Rick Igercich, President – Keynote Speaker At Burlington Range

Our president, Rick Igercich, was honored to serve as the keynote speaker at Range Burlington, the Burlington Rifle & Revolver Club Annual General Meeting. It was an incredible opportunity to discuss the ongoing challenges faced by the firearms community and highlight the National Firearms Association’s role in defending Canadian rights. We’re proud to stand with organizations like Range Burlington, working together to safeguard the future of shooting sports in Canada. Below is Igercich’s speech, where he expresses his thoughts on the importance of unity in the firearms community, our current struggles, and how Canada’s National Firearms Association is stepping up for law-abiding Canadian firearms owners:

Today, I want to address a matter that should concern all Canadians—the federal government’s ongoing effort to confiscate firearms from law-abiding citizens. More specifically, I want to discuss the recent announcements, financial mismanagement, the broader implications for our rights and public safety, and how organizations like Canada’s National Firearms Association are fighting back.

Confiscations to Begin by Mid-November
Dominic LeBlanc, the Liberal minister overseeing this ill-conceived crackdown, recently stated that firearms seizures from businesses would begin “in the next month or month and a half,” putting us at mid-November for the start of confiscations. The NFA, however, has been at the forefront of exposing the flaws in this plan. Since the May 2020 firearms prohibition, we have organized grassroots opposition, held information sessions, and provided legal support to affected businesses and individuals. As an organization dedicated to preserving the rights of lawful gun owners, the NFA has been tireless in countering these actions, and our collective efforts have delayed the government’s attempts.

Why It Matters
The Liberals have extended their confiscation deadline twice now, and despite their best efforts, it remains on track to fail. The NFA has been instrumental in mobilizing opposition at both institutional and local levels. With our national campaigns, including rallies, town halls, and media outreach, we’ve brought awareness to the public that this is not just about firearms; it’s about the erosion of our fundamental rights. We are standing up for hunters, sport shooters, collectors, and farmers—ordinary citizens who have done nothing wrong.
The NFA has always argued that this crackdown is a massive overreach. Together, we are making it harder for the government to impose these policies on law-abiding citizens.

Financial Mismanagement
Now, let’s talk about the financial disaster this so-called “buyback” program has become. Public Safety Canada has already spent $56.1 million on this program, and the RCMP has spent another $11 million, bringing the total cost to a staggering $67.2 million. And what do we have to show for it? Nothing but mismanagement and bureaucracy. The NFA has been vocal in criticizing this financial waste, regularly publishing reports and updates on how taxpayers’ money is being misused. We’ve worked to ensure that our members and the public know where their hard-earned money is going—and it’s not toward enhancing public safety.

The RCMP’s Troubling Record
While the federal government is busy trying to confiscate firearms from law-abiding citizens, the RCMP has lost hundreds of their own firearms. Since 2020, the NFA has been following this closely, providing the media and lawmakers with the data they need to expose this gross negligence. This isn’t just an embarrassing blunder; it is a direct threat to public safety, which makes the government’s focus on law-abiding firearms owners all the more ludicrous.

So What’s Next?
So, what’s the next step? The NFA is gearing up for the battle ahead. We know the government will begin targeting businesses in mid-November, but we’re prepared. We are ramping up our advocacy, providing legal advice, and expanding our outreach to ensure that every gun owner in this country knows their rights and how to fight back. When the government shifts its focus to individual gun owners, we will be there, standing beside each and every one of you, protecting your legal rights and property.