Opposition continues to mount over a federal pilot project aimed at banning prohibited assault-style rifle firearms from gun owners.
The initial roll out is taking place in Nova Scotia, where demonstrations have already taken place.
Andrew Tomlinson with the PG Rod and Gun Club says the ban came into effect following the mass shootings in Nova Scotia dating back to 2020 where 22 people were killed.
“That person did not have a license and smuggled guns from the United States and that is the same problem we have today. If people owned an A-R 15 in 2020 and have had to have locked up ever since then, it has not caused a crime. It didn’t cause a crime then or even after that.”
Tomlinson added law-abiding firearms owners are being picked on and those that legally obtained AR-15’s should not be penalized.
“The RCMP stats show that legal firearms owners are not a threat to the public. We have owned these guns a long time in many cases, there are people far older than me who have owned AR 15’s for decades and statistically, we are not a problem.”
“It’s not really going to help crime. They are taking guns away from people who have licenses and have gone through the training program, applied for a license, have been screened by the RCMP and have used those firearms at the range or hunting or target shooting and sport shooting. Statistically, we are not the problem.”
In addition, there is some concern among firearm owners that even if they turn them in, there is no guarantee for compensation.”
“It is a federal election promise and is a billion dollar waste of money by the time it is done. Gangs and criminals are still running rampant an cash that could be used for health care and gang prevention and the information states that gun owners have to state a declaration. We would have to submit a list of everything if we own and are non-restricted if we want to get paid for them.”
“Even submitting the declaration doesn’t guarantee compensation. That leaves the firearms community questioning why should they bother? The values that are on the list that have been made public won’t fulfill the full value of the firearm when we bought. And it doesn’t include taxes when people bought them.”
Tomlinson adds the buyback program won’t do much in tackling crime or gang-related activity, which is where Ottawa needs to utilizie its time and resources.
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