May 02, 2020<\/p>\n
In concert with our other firearms organizations, Canada\u2019s National Firearms Association demands the immediate removal of Bill Blair as Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and further, a public inquiry into the rationale and actions leading to the recent sweeping firearms ban.<\/p>\n
Speaking from Prince George, BC, NFA President Sheldon Clare said, \u201cFrom our analysis of yesterday\u2019s regulation banning hundreds of thousands of semi-automatic firearms, and from the briefing with representatives from stakeholders, Public Safety, CBSA, Global Affairs, the R.C.M.P. and Justice, it is clear that the regulations were rushed through, and are ill-considered, unfair, and will cause harm.\u00a0 The Minister is either malicious or incompetent, and either reason warrants his dismissal.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe government has been arbitrary and vindictive in the way in which this was done.\u00a0 Last minute enabling changes to the law regarding what may and may not be classified are cause for grave concern about process and purpose,\u201d stated Sheldon Clare, President and CEO of the NFA.\u00a0 \u201cThese regulations were clearly a rush job, and possibly violated international agreements regarding notice of significant changes affecting international trade.\u00a0 The rationale for this action is highly suspect and simply unsupportable on the facts.\u00a0 There was no emergency here \u2013 this is clearly a matter of social engineering and ideology, rather than sensible public policy,\u201d Clare continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cFirearm business owners have told us that they are on the hook for millions of dollars of product which they can neither sell nor return due to US import\/export regulations. The Government made no arrangements with the US to return this unsold product. \u00a0The late Thursday closing of the transfer system caught many dealers and customers by surprise as money was exchanged but products were unable to change ownership.\u00a0 This meant unhappy people seeking refunds from ambushed stores.\u00a0 Further, the firearms selected for prohibition include many rifles which are well known to be suitable for hunting and sporting purposes.\u00a0 It is a lie to refer to these firearms as military grade weapons.\u00a0 They are simply modern sporting firearms of ergonomic design.\u00a0 The attack on historical relics and curios is also offensive.\u00a0\u00a0 This entire gun grab is based upon nothing more than ignorance and emotion \u2013 it clearly has nothing whatsoever to do with public safety.\u00a0 Exceptions for some groups of Canadians regarding firearms for hunting practices is also highly offensive and divisive.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring this time of economic crisis and pandemic, attacking firearms businesses and hundreds of thousands of ordinary Canadians who participate in hunting, target sports, collecting, as well as those who make a living providing protection and security is ill-considered and adds to our current economic disaster.\u00a0 It was clear to the NFA that while lists of what to ban had been considered for some time, the Liberal government has not fully considered the associated consequences, intended or not.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis radical and sweeping action serves only the politics of division \u2013 it in no way augments any aspect of public safety. In our opinion Minister Blair has bungled this file and the NFA calls for his immediate removal from the Public Safety portfolio.\u201d<\/p>\n
Clare concluded, \u201dThe NFA continues to communicate with its members, clubs, and businesses along with legal advisors to ensure we have all the information to make good decisions in the fight for our rights as we move forward.\u00a0\u00a0 In the meantime, the NFA advises all members to consult the regulations and the gazette, seek legal advice as needed, and to get involved in politics, right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Canada\u2019s National Firearms Association is this country\u2019s largest and most effective advocacy organization representing the interests of firearms owners and users. Canada’s National Firearms Association is the largest Canadian organization fighting for the rights of Canadian firearms users.\u00a0 NFA is a registered UN NGO with consultative status to ECOSOC.<\/p>\n
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For more information contact: May 02, 2020 In concert with our other firearms organizations, Canada\u2019s National Firearms Association demands the immediate removal of Bill Blair as Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8084,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\nBlair Hagen, Executive VP Communications, 604-753-8682 Blair@nfa.ca<\/a>
\nSheldon Clare, President, 250-981-1841 Sheldon@nfa.ca<\/a>
\nCanada’s NFA toll-free number – 1-877-818-0393
\nNFA Website: www.nfa.ca<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"