OTTAWA – The federal government is eyeing a “clear, consistent” definition, to prohibit assault- style firearms through legislation, as it was suggested recently by the Nova Scotia mass shooting commission, says Marco Mendicino, the Minister of Public safety.
Mendicino, at the House of Commons public safety committee said, Liberals will abandon their approach of spelling out each make and verity of banned firearm in lengthy lists appended to the federal gun-control bill.
The government is committed to “Getting this Right” said Mendicino to the MP’s. Two months prior to his appearance the Liberals withdrew an amendment that would have spelled out in law, the various models that is stated by a ban on assault- style-guns.
The Liberals have praised the meaning as an evergreen measure that would be permanently engraved in the Legislation, and a regulation banned of some 1500 firearm variants, as well as several other flagged since then.
Last Winter MP’s spent hours exploring lists of firearms that would fall under the definition. A debate was conducted to find out exactly what was included and what was not, the definition applied only to some variations of certain models that met the criteria -Government considered guns are inappropriate for civilian use.
After weeks of criticism, the government pulled the measures from consideration from firearm advocates and conservative MP’s, who said the definition would ban most commonly used shotguns and hunting rifles.
At the committee meeting Mendicino said that “the list will not be brought back” Focus on an objective definition that will look at the physical characteristics so that it will be consistent, clear and upfront with gun owners and Canadians.
Ottawa should develop a standardized schedule of prohibited guns in the criminal code and reform the classification system for firearms, with an emphasis on consistency and simplicity.
However, Mendicino indicated to make a ban on assault style fireman’s, the government has taken steps to shift more responsibility onto the shoulders of firearms manufactures. Raquel Dancho, Conservative public safety critic said the entire gun bill should be simply withdrawn by the government.
