Presentation on the effects of the New Firearms Legislation (Bill C-68) and regulations on the average firearms owner/user. by Austin Estabrooks, gunsmith range owner, founding member NBFA January 1997 INTRODUCTION Registration of firearms began in the 193O's when handguns were first required to be registered. A painfully labour intensive handwritten registration process has evolved into an electronic record of all, legal privately owned handguns and a number of recently restricted and prohibited long guns. This system is presently administered by the R.C.M.P., with the central registery located in Ottawa and access to the international security systems maintained by Interpol and other agencies. As early as the 1960's concern was expressed with the ability of one to conceal long guns. Barrel lenqths of unrestricted firearms were required to be no less than 18 inches in length with an overall weapon length of 26" being legislated. In 1978-79, legislation was introduced requiring persons to purchase a Firearms Acquistion Certificate in order to purchase long and short guns. In 1992, Bill C-17 brought in further requirements along with the necessity for people to successfully pass a firearms safety course. This requirement, a prequisite to become elgible for an F.A.C. in 1994. In 1995/96 further legislation in the form of Bill C-68 was introduced and passed by the Liberal majority in Ottawa. This new legislation would eventually require the registration of ALL firearms in Canada and the prohibition of all handguns of 25 and 32 caliber and all those handguns with barrel lengths of 4.14" or 105mm. According to the national registry, 553,000 handguns would be affected by this prohibition order and this represents 58% of all registered handguns in Canada at present. For the alleged reason of assisting the constabulary of Canada in making Canada a safer place to reside, and to arm Bill C-68 with lega1 teeth, draft regulations have been placed before the law-makers in Ottawa. Actually, these regulations are presently under review by a number of agencies and committees. BILLC-68 REGULATIONS The regulations address issues affecting both individual firearms owners and businesses; more specifically, these draft regulations deal with: 1. Fees payable under the Firearms Act (C-68) 2. Licensing of firearms owners. 3. The storage, display and transportation of firearms 4 . Authorization to transport restricted and prohibited firearms, 5. Authorization to carry restricted firearms and prohibited firearms for limited purpose, 6. Purchase of ammunition, 7 . Authorization to import and export firearms by businesses 8. Conditions for transferrlng firearms 9. The maintenance of records, 1O. Adaptation of regulations for Aborginal Peoples. Under the Firearms Act, every business and individual must obtain a license to possess or acquire a firearm. LICENCES AND FEES There are five (5) types of licenses for individuals: 1. Possession Only license (currently owned firearms) Fee $10 increasing to $45.00 in 1999 $60.00 in 2000 2. Possession and Acquistion License (non-restricted firearms, i.e. rifles and shotguns) $60.00 every five years . 3. Possession and Acquistion License (Restricted and prohibited firearms) $80.00 every five years 4. Possession license for Minors (less than eighteen years old) $10.OO for one year $20.00 for two years $30.00 for three years 5. Temporary borrowing license for non-resident $30 every 60 days 6. Customs confirmed declaration for visitors with own firearms $50 every 60 days License fees for businesses will depend largely on the nature of the enterprise. Those businesses which repair/sell restricted and prohibited firearns will pay greater fees than those dealing with non-restricted firearms. Licensing and registration for firearms owners will begin together early in 1998. You have until Jan 1, 2001 to obtain a firearms license and until Jan 1, 2003 to register ALL your firearms. FUNCTION OF LICENCES AND PREREQUISITES Licenses for individuals: Possession only license: Allows you to keep your existing firearms. For adults- 18 yrs+ Must apply before Jan 1, 2001. Possession and acquistion license: Allows you to purchase another firearm. For adults - 18 yrs + License to acquire a crossbow: For those over 18 yrs In addition to the fees for the above licenses I you must provide a photograph, a statement from a person who has known the applicant for at least three years or, Two people (other than spouse) sign a statement confirming the application is true and there are no saftey concerns- known the applicant for at least three years and the applicant must provide the current address and telephone number of every spouse or commom- law partner with whom he/she has lived with for the past two years. If the address and phone numbers are not known, the applicant must sign a statement to this effect. The photograph must view the applicants head and shoulders full front vlew and be at least 30mm (l.375") in length. The firearms Act requires individuals to take the Canadian Firearms Saftey Course and pass the tests to acquire a license and/or possess a firearm. You may: Challenge the course and pass the tests, Show a certificate stating you have already completed the course and passed the test. Show you have taken an equivalent course approved by the Attorney General of Manitoba or Quebec in 1993 or 1994, Have a chief firearms officer certify that you have adequate knowledge of safe handling and use of firearms and of the laws related to firearms. REGULATIONS FOR STORING, DISPLAY, TRANSPORTATION AND HANDLING, for individuals) The current requirements (Bill C-17) not change. Under current legislation, non-restricted firearms 1. Must be stored unloaded, 2. Must be locked up or deactivated, 3. Stored separately from ammunition. Restricted or prohibited firearms 1. Must be stored unloaded, 2, Must be locked with a trigger lock or other secure locking device and stored in a locked case cupboard or room, Or locked in a vault or other place specifically designed for maximum security. 3. Ammunition must be locked up separately or stored with the firearm in a vault or other locked space specifically designed for maximum security. Authorization to transport firearms will replace the old permit to transport. This process will be automated and there will be no fee for this authorization. Carrying restricted firearms will be issued to elegible persons who need firearms for their work, i.e. trappers (licensed and authorized), armoured truck personel and people who work in the remote wilderness. Under special circumstances and under close police scrutiny, special authorization can be issued to carry restricted firearms if their life or the life of someone in their care is in imminent danger from another person. This provision may be issued only if the police cannot provide adequate protection. REGULATIONS FOR ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES: The regulations will be applied in such a manner that respects the aboriginal way of life. The provisions that recognize communal ownership of firearms and special storage requirements will differ in remote wilderness areas such as out-post camps. Sustenance hunters and trappers, non aboriginal and aboriginal will be exempt from licensing and registration fees. PURCHASING FIREARMS: Once this system is operational the transfer or approval retail sales will be similar to obtaining approval for credit card purchases The retailer will "swipe" the purchaser's license and other relevant documents on a machine that is linked to the CANADIAN FIREARMS REGISTERY SYSTEM. Approval will be communicated back through this computer link. Once the transfer of a firearm takes place, registration certificate(s) wlll be issued to the new owner. PURCHASING AMMUNITION: By Jan 1, 2001, when you wish to purchase ammunition you will be required to have a license to possess a firearm. Until that date, the proposed regulations will allow you without this license to purchase ammunition using another approved form of identification- This document must show applicant's age and date of birth. Those under 18 Years will have to have a valid minor's permit if they do not have a license. REGULATIONS INSPECTIONS Those persons who own in excess of ten long guns or four restricted firearms must keep a valid up todate registry of their firearms securly kept and maintained. You are subject to inspection upon request by a police force between the hours of 7am and 9pm. If you deny them entry, a warrent for search and inspection may be sought and executed. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, I believe the Canadian Firearms Safety Course makes the participant more aware of the ever present potential for danger and injury, and this awareness creates responsibility The CFSC will bring you to a minimal level of understanding of this very complex and confusing legislation which some would argue is deliberately so designed. Only by understanding this law can you hope not to be charged for firearms offences if you own firearms. Only by understanding this law can you be effective in making sure this process works, and does not result in the end of privately owned firearms in Canada. Please endeavour to attend one of these courses presented by volunteer instructors, as 2700 New Brunswick have in 1996. Become a MORE AWARE AND RESPONSIBLE firearms owner and user.