Outdoor Pursuits

As Canada inches closer to a federal election, firearms owners are wondering what the potential changes would be to firearm laws if a Conservative government is elected. Especially in light of the Liberal Party’s anti-firearms stance, a stance that has affected legal firearms owners across the entire country.

Conservative Party of Canada leader Pierre Poilievre has been vocally critical of the gun control measures implemented under Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party. His stance on gun control can be understood through public statements and the policy platforms of the Conservative Party, especially in response to what many in the firearms community view as Trudeau’s “attack” on law-abiding gun owners in the name of public safety, even though law-abiding firearms owners are of little threat to that same public safety.

Poilievre has promised to reverse many of the gun control measures introduced by Trudeau. This includes undoing the ban on over 1,500 models of firearms, which were labeled by the Liberals as “assault-style” weapons but are often used for sport shooting and hunting. Poilievre has publicly committed to ending what he describes as Trudeau’s “gun grab,” suggesting he would repeal laws that target legally owned firearms.

He has also emphasized the need to respect the rights of law-abiding hunters, farmers, and sport shooters and he has maintained a consistent message of protecting gun rights. He often questions the effectiveness and fairness of the Liberal’s gun control measures, arguing they do little to curb actual gun crime. He has also said that he will remove the handgun ban instituted under Bill C-21. This ban effectively froze the sale, purchase, and transfer of handguns in Canada. As the owner of a handgun, I find Bill C-21 to be highly offensive. For a couple of years I was “authorized to carry” a handgun on my trapline for wildlife protection. Of course, I had to take an “Authorization to Carry” course prior. After the course, I was considered safe enough to carry a handgun on my person but today that same handgun, a $750.00 .357 magnum, by my understanding, can only be sold or transferred to somebody “who holds an Authorization to Carry handguns; and individuals who train, compete or coach in a handgun shooting discipline that is on the programme of the International Olympic Committee or the International Paralympic Committee”. Good luck with that! Recouping my investment is practically not possible.

Poilievre has also spoken at various firearms rights events promising to introduce a “simplified classification system” for firearms, which would potentially make firearm laws less burdensome and more transparent for legal gun owners. But what exactly is this “simplified classification system” he talks about? From what I can tell, Poilievre’s system would aim to make the classification of firearms more transparent and simple with clear, objective criteria for classifying firearms, which would help firearms owners wanting to know which of their firearms have actually been banned—many simply are unsure. This would also reduce the risk of inadvertently becoming a criminal due to sudden reclassification.

A main criticism of the current Liberal system is its susceptibility to political whims via Orders in Council (OICs), where ministers can change the status of a firearm at will. Poilievre’s system would seek to remove this power, ensuring classifications are not altered based on political agendas. The Liberals are famous for attacking law-abiding gun owners in the name of seeking votes, knowing full-well their actions have little to do with public safety.

Under his proposal, firearms would likely remain in the three main categories:
● Prohibited: Including fully automatic weapons like machine guns, which are already banned in Canada.
● Restricted: Such as handguns, which require a more stringent licensing process.
● Non-Restricted: Including rifles and shotguns for hunting and sport shooting, with fewer restrictions on ownership.

Poilievre has mentioned forming a task force of First Nations hunters, farmers, border guards, police officers, and military veterans to help further define these categories, which would ensure that the classifications are acceptable to those who use firearms.

Will there be challenges? Of course! Some will argue that simplifying classification could be perceived as loosening gun control, raising concerns about public safety among those who advocate for tighter gun laws, like the Canadian Coalition for Gun Control and the PolySeSouvient’s of the country—expect a fight from these folks no matter what! They simply do not want to see guns in Canada.

Pierre Poilievre represents a clear challenge to Trudeau’s gun control policies by advocating for the rights of legal gun owners. With a federal election on the horizon, Canadian firearms owners are watching closely. Poilievre’s Conservative Party pledges to undo Trudeau’s Liberal gun control measures, offering a simpler classification system and emphasizing crime prevention over gun ownership restrictions. This could mean a significant shift back towards respecting legal gun owners’ rights in Canada.

For the previous Outdoor Pursuits article, click here.