Letter to the Editor: Canada Firearms Centre's commitment to public safety
November 1, 2004
National Post
1450 Don Mills Rd., Ste 300
Toronto, ON M3B 3R5
To the Editor,
A November 1, 2004 article in the National Post omitted some important
information on the Firearms Program and its commitment to public safety
education.
The entire Canadian Firearms Program is about public safety. Through its
Licensing Directorate, the Canada Firearms Centre is responsible for the
development of national standards and policies to enhance public safety
including, for example, the development, evaluation and revision of the Canadian
Firearms Safety Course, as well as guidelines for the safe construction and
operation of shooting ranges.
To be eligible for a firearms licence, applicants must have passed the
Canadian Firearms Safety Course unless a provincial Chief Firearms Officer has
otherwise certified that the applicant has the required knowledge of firearm
laws and safe-handling practices. In 2003 alone, almost 30,000 Canadians took
the course. The feedback from participants has been very positive. In fact, a
few months ago, a major firearm association in the U.S. invited Canadian
instructors to present the course to some of their members because they were
impressed by the content and high standards set by the Canadian Firearms Safety
Course. The CAFC is currently working with New Brunswick to develop a pilot
project to provide an on-line "home study" version of the course.
The Chief Firearms Officers for each province are responsible for the
implementation and delivery of the Canadian Firearms Safety Program in
accordance with the Canada Firearms Centre's safety standards and policies. In
addition to delivering the Canadian Firearms Safety Course, the Chief Firearms
Officers and other officials are engaged in a variety of communications,
consultations and outreach initiatives to educate the public about the safe use
of firearms.
The Canada Firearms Centre remains committed to working with all
jurisdictions and with individuals and groups delivering the Canadian Firearms
Safety Course in communities to promote firearm safety at every available
opportunity.
Thomas Markus Vares
Communications Advisor
Canada Firearms Centre
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