Proposed Changes to the Firearms Act

Proposed Changes to the Firearms Act 

Text of the Proposed Common Sense Firearms Act: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/1310785-commonsense-firearms-act-2014.html

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Silvercore Firearms Training

7198 Vantage Way Delta, BC V4G 1K7

604-940-7785

www.silvercore.ca

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Proposed Changes to the Firearms Act 

Text of the Proposed Common Sense Firearms Act: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/1310785-commonsense-firearms-act-2014.html

@Silvercore #Silvercore #Firearms #Training #BC #Canada

Sincerely,

Silvercore Firearms Training

7198 Vantage Way Delta, BC V4G 1K7

604-940-7785

www.silvercore.ca

https://plus.google.com/+SilvercoreCa

HERE ARE THE PROPOSED CHANGES. From the https://nfa.ca/

We will provide our opinion and position shortly.

Mandatory safety training

First-time licence applicants would be required to participate in the classroom component of the safety training courses and successfully complete the test, eliminating the possibility of individuals taking the test without participating in the training.

Firearms prohibition for domestic violence

The amendment would require courts to impose mandatory weapons prohibition orders when an offender is prosecuted by indictment and convicted of a violent offence committed against a current or former spouse, common-law partner, dating partner, child, parent or any other person who resides with them. For violent offences committed against these individuals when prosecuted by summary conviction, the court would be required to specifically consider imposing a prohibition order to a maximum of life, including upon first conviction.

In other words, a violent domestic assault conviction would result in a person being unable to legally own a firearm. Depending on how the person is prosecuted, the ban could be for life.

Grace period

A grace period would allow licence holders to retain, for a period of six months beyond the date on which their licence would have otherwise expired, lawful possession of their firearms without risking penalties for simply possessing their firearms. This is designed to assist lawful firearms owners who may face challenges with their license renewals. If a lawful firearms owner cannot complete his/her paperwork on time (for instance due to travel outside the country), they will not face potential criminal penalties during the grace period. All other privileges (for example, acquiring ammunition or additional firearms or using the firearm for hunting or target shooting) would be suspended until the licence is renewed. Violation of these restrictions could result in the licence being revoked. Should the licence not be renewed by the end of the extension period, possession privileges would expire and firearms could be seized.

Possession Only Licence (POL) to Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) conversion

The Possession Only Licence (POL) would be eliminated, leaving just one type of licence, the Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL). This clarifies and simplifies the licensing system. Approximately 600,000 valid POL holders would be provided with privileges to acquire firearms of the same class they are currently already authorized to possess. The physical replacement of a POL with a PAL would not be required until the natural expiry of the existing POL.

Authorizations to Transport (ATTs)

The amendment would eliminate the requirement to apply separately for an Authorization to Transport (ATT) in order to transport restricted and prohibited firearms for certain routine and lawful activities, including: 

travelling to shooting ranges for practice or competition;

returning to an individual’s home following Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) approval of the transfer of ownership; 

going to a gunsmith, a gun show or a Canadian port of exit; and

going to a peace officer or a CFO for verification, registration or disposal.

Information sharing on import

This amendment would allow the Canada Border Services Agency to share information regarding commercial imports of restricted and prohibited firearms with the RCMP Canadian Firearms Program. It would help to reduce the risk of such firearms being diverted to illicit markets. 

Power to prescribe the classes of firearms

The amendments to the Criminal Code would contain a definition for non-restricted firearms, which it currently does not, including authority to prescribe firearms as non-restricted. As well, the amendments would give the Governor in Council authority to prescribe firearms as restricted. This gives the Government the final say on classification decisions, following the receipt of independent expert advice.

This authority would be used in limited circumstances.

Discretionary authority

The amendment would make it clear that the discretionary authority provided to Chief Firearms Officers is subject to limit by regulation. The provision will assist in ensuring that Chief Firearms Officers provide clear reasons for their decisions and administrate regulations in a fair manner across jurisdictions.