Parliament votes to end the registry

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Vote seals fate of gun registry

By: Don Martin
National Post

November 04, 2009


http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/11/04/don-martin-vote-seals-fate-of-gun-registry.aspx

It's as good as dead. Unless the Senate hums and haws to such excess that a writ drop kills the bill, the federal gun registry is on its way to extinction with all gunowner records destroyed. 

Backed by 21 MPs from the three opposition parties and a solid block of support from the Conservatives, the House of Commons voted 164 to 137 to endorse a bill abolishing the gun registry for final consideration at committee and ultimately the Senate.

It was a stronger endorsement of the MP Candace Hoeppner's private member bill, much more than even she had expected. What was supposed to be a squeaker became an all-party pile-on against a misguided, albeit well-meaning, mess that has cost taxpayers more than a billion dollars during its 11-year run.

Even the Senate would find itself tilting hard against the expressed intention of the House of Commons should it needlessly delay, modify or reject the bill.

Besides, the Red Chamber is getting close to a tie between Conservative and Liberal senators, so any delay could tip the balance of power toward the Conservatives and end any suspense about the result.

But what was even more surprising than the vote was the appearance of the swine flu's first facemask in the Commons. Exactly why this MP, whose face was not familiar to me, was sporting a mask is a matter of considerable speculation and concern on the Hill and I shall seek an answer asap. If he was voting while infected by H1N1, tomorrow will bring on demands for all MPs ill with the virus to stay away, no matter how important the vote.

National Post

[Angel_Eyes]

As Tommy Trinder used to say,,,,"You lucky people!"

AE

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Here is an editorial from earlier the day of the vote;  A longer version appeared in print.  It was anticipated that 10 opposition members would be needed to vote with the minority government on this private members bill.  In fact, 21 opposition MPs sided with us.  This bill affects only "long guns", and pistols will remain subject to registration.

It's time to put a bullet in the gun registry
Don Martin, Canwest News Service
Published: Wednesday, November 04, 2009

While proponents point to the falling crime rate as proof it has merit, serious crime rates are falling much faster in the United States where the right to bear arms is constitutionally guaranteed.

Police have warped its merits by recently showcasing a weapon seizure and wrongly boasting their haul was helped by the registry.

They also exaggerate law enforcement reliance on the registry by insisting police access it about 5,000 times a day, knowing full well every search of the Canadian Police Information Centre for any reason generates an automatic search of the firearms registry.
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There's lingering political sensitivity to axing the registry. Harper, for example, has promised to preserve the 290 Miramichi and Ottawa headquarters jobs at risk from the closure.

How? Why? The last thing this bloated, deficit-ridden government needs to do is preserve employees for eliminated jobs, particularly ones of dubious merit.

If the bill passes second reading, a billion-dollar loss for taxpayers and inconvenience for honest gun owners will finally move up the Parliament Hill it should die on.

dmartin@canwest.com


© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2009

   Here's the link;

http://www2.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/comment/story.html?id=7fcd9629-7bac-48c5-83c9-dbccda309b66&p=2

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Hello Pards;  Now is the time to let your MP know that parliament is finally doing something right.  KEEP THE PRESSURE ON!

Here is an online poll that a local radio station in Victoria is conducting;  If you feel like letting your voice be heard, log-on. This is the message forwarded to me by my shooting friend, cowboy action shooter, and NFA (National Firearms Association) rep

"Greetings all,

Our local radio station CFAX 1070 has a poll today about scrapping the long gun registry.  Here is the link if you want to take a second to go and vote.  Current score is 84% in favour of scrapping this tax draining white elephant ...

http://www.cfax1070.com/polls/index.php

Cheers,

Al"

[Jake MacReedy]

Sir Charles, et al:

Here's a hearty congratualtions to all my fellow shooters up North!  It is great to hear that your Parliament is doing something for the gun owners of Canada! 

From a Texas Pard,
Jake

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

As most of you know, the proposal to scrap the registry is going to a potentially hostile committee of Parliament.  I urge all of you to become active, and let supporters of the registry know our position very clearly.  Here is a letter from a friend providing an avenue to do that;

"Hello all,

For those who are interested in participating there is an online CTV poll about support (or lack of) for the long gun registry.  As of now the results were 92% against and 8% for.  It looks like this is an all week long poll.  You can go to the link below and add your vote if you'd like ...

CTV ON-LINE POLL - APRIL 26, 2010

http://www.ctv.ca/qp/

Thanks"

P.S;  It is now 7% for and 93% against!

[Russian]

Its too bad they don't vote based on the polls, cause this would be dead, dead DEAD!

Gotta keep putting pressure on the Libs and Dippers.....c'mon boys!

[Buffalo Creek Law Dog]

Iggy says that he is going to whip his members, hopefully Taliban Jack won't do the same thing or it's a lost cause.   However if Iggy's members refuse to be whipped and Jack leaves it alone, then the conservative dominated Senate will pass it forthwith ........fingers crossed.  Contacted my MP however, he is a rural farmer, pro gun conservative.  Talking to him is preaching to the converted.

[Russian]

Well I hope that they vote for their constituents and risk the political spanking.

Its not like they can get executed for not going along.  And they would look darn good to their own people if they stood up for things.  It would be a rare situation!

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

The "Aunties" are bringing in their big guns.  Several different police groups have gone public with their support of the long-gun registry.  As well, some victims groups have added their little voices of support.

[Buffalo Creek Law Dog]

Calgary's Chief of Police is publicly against the long gun registry, says it's useless.  He has been on radio, national TV and several large city newspapers telling folks the truth about how useless it is.

Can't wait for the vote.

[Shotgun Franklin]

I know very little about Canadian Gov't but I'd think that ya'll need to start a push for a Bill of Rights including a strong Right to Keep and Bear Arms.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

We tried in the debates leading to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, but failed.  I reality the battle was lost in 1689 with THE DECLARATION OF RIGHTS when a phrase was added to the right to keep and bear arms; - "...suitable to their conditions and as allowed by law."

It was not so much the aftermath of rebellion and civil war as the landed aristocracy's fear of poachers knocking off their game! Since then Judges have Kow-Towed to Parliament's right to monkey with what was "allowed by law."

Ref;  TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS, The Origins of an Anglo-American Right, 1994, Harvard University Press, Joyce Lee Malcolm, ISBN 0-674-89307-7

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I got this from my gunshopguy/NFA rep

"No great surprise here ...

Ignatieff Liberals Move to Derail Long-Gun Registry Bill ...


In a fit of Liberal arrogance, Michael Ignatieff's spokesman Mark Holland introduced a motion this afternoon at the Public Safety Committee to reject the bill that would end the wasteful and ineffective long-gun registry, essentially keeping the long-gun registry "as-is".

Ignatieff and Holland clearly are telling the constituents of Liberal MPs Scott Andrews, Larry Bagnell, Jean-Claude D'Amours, Wayne Easter, Keith Martin, Anthony Rota, Todd Russell, and Scott Simms is that their voices don't matter and they don't count.


But we shouldn't be surprised by this anti-democratic behaviour from Ignatieff and Holland.  After all, Holland arrogantly told a newspaper last fall "I don't think it's the business of Parliament to step in and get rid of (the long-gun registry)."  (Durham News, Nov. 12, 2009)


When it comes to the long-gun registry, you either vote to keep it or vote to scrap it, it's that simple.
Once again, this anti-democratic behaviour from Ignatieff, Holland and the Liberals proves that they aren't in it for Canadians.  They're just in it for themselves."

BTW;  That "shooting rampage" in Northwest England won`t help a bit!

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Here is a poll;

http://www.conservativefund.ca/CP1007/survey.php?rid=QTU34PY4R1GGPH0PY78RRLYM2D6BI22058&language=E

Please respond AND circulate as widely as possible.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

The sounds of tears and the wringing of hands are music to my ears


http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2010/08/17/long-gun-registry-cheliak.html

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Canadian Association of Police Chiefs are planning a crackdown on us gun owners to punish us for supporting the elimination of the long gun registry!


  Canada's National Firearms Association
Canada's most effective firearms organization
Box 52183, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2T5 Telephone: 780-439-1394
Toll Free: 1-877-818-0393 www.nfa.ca

For Immediate Release

OPERATION ZERO TOLERANCE

Zero Tolerance on Gun Control Abuses

Canada's National Firearms Association announces Operation Zero Tolerance to expose planned gun control abuses.  It has come to the attention of Canada's National Firearms Association that the political police chief heads of law enforcement associations are planning a nation wide blitz against licensed firearms owners, as retribution for the political action of the Canadian firearms community that has resulted in the final vote in parliament of Manitoba MP Candice Hoeppner's Bill C-391.

The Canadian Association of Police Chiefs (CAPC) has formed a "National Firearms Policy" in order to coordinate enforcement initiatives against licensed firearms owners with registered firearms.  Canada's National Firearms Association has information that CACP will be directing their members to clamp down on licensed firearms owners with registered firearms as punishment for their political action to reform bad firearms control laws.

* All paperwork offenses will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, despite the current limited federal government amnesty which ends in May 2011.

* Home inspections will be performed on an ever increasing basis on firearms owners with more than ten registered firearms, and all restricted and prohibited firearms owners.

* Registered firearms will be seized despite their legal use or status, with the onus put on their owners to navigate the firearms bureaucracy and legal system in order to retrieve them.  Furthermore, CACP will lobby for a national handgun ban, the confiscation of all registered handguns in Canada, and the reclassification of all semi automatic firearms as "Restricted" or "Prohibited" firearms.

CACP lobbyist Bill Blair's record as Chief of the Toronto Police Service is an indication of the treatment by law enforcement he wishes to impose on all Canadians. As Chief of Police, Bill Blair ordered Toronto Police Service to target senior citizens and confiscate their firearms for paperwork offenses, and conduct a campaign of harassment against anyone with a firearms license and a registered firearm.

Canada's National Firearms Association advises all firearms owners:

*Check the expiration date on your firearms license, and make sure it is valid. Allowing a firearms license to expire is a criminal offense subject to criminal code punishment, especially if you own restricted or grandfathered prohibited firearms. Allowing a firearms license to expire may result in the loss of your grandfathering privileges.

*Check your current firearms storage system. Read the Firearms Act and ensure that your firearms storage system complies or exceeds safe storage regulations.

*Review your current firearms transportation methods and check the expiration date on your authorizations to transport firearms in the case of restricted firearms and prohibited handguns. Make sure you are in full compliance or better with firearms transportation regulations.

*Contact the Canada Firearms Centre and ensure that your firearms registration records are complete and accurate. Make sure all of your transfers and acquisitions have been recorded correctly. If they are not, you will be held accountable, not the Canada Firearms Centre.


IF YOU HAVE BEEN TARGETED AND CHARGED UNDER THE POLITICAL POLICE CHIEF'S GUN BLITZ, CONTACT CANADA'S NATIONAL FIREARMS ASSOCIATION AT (877) 818 - 0393. or visit us on the web at: www.nfa.ca.   Each incident will be catalogued and brought to the attention of the Minister of Public Safety of Canada, to demonstrate the gun control agenda of the political police.


For more information contact:
Blair Hagen, Executive VP Communications, 604-753-8682, Blair@nfa.ca
Sheldon Clare, President, 250-981-1841, Sheldon@nfa.ca
www.nfa.ca
Canada's NFA toll-free number - 1-877-818-0393

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Here is the answer to the Canadian Association of Police Chiefs.  They are talking through their proverbial hats.

By: Lorne Gunther
Edmonton Journal
August 29th, 2010
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/Chiefs+case+long+registry+fails/3456383/story.html

Canada's police chiefs are conducting a full-court press to preserve the long-gun registry, the dismantling of which could begin with a vote in Parliament next month.

At their annual meeting here in Edmonton last Monday, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) insisted the registry was an invaluable police investigation tool and voted unanimously to recommend its preservation.

In doing so, they trotted out the usual canard about how police access the registry 11,000 times a day.

No, they don't -- at least they don't do so knowingly or deliberately.

If officers stop someone for speeding or shoplifting or drinking on a public street, and they run the alleged offender's name through their department's computer, it is likely that computer will also trigger a search of the gun registry to see whether the light-fingered speeder or street partier possesses firearms. But such indirect, inconsequential searches hardly prove the registry's usefulness in police's efforts to stop or catch criminals.

When pushed for practical examples of the registry's usefulness, Vancouver Chief Jim Chu came up with seven on Friday.

His first example involved a man named Eric Kirkpatrick, who in December of 2008 went to the Christmas party at a company that had fired him and murdered his former employer. A check of the registry database confirmed that the murder weapon was indeed registered to Kirkpatrick, along with a .22-calibre rifle not recovered at the crime scene. Chu said information obtained from the registry saved homicide investigators the chore of having to determine whether someone else -- perhaps an unknown owner of the murder weapon -- had been involved. They were also informed of Kirkpatrick's second gun.

Because of the long-gun registry, Chu explained, investigators were spared the chore of looking into the murder weapon's ownership and were able to prevent the .22 from falling into the wrong hands while Kirkpatrick was in custody, thus eliminating a potential threat to public safety.

Really? The $2 billion taxpayers have been made to spend on the registry is warranted because it saved Vancouver homicide detectives a few minutes or hours determining whether Kirkpatrick was the rightful owner of the shotgun he used to kill his former boss? And officers would never have recovered the .22 because without the registry they wouldn't have thought to search his home for other weapons?

Please. This justification is so weak it is an insult to the intelligence of Canadian voters.

The key point is, the registry did nothing to save the life of Kirkpatrick's victim, and that is how the intrusiveness and cost of the registry was sold to Canadians -- as a crime-prevention tool, not as a labour-saving device for paperwork weary detectives.

Chief Chu also explained how a shotgun seized in 2004 from a man accused of illegally hunting and trapping had taken six years to trace. Because the gun had been made in Brazil and never properly registered in Canada, investigators had little clue how it had come into the man's possession until Brazilian police responded to an Interpol request six years later. If it had been registered, Chu added, determining its source would have taken only seconds.

But the salient fact is, the poacher, who was prohibited by a court order from possessing firearms had nonetheless acquired the gun -- and seven others. Registry or no registry, an individual deemed by a judge as too dangerous to own guns had eight of them. Who cares where they had come from? Our national gun-control scheme did nothing to keep them out of his hands.

The chief also pointed to a home invasion in which the invader was shot and killed with a gun he brought with him. Because of the registry, police were save a "labour-intensive trace" to find the stolen gun's real owner.

Another example involved how the registry led Vancouver police to find a registered weapon that was unsafely stored under a bed, while yet another enabled them to determined that a licensed collector with 57 guns was indeed in legal possession of all of his firearms.

Whew! Sleep safe tonight Vancouverites, the registry is helping ensure that all the t's are crossed and i's dotted among non-threatening gun owners in your community.

Even the case of RCMP Chief Superintendent Marty Cheliak proves the registry's uselessness. Cheliak is the head of the registry who was recently reassigned for talking up its benefits. Many pundits have urged that Cheliak be listened to on the registry because he was in charge of the four officers murdered by James Roszko at Mayerthorpe in March 2005.

Once again, though, the registry did nothing to stop this horrendous massacre.

The public and front-line officers are not fooled. This week 72 per cent of Canadians told pollster Angus Reid they felt the registry had done nothing to prevent crime and 92 per cent of over 2,600 beat cops in an unscientific, online poll said they wanted it scrapped.

Let's hope MPs follow the practical, common-sense instincts of Canadians and front-line officers when they vote on Sept. 21 and not the political, bureaucratic pleading of the chiefs.

lgunter@shaw.ca

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Attached is a message from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.  They seemed to take a very active role in lobbying for us gun owners.

Please read it and email an MP of your choice;

http://www.taxpayer.com/node/10951?utm_source=Petition+Signers&utm_campaign=193bc305a1-LGR_Action_Update_General_07Sep109_7_2010&utm_medium=email

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

On September 22, "a motion in the House of Commons to kill private members Bill C-391 – that would abolish the wasteful long-gun registry – passed 153 to 151.  The CTF shares the disappointment and frustration of many Canadians with this outcome.   

Last November, we were successful in getting 21 Opposition MPs to vote alongside 143 government members to pass C-391 on second reading.  But the top-down-government-knows-best-elites in our country are a very powerful force.  Both Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff and NDP Leader Jack Layton along with a cabal of special interests managed to turn all but 7 of those 21 votes to support keeping the wasteful long gun registry."

The CTF were one of our bigger supporters.  I knew last week that there was a fifty/fifty split, but opposition whips persuaded a couple of them to return to party discipline.

Now, lets get behind our party and elect a majority.