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Federal government firearms bill overview:
- Who: The minority Liberal government has — with the consent of Opposition Conservatives, the NDP, and Bloc Québécois committee members — withdrawn a motion suggesting amendments to the proposed firearms bill C-21.
- Why: The changes would have expanded on what it meant to be a “prohibited weapon” and addeded more guns to a list of banned weapons.
- Where: Canada.
The federal government has decided not to implement changes it had planned to make as part of its proposed firearms bill, C-21, after it faced backlash from opposition parties, Indigenous leaders, gun advocates, and hunters.
The minority Liberal government’s proposed firearms bill aims to ban assault-style rifles, reports Law360.
Critics of the bill have argued, however, that C-21 was also taking aim at shotguns and hunting rifles. The planned amendments had reportedly sought to expand on what it meant to be a “prohibited weapon.”
The decision to withdraw a motion to amend the proposed bill was made earlier this month at the House of Commons Public Safety and National Security Committee, reports Law360.
The minority Liberal government reportedly achieved unanimous consent from the official Opposition Conservatives — as well as NDP and Bloc Québécois committee members — to withdraw its motion to amend.
The federal government also agreed during the Feb. 3 committee not to continue under the C-21 bill with amendments it was expecting to propose that would have banned a number of additional guns, reports Law360.
NDP says Liberal’s amendments would not be in concert with original intention of Bill C-21
NDP’s MP Alistair MacGregor reportedly said during a question period during the committee that the amendments would deviate from the original intention of bill C-21 — to make Canadians feel safer and help put an end to handgun violence.
“Instead the Liberals introduced amendments (at committee) at the 11th hour that would make it harder for Indigenous people, farmers and hunters to support their families and put food on their table,” MacGregor said, reports Law360.
Liberal MP Pam Damoff reportedly replied that the party was committed to taking action on gun violence, while acknowledging that “not enough consultation” had been done.
“There were not enough conversations with Indigenous peoples across the country, and that’s why we’re committed in our committee … to listening to the concerns, and to making sure that our legislation is one that will protect public safety and keep Canadians safe,” Damoff said, reports Law360.
In another case involving safety, the House of Commons proposed a report in Parliament in 2021 that sought to make it a crime to display coercive and controlling behavior in a domestic relationship.
Were you concerned about the proposed changes to Bill C-21? Let us know in the comments!
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