Mike Bossio wants to see some changes to proposed federal gun laws before they’re passed.
This comes after the MP for Hastings-Lennox and Addington heard concerns about the legislation from North Hastings residents during a meeting at the Bancroft Fish and Game Club tonight. Bossio says the government is considering the laws to target gangs and crack down on guns crossing the border illegally.
But residents in attendance were concerned about a few of the measures. The main concern is that, if the law passes, the RCMP would get to determine which guns should be prohibited, instead of an independent panel of experts. These decisions couldn’t be changed by future governments. Bossio says he doesn’t have a problem with the RCMP making these decisions so long as there is an independent body to appeal to.
Another concern expressed was about potential limitations to ‘Authorization to Transport’ laws, or ATTs. This would see gun owners only be allowed to move their firearms from their homes to the range and back, unless they had permission from a chief firearm officer. Bossio says he would like to see the proposed legislation amended to allow owners to also travel to get their firearms fixed.
The proposed legislation would also require a lifetime background check for criminal violence or mental illness to be done on anyone who wants to buy a gun. Bossio says he thinks this is an important piece to the legislation if the person does have a history of violence of mental illness. But, he also says those who have one-off incidents of violence or those who have had their mental illnesses treated would still be allowed to buy firearms.
Bossio says he is unsure if there will be increased penalties for those who disobey the gun laws if they are passed.
The MP says he will take suggestions from the meeting to the federal government in the hopes some of the proposed gun laws will be amended before they’re passed. He says he is looking for amendments that would minimize the impact on legal gun owners, but have the maximum effect on increasing public safety.
The President of the Bancroft Fish and Game Club will be passing these recommendations onto Bossio. Paul Goggan says he thinks some positive suggestions came out of tonight’s meeting, and hopes the local MP will be able to influence changes to the legislation. If you have concerns you would like to put forward on the issue, you can email [email protected].
