Press Releases 

Harper Government Brings Common Sense to Firearms Licensing

Back to Press Releases

Today, the Honourable Steven Blaney, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, announced the coming-into-force of an expanded Order Declaring an Amnesty Period (2014). This Order will ensure that law-abiding owners of CZ 858 or Swiss Arms family of rifles are now able to fully use their property.

Additionally, the Government of Canada announced its intention to table the Common Sense Firearms Licensing Act, which will:

• Merge the Possession Only License (POL) and the Possession and Acquisition License (PAL);
• Restrict the ability of Chief Firearms Officers to make arbitrary decisions;
• Create a grace period at the end of the five-year licence to stop people from immediately becoming criminalized for paperwork errors;
• End needless paperwork around Authorizations to Transport by making them a condition of a license;
• Require mandatory firearms safety courses for first-time gun owners; and
• Strengthen firearms prohibitions for those who are convicted of domestic violence offences.

Quick Facts

• The amnesty for law-abiding owners of the CZ 858 or Swiss Arms family of rifles will expire on March 14, 2016.
• The Order Declaring an Amnesty Period (2014) will allow owners of the impacted firearms to use their property.
• Intended amendments to the Firearms Act and Criminal Code would streamline licensing and eliminate red tape for law-abiding firearms owners.

Quotes

“The proposed legislation would streamline licensing and eliminate excessive red tape. It would also strengthen firearms prohibitions for those who are convicted of domestic violence offences. Public safety is our top priority, and our government will always stand up for the rights of law-abiding hunters, farmers and sport shooters.”

- Gerry Ritz, MP Battlefords-Lloydminster

For more information please visit www.publicsafety.gc.ca

-30-