Below is a copy of the press release
issued at 10am on March 11, 2001 at
the Western Canada Firearms Summit.
_____________________________________________
Western Canada Firearms Summit
480 Russell Cres., Swift Current, Sask., S9H 4S7
e-mail: giller@sk.sympatico.ca
March 11, 2001 - Western Canada Firearms Summit
Firearms Groups Conclude Federal Firearms Legislation Dismal
Failure
"The firearms legislation has failed" was the unanimous
conclusion of the
Western Canada Firearms Summit delegates from 30 organizations
representing
over 250,000 members, in Saskatoon, March 9 B 11.
Delegates cited examples such as Privacy Commission concerns and
exorbitant
costs (including being $145 million over budget in the first
three months
of operation in fiscal year 2000/01).
"The massive non-compliance experienced in the recent
licensing initiative
is only the tip of the ice-berg compared to what will happen if
they try to
impose registration of long-arms" said Illerbrun.
"Handgun registration
has been a fact since 1934 in Canada, yet the federal government
cannot
demonstrate that it has reduced or solved crimes. We want
the federal
government to prove to the Canadian public what useful purpose
registering
long arms will serve."
Firearms Community representatives noted that their ranks have
grown and
organizations which were previously autonomous have united with
the goal to
replace the current firearms act.
Our memberships are telling us that they will not comply as long
as they
are being treated as suspects or made criminals through no
illegal action,
delegates stated.
Responding to proposals by the federal government to privatise
the firearms
licensing and registration process delegates confirmed that they
utilize
their international affiliations to initiate a multi-national
boycott of
any private company seeking to assist the federal government in
implementation of the current act.
Delegates at the Western Canada Firearms Summit unanimously
endorsed a plan
of action. Efforts will focus on replacing Bill C-68 with
legislation that
reduces crime, saves lives and contributes to public safety.
"The debate is not over, we are united, strong and will not
waver in our
determination to see this legislation rescinded and replaced with
a process
that is acceptable to the firearms owners of Canada."
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30
For More Information:
Larry Luzny Greg Illerbrun
lluzny@cableregina.com
giller@sk.sympatico.ca
Tel: (306) 543-7599 Tel: (306) 773-1326
Fax: (306) 949-9072 Fax: (306) 773-0733
Below is the press release
issued by the Western Canada Firearms Summit on
Saturday, March 10, 2001 at 3pm.
______________________________________
Press Release
Western Canada Firearms Summit
480 Russell Cres., Swift Current, Sask., S9H 4S7
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
March 9-11, 2001
Summary of the Western Canada Firearms Summit
The Western Canada Firearms Summit (WCFS) in Saskatoon is drawing
to a
conclusion tomorrow. This meeting has made a profound difference
in the
campaign to focus attention on the implementation of gun control
in Canada.
This event, organized by the Recreational Firearms Community of
Saskatchewan (RFC-Sask), brought together leaders of
approximately 30
pro-firearms groups (representing 100,000+ firearms enthusiasts)
and
interested parties from across Canada. The delegates representing
100,000+
firearms enthusiasts indicated the fight against gun registration
is far
from over.
There was general agreement that Bill C-68 is a costly,
ineffective, and
onerous piece of legislation that will do nothing to reduce crime.
The participants seriously engaged in discussion of the Western
Canada
Firearms Summit's core themes:
- Public Safety
- Privatization of the Canadian Firearms Centre.
- Costs of Implementation of the Firearms Act.
- Updates from Police and Government Representatives.
- Licensing Requirements.
- Registration of Firearms.
- Lack of Federal Government consultation with Provinces and the
Firearms
Community.
The Summit started off with presentations by the following people:
- Government of Saskatchewan - Pat Lorje
- Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations - Howard McMaster
- Canadian Police Association - Grant Orbst
- Edmonton Police Association - Al Bohachyk
- Canadian Alliance MP - Garry Breitkreuz
- Alberta Civil Liberties Association - F.L.(Ted) Morton
The general focus of the presentations was to inform the
delegates of the
present situation relating to gun registration and the
implementation of
the Firearms Act within Canada.
After the presentations, the leaders initiated an afternoon of
discussion
to develop action plans to address their concerns with the
Firearms Act,
and it's implementation by the Federal Government.
A number of areas of common interest became evident during the
Summit. The
delegates from the Western Canada Firearms Summit agree on the
following:
1) Public Safety -
- We, the delegates of the WFCS support safe handling, storage
and training
of firearms. Public safety efforts should focus on criminal use,
not legal
ownership of firearms.
2) Costs -
Government of Canada, Department of Justice crime fighting
priorities are
the following:
Asian organized crime,
bike gangs,
Eastern European organized crime,
traditional organized crime,
Aboriginal organized crime organizations
and Child Pornography.
At present the Department of Justice spends a total allocation of
approximately $1 per capita, per year, on all of these priorities.
By comparison, the Minister of Justice has been on record as
stating that
the public safety benefits of the Firearms Act are a bargain at $3
per
capital, per year.
Is this money well spent? Is the public being served? Do you feel
safe?
Are criminals worried? The delegates of the WCFS believe that
these monies
would be better spent on healthcare, education, public
infrastructure, more
law enforcement, and addressing the root causes of crime.
3) Enforcement of Penalties -
The delegates of the WCFS support the diligent enforcement and
strengthening at laws aimed at curbing violent crime.
4) Registration -
The delegates of the WCFS do not support registration of non-restricted
firearms in any way. The reason for this unified position is:
- There is no evidence that registration will solve or prevent
crimes.
(For example, since 1934 Canada has mandatory registration of
handguns.
Handgun registration clearly has not prevented or solved crimes.)
5) Privatization -
The delegates from the Western Canada Firearms Summit do not
support
privatization of the Canadian Firearms Centre for the following
reasons:
- No accountability - Release of Cost information, ATIP requests,
loss of
transparency to parliament
- Violations under the Privacy Act could occur
- No precedents for privatization of criminal code administration
- Privatization will remove the watchdog role of the RCMP.
- Database security (Privatization shortcuts will mean further
decreases
security from today's lax standards)
- Use of least cost labor - Call centre mentality will reduce
professionalism (employee turnover, lack of skills)
6) Firearms Owner Certification -
The delegates from the Western Canada Firearms Summit acknowledge
that a
number of policies pertaining to certification/licensing must be
developed
in consultation with the firearms community.
Components of this consultation would include the following
features
- There must be a re-affirmation of an individual's right to own
firearms
- The Federal Government must not criminalize firearms owners
- As the cost of the certification/licensing program is viewed by
the
Government of Canada as a public benefit, it must be provided at
no fee.
- Grandfathering options for existing owners
- New owners subject to minimum firearm safety standards, which
would be a
one-time process at no cost.
Summary:
The delegates of the WCFS are looking forward to the discussions
at the
upcoming CPA meeting in Ottawa, where the gun control issue will
be discussed.
As this issue is far from over, various groups are continuing the
fight,
against gun registration, on a number of fronts.
Benefits of the WCFS:
The Summit was a great opportunity for those participants to meet
one
another, share opinions, and send a clear message to the
Government of
Canada that the firearms community is united and determined not
to let this
matter die.
Groups that were in attendance:
Canadian Shooting Sports Association
Alberta Fish & Game League
Saskatoon Wildlife Federation
Canadian Alliance MP
Saskatchewan Police Association
Alberta Police Association
Canadian Police Association
Canadian Instititute for Legislative Action
South Sask. Safari Club
Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations
British Columbia Wildlife Federation
Law-Abiding Unregistered Firearm Users Association
Saskatchewan Outfitters Association
IPSC Canada
Saskatchewan Amateur Trapshooting Association
Saskatchewan Sporting Clays Association
Alberta Civil Liberties Association
Responsible Owners of Firearms (Alberta)
Recreational Firearm Owners (Yukon)
National Firearms Association
Recreational Firearm Owners (British Columbia)
Shooting Federation of Canada
Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation
Dominion of Canada Rifle Association
Saskatchewan Gun Collectors Association
Saskatchewan Handgun Association
Nipawin Fish and Game Association
Saskatchewan Small Bore Rifle Association
Saskatchewan Responsible Firearms Owners
Site
Western Canada Firearms Summit
Manitoba Room
Saskatoon Inn
2002 Airport Dr.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Canada
S7L 6M4
(306) 242-1440
Media information:
Contact:
Larry Luzny
lluzny@cableregina.com
Tel: (306) 543-7599
Fax: (306) 949-9072
or
Greg Illerbrun
giller@sk.sympatico.ca
Tel: (306) 773-1326
Fax: (306) 773-0733