Letter to the Minister of Public Safety, September 9

Dear Minister Blaney:
Subject: Repeal of the former Restricted Weapons Orders 1 and 2:
Canada’s National Firearms Association requests that the Conservative government remove the legislative restrictions in the Firearms Act and its related regulations that affect modern sporting long firearms by classing them as restricted, when they should properly be returned to non-restricted status.

In particular, I am referring to the pressing need to rescind the former Restricted Weapons Orders that affect first, “The firearms of the designs commonly known as the High Standard Model 10, Series A Shotgun and the High Model 10, Series B shotgun and any variants or modified versions of them.” And second, “The firearms of the design commonly known as the M-16 rifle, and any variant or modified version of it, including the

(a) Colt AR-15;
(b) Colt AR-15 SPI;
(c) Colt AR-15 Sporter;
(d) Colt AR-15 Collapsible Stock Model;
(e) Colt AR-15 A2;
(f) Colt AR-15 A2 Carbine;
(g) Colt AR-15 A2 Government Model Rifle;
(h) Colt AR-15 A2 Government Model Target Rifle;
(i) Colt AR-15 A2 Government Model Carbine;
(j) Colt AR-15 A2 Sporter II;
(k) Colt AR-15 A2 H-BAR;
(l) Colt AR-15 A2 Delta H-BAR;
(m) Colt AR-15 A2 Delta H-BAR Match;
(n) Colt AR-15 9mm Carbine;
(o) Armalite AR-15;
(p) AAI M15;
(q) AP74;
(r) EAC J-15;
(s) PWA Commando;
(t) SGW XM15A;
(u) SGW CAR-AR;
(v) SWD AR-15; and
(w) any 22-calibre rimfire variant, including the
(i) Mitchell M-16A-1/22,
(ii) Mitchell M-16/22,
(iii) Mitchell CAR-15/22, and
(iv) AP74 Auto Rifle.

Canada’s National Firearms Association supports allowing firearms owners to make use of, and sell their firearms property regardless of classification. Thus, there should not be a category of restricted long arms that specifically targets the most popular and widely sold modern sporting firearms in North America, especially the firearm commonly known as the AR (Armalite) 15 and its variants. These firearms should never have been made restricted and should be returned to non-restricted status.

Currently this specific restricted classification prevents owners of these popular modern sporting firearms from using them for such practices as hunting. This restricted list does not provide any protection whatsoever to public safety and it is based upon a false assumption that limiting access and eliminating lawful use of these very popular military-looking firearms will somehow prevent crime. Separate peer-reviewed research by Professor Caillin Langman, PhD, MD and Professors Gary Mauser and John Lott, Jr. indicates that the reverse is true – widespread access to firearms by lawful citizens provides a general deterrent to criminal activity. Laws regarding possession and use of particular types of firearm do not have any effect whatsoever upon the use of those firearms by those seeking to do ill, and should not hamper innocent firearms enthusiasts from fully enjoying and making use of their property.

In addition, many other firearms, especially popular civilian versions with military appearance are currently classified as prohibited or restricted primarily due to their cosmetic looks rather than because of any other factor and thus should be returned to non-restricted status.
Administering this regulatory requirement provides a significant administrative burden on the government and taxpayer, as well as a potential criminal liability on otherwise innocent people who would use such items for the sporting purposes that they were intended.

I ask that your government take steps to repeal this specific Restricted Firearms list and restore the ability of Canadian firearms owners to make full use of their own property. Our representatives would be happy to meet and discuss this matter with you and your staff. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

 
Yours truly,

Sheldon Clare, MA

President – Canada’s National Firearms Association