BILL C-68 IS NOW LAW!
BUT IS THE ISSUE FINISHED?
WE DON'T THINK SO!
The New Brunswick Firearms Alliance Inc.
What can I do?
* Join the federal political party of your preference.
* Inform yourself of the very real problems with Bill C-68.
* Raise the sensitivity of political candidates to the ineffectiveness of this law
to achieve it's stated objectives:
the wasting of precious resources that could be used to solve
very real problems, and the effectiveness of this law to achieve unintended effects, plus
the erosion of civil liberties and the democratic process of which this so
called gun control legislation is but one example.
How can I get informed?
Write letters to the editor explaining the information you have found,
in your own words. COMMUNICATE!
Here's some of the information you will find:
Bill C-68 is not just about registering firearms it is also about...
1. Unilateral Prohibition Powers
Section 1 17. 15 of Bill C-68 grants the Minister of Justice through the Governor In Council the power to prohibit any firearm which.
In his opinion, is not reasonable for hunting and sporting: purposes.
This power is immune to parliamentary or judicial review.
2. Autocratic Regulatory Powers
Section 1 19(2) of Bill C-68 allows the Minister of Justice to make firearm regulations without Parliamentary review if the regulation, in
his opinion, is "immaterial", or "insubstantial" and under Section 119(3), if the regulation is "urgent".
3 Inspection Powers -Businesses
Section 102 of Bill C-68 permits an inspector to enter a business or any place other than a dwelling-house without a warrant at any
reasonable time if they believe that there are more than 10 firearms or a collection present. If however, under Section 104(1)(a) the
business is operated from the dwelling house, the portion of the house used for business
may be entered without a warrant. Evidence a crime has been committed is not required.
(Note: Police officers can and will be Inspectors pursuant to this legislation.)
Section 103 of Bill C-68 requires that every person found in the place of inspection provide the inspector with all reasonable assistance or
be subject to a criminal charge.
4 Inspection Powers -Dwellings
Section 104 of Bill C-68 states that an inspector cannot enter a dwelling-house to search for firearms or to ensure compliance with firearms
regulations without the "consent" of the "occupant". If consent is not given, 'a warrant can be obtained even though no evidence exists to
believe a crime has been committed or is about to be committed.
The intrusive nature of these provisions directly affect the civil liberties of firearms owners who under current Code
provisions,are protected from unwarranted searches. The requirement to provide reasonable assistance places an individual
in a position of self-incrimination. And, as "occupant' is not defined, the consent of a babysitter is sufficient to gain entry
into a home. This entry can occur without any reasonable belief that a crime has been committed.
5. Draconian penalties
Bill-C-68 provides three different penalties for failing to register a firearm:
(1) Maximum penalty.of a summary conviction procedure (six months and/or $2000 fine) Section 112 Firearms Act.
(2) Maximum term of imprisonment of 5 years or summary conviction - Section 91(1) Criminal Code.
(3) Maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years -Section 92(1) Criminal Code -knowingly neglect to register a firearm.
Previously there were no indictable offenses listed under the Criminal Code for a violation of a regulation pertaining to the legal
ownership of a firearm.
Despite what the Liberal Minister of Justice has said, Bill C-68 may bring about serious criminal repercussions for any Canadian who
deliberately or inadvertently fails to properly register a firearm.
Compare the ten year sentence for failing to register a firearm to the 10 year sentence given to Denis
Lortie for murdering three people in the Quebec Legislature.
THIS IS NOT JUSTICE!
REMEMBER THESE DATES:
1996: December 31, Last date for issue of Firearms Acquisition Certificates currently in use.
Certificates still valid for five years.
1997: January 1,(or when regs. are proclaimed) First Firearms Possession Certificates issued; valid for five years.
1998: January 1, First Firearms Registration Certificates issued; valid for life or until firearm sold, exported or destroyed.
1998: January 1, All firearms transactions must be reported to police.
2001: January 1, All firearms owners and/or users must have possession certificates
2003: January 1, All firearms now registered.
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