http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/firearms-bill-amendments-to-cut-red-tape-unveiled-in-the-house-1.2789996

Firearms bill amendments to cut 'red tape' unveiled in the House

Changes previewed by Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney during July visit to shooting range

By Kady O'Malley, Janyce McGregor, CBC News Posted: Oct 07, 2014 10:02 AM ET Last Updated: Oct 07, 2014 3:13 PM ET

Attention Canadian gun owners: The Conservative government wants to lighten your load, at least as far as firearms-related paperwork is concerned.

• Gun owners may face less red tape, new responsibilities under proposed law

Long-awaited amendments to Canadian gun laws — including an extended amnesty for Swiss Arms rifles — were introduced in the House today by Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney.

"I heard one complaint this summer," Blaney said at his press conference outside the Commons. "Firearms law needed to make sense to the ordinary Canadian while keeping public safety as our top priority."

"There may be some gun owners who will be dissatisfied with the bill," he admitted. "What is our foremost concern is public safety, but we believe that the common sense measures that we are bringing forward to cut into red tape are balanced and we have received support from many organizations."

Just after tabling the bill, Blaney posed for a photo alongside several Conservative caucus colleagues, including Minister of State for Social Development Candice Bergen and MPs Roxanne James and Robert Sopuck, who have been active campaigners on behalf of gun owners in Canada.

"Good day for law abiding firearms owners," tweeted Bergen, who seconded the bill.