The federal authorities says it is going to convey ahead additional restrictions on long-gun magazines that might influence many searching firearms, though they aren’t included within the reintroduced Invoice C-21.
The unique Invoice C-21 launched in 2021 ordered a buyback of what the federal government calls “assault type rifles” and made it a legal offence to extend any journal’s capability past what’s at present lawful. That invoice was reintroduced this previous Could within the wake of a US faculty taking pictures with, amongst different issues, the federal authorities including a freeze on handgun gross sales.
This was accompanied by signalling from Public Security Canada that “the everlasting alteration of long-gun magazines in order that they’ll by no means maintain greater than 5 rounds and prohibit the sale and switch of magazines able to holding greater than the authorized variety of bullets” is coming.
Earlier journal capability restrictions solely utilized to centrefire semi-automatics.
Hunters affected
“This invoice is one more instance of the federal authorities lacking the mark when creating new firearms laws,” Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) Senior Advisor, Neighborhood and Companion Relations, Brian McRae, mentioned. “Extra laws that targets authorized firearms homeowners does completely nothing to handle the core points round crime and the actual issues that result in gun violence in Canada. This laws may have no impact in anyway on crime on this nation. The mistaken individuals are as soon as once more getting caught up on this.”
He’s particularly involved concerning the impacts on hunters. “You’re seeing coast-to-coast mainstream media headings about how the proposal focuses on the shopping for, promoting, and transferring of handguns, however when you dig somewhat deeper, you’ll discover many different features and measures throughout the invoice that produce other implications that are worrisome for our membership and the higher firearms group,” McRae mentioned.
His worry is that the journal restrictions might come quickly via rules that will not come earlier than Parliament.
“With this invoice comes a really robust sign from authorities, that further rules can be coming, and doubtless ahead of later,” McRae mentioned. “The federal government has indicated their intention to implement measures that may severely influence lengthy weapons with a requirement to completely alter all long-gun mags in order that they’ll by no means once more maintain greater than 5 rounds. This may have large implications for the searching and leisure taking pictures group.”
As an example, the minimal journal capability of a present Winchester Mannequin 94 lever motion .30- 30 is six, and most fashions maintain seven cartridges. Most .22 rimfire weapons of all actions additionally maintain greater than 5.
Extra rules to come back
Requested for extra about proposed journal restrictions, Public Security Canada spokesperson Magali Deussing mentioned, “As a part of its complete technique to maintain communities protected from gun violence, and in step with Minister Mendicino’s mandate letter, the federal government intends to convey ahead rules that may require the everlasting alteration of huge capability magazines in order that they’ll by no means maintain greater than 5 rounds, and prohibit the sale and switch of magazines able to holding greater than the authorized variety of bullets.”
Extra data on these adjustments can be out there later, Deussing mentioned.
The OFAH doesn’t plan to let up on advocating towards the laws.
“We have now to proceed to implore the federal government to handle the actual points on this matter,” McRae mentioned. “Actual, tangible actions and investments aimed on the root causes of violence are badly wanted to see any measurable change within the points which plague our society. The continued concentrate on licensed firearms homeowners shouldn’t be the reply.”
