Home Newsroom 2006 News releases 2006-06-19: Canada’s new Government fulfills commitment to abolish the long-gun registry

Canada’s new Government fulfills commitment to abolish the long-gun registry

Ottawa, June 19, 2006 -- Today in the House of Commons, the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, tabled legislative amendments to free Canadians from the requirement to register their non-restricted firearms.

“Canada’s new government is keeping its promise to scrap the long-gun registry. We will focus on effective measures of tackling crime that will protect families and communities,” said Minister Day. “Counting and tracking every long-gun in Canada has been ineffective and costly, and has distressed law-abiding taxpayers who must complete endless amounts of paperwork.”

The proposed legislation will:

• repeal the requirement to register non-restricted long-guns; and
• require firearms retailers to record all sales transactions of non-restricted firearms.

Individuals will still be required to have a valid firearms license, go through police background checks and safety training, in order to purchase or possess firearms and to purchase ammunition. Individuals will also continue to be required to register prohibited and restricted firearms, such as handguns. Through a quick background check, our police officers will be able to determine who is in legal possession of firearms and who is not.

See also:

• Backgrounder: Legislative changes to the Firearms Act and Criminal Code introduced in Parliament
• Highlights: The long-gun registry: Costs and crime statistics
• Bill C-21: An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Firearms Act (non-registration of firearms that are neither prohibited nor restricted) - First reading June 19, 2006

For further information:

Media Relations
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada
(613) 991-0657

Mélisa Leclerc
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Stockwell Day
Minister of Public Safety
(613) 991-2863