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Long-gun registry records destroyed

Federal Conservatives keep their promise about getting rid of gun registry

Many hunters, ranchers, target shooters and collectors across Canada are welcoming the federal government's obliteration of long-gun registry records, in accordance with Parliament's Bill C-19.

Exeter Sporting Goods owner Jude Dion said it's a good move, as he believes the registry was an “ineffective use” of manpower and taxpayer's dollars.

“I think the money could have been better spent on medical [services], or on actual crime control, rather than spending it on you and me who are just law-abiding citizens. There's no sense in wasting money there.”

The B.C. Wildlife Federation (BCWF) had strongly protested the former federal long-gun registry, and is applauding Public Safety Minister Vic Toews' Nov. 1 announcement that, with the exception of Quebec, all records from the long-gun registry for non-restricted rifles and shot guns have now been destroyed.

"As one of the groups that opposed the long-gun registry since its inception, this is obviously great news for us," said BCWF president Bill Bosch.

When Parliament voted to abolish the registry on Feb. 15, Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Cathy McLeod said it was “great news” to see the end of the "wasteful, ineffective" registry, and that she believes most rural constituents agree with that sentiment.

“It's been very, very important to the communities in the Cariboo. It's been a commitment of our government for many, many years and certainly I know people were very anxious for this to happen and move forward.”

She added that for people in rural communities protecting family and livestock from predators, long guns are “an important tool” for how they keep their livestock safe.

The BCWF, along with colleagues in the firearms community across Canada, explained it has long worked with the federal Conservative government in support of the bill to amend the Criminal Code and Firearms Act.