Here's my email to them for anyone who wants to use it as a template. Maybe not as good as some folk's letters on here but feel free to use it if you wish.
I am very saddened today to see the government announce the prohibition on the AR15 and thousands of other rifles. This government claimed it was going to take an evidence based approach to making gun law, yet seems to have disregarded the evidence every step of the way. Numerous police agencies have come out against further gun control, recognizing that licensed gun owners are not the problem. The government's own report released before C71 was received royal assent said that strict gun control has not been shown to reduce crime. According to the government's own figures, at least 80% of guns used in crime are smuggled in from the US. The government seems to be using the recent tragedy in NS as an excuse to prohibit these rifles. While I am deeply saddened by the deranged and horrendous acts of this madman, it is an insult to the victims to use it to push an agenda. The man who committed this atrocity was already under a judicial firearms prohibition and did not have a firearms license. Furthermore, the RCMP have confirmed that the firearms he used were smuggled in from the US and purchased illegally. The RCMP have not yet released what types of firearms he used, so as of this moment, there is only ONE case in all of Canadian history where the AR15 was used in the commission of a crime and that firearm was not legally possessed, but stolen or smuggled into the country. Why is the government focusing so much on licensed gun owners while refusing to take steps to stem the flow of illegal firearms at the border? This government has passed laws (C75) reducing sentences for gang members and those who use firearms illegally, while simultaneously criminalizing licensed, law abiding citizens. This hardly seems like an evidence based approach to me. Canadian gun owners receive daily background checks and are three times LESS likely to commit a crime than the general population. Why is this government allowing criminals free reign to create carnage on our streets and terrorize our citizens while punishing a group of Canadians who are the most vetted citizens in the country?
This government has also repeatedly labelled the AR15 and other rifles as "assault rifles" that are only suitable as weapons of war designed for the military. Aside from the fact that no military in the world uses the AR15, I must ask, if the AR15 is a weapon of war, why do police need them? If this government truly believes these rifles are only suitable for war, then they must also believe police have absolutely no need for them either and should immediately prohibit police agencies from acquiring them. Police are not warfighters, they are domestic law enforcement officers whose job is to keep the peace. This claim that they are weapons of war is absolutely false. These rifles are perfectly suited for hunting and sporting purposes.
Not only am I troubled by the governments move to ban these rifles, but I am even more concerned about the manner in which it was done. Rather than introducing a bill in parliament to be debated by all parties, and be examined by committee with testimony from experts, this government chose to ban this rifles by the most undemocratic method possible, an Order in Council. No debate was held, no parties could voice their opposition, no experts could give testimony, just one bureaucrat making thousands of innocent citizens into criminals overnight. This is absolutely unacceptable in a democracy and is the type of action I would expect from a third world dictator of a banana republic, not a country that claims to be "Strong and Free". Not only that, but this government chose prohibit these rifles at a time when the country is on lockdown and no one can peacefully protest this undemocratic decision due to social distancing rules currently in place. Was this intentional? Legislation such as this should not be passed in the middle of a crises without any opportunity to debate or protest it. The democratic process MUST be respected.
Further I am concerned about the damage this OIC will do to the economy. The shooting sports industry contributes over one billion dollars annually to the Canadian economy. Our economy has been devastated by the shutdown from the corona virus crises and this government has just taken action that will further cripple the economy and put thousands of Canadians out of work and force hundreds of businesses to close. It is my understanding that this government was going to ensure a strong Canadian economy, yet this action will only further harm an economy that is barely hanging on by a thread.
In closing, I urge you to immediately rescind this undemocratic Order in Council and put forth any changes to Canada's firearms laws by introducing a bill in parliament where it can be debated in a manner consistent with a free and democratic country.
Sincerely,