It has been more than a decade since a Liberal government brought in the long gun registry, which was supposed to protect Canadians from violent offenders using guns to commit crimes. Instead, the registry has been a costly and ineffectual burden to the Canadian taxpayer, while doing nothing to protect public safety.On April 8, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.), its provincial affiliates, and industry partners across Canada, launched a national online petition calling for the repeal of the long gun registry. Canadians are invited to visit www.scrapthelonggunregistry.com to participate.“For the first time in years, we have a government in Ottawa that recognizes the failings of this badly flawed system. It is critical that Canadian taxpayers act quickly and decisively to let this government know that they want to channel their hard-earned tax dollars into more effective ways of preventing crime and protecting our communities,” said O.F.A.H. Executive Director Mike Reader.
“This is not about leaving Canadians unprotected. Our members understand the importance of public safety,” added Reader. “This is about getting rid of a program that has failed to prevent gun crime, because criminals do not register firearms, and never will. The long gun registry, which was supposed to cost no more than $2 million dollars, has cost Canadian taxpayers almost $2 billion dollars, yet has done nothing to stop gun crime and has instead victimized legal, law-abiding licensed hunters, farmers and recreational sports shooters.”
The O.F.A.H. supports directing tax dollars toward initiatives that work to reduce crime and protect Canadians from violent offenders, such as social programs, better border security, increased police presence where it is needed, and a registry to track high-risk offenders, something that is not currently done.
With over 100,000 members, subscribers and supporters, and 655 member clubs, the O.F.A.H. is the largest nonprofit, charitable, fishing, hunting and conservation-based organization in Ontario, and the voice of anglers and hunters. For more information, visit www.ofah.org.
To view and sign the petition to scrap the long gun registry, visit www.scrapthelonggunregistry.com