 16th.
Update 2:
Week of June 20th is the last opportunity for SECU to approve the regulation. Minutes from the June 16th meeting have not been published.
During June 20th's Bill C-21 second reading debate, Liberals reference the failed attempt by the committee to approve the regulation on the 9th. (This seems to indicate that they are not going to pursue this motion again and want to use the failed attempt as political capital to paint the Conservatives as uncooperative.)
Update 3:
Last scheduled SECU meeting (June 23rd) is over. House has risen for the summer. Regulation will likely not pass until October.