Courtesy of Canadian Press

By Ethan Ready

Gun Ban Repeal

Local MP endorses petition against gun ban

May 7, 2020 | 2:49 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – On Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the ban on assault-style firearms in Canada.

Since then, a petition that has garnered over 20,000 signatures is calling for the repeal of that very announcement made by Prime Minister Trudeau.

The petition, which has been endorsed by Cariboo-Prince George MP Todd Doherty, claims the ban has attacked lawful Canadian firearm owners.

“I think if we focus on where the real issue is, and that is providing mental health supports in all communities, also making sure we’re instituting stiffer penalties for this and providing more resources to our police and those on the frontlines against guns and gangs, I think that would be a far more sensible way of gun policy, rather than targeting law-abiding gun owners,” said Doherty in an interview with CKPGToday.ca.

Prince George resident Steve Hamilton launched the petition, stating in an email that, “every Canadian citizen should be outraged at how this was done. It was pushed through on the heels of a tragedy. The very foundation of our government is supposed to be about democratic debate and input.”

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Hamilton believes that the Order in Court was rushed and poorly written.

“This upsets gun owners because we know that this will not address the real issues. There is a lack of severe punishment for offenders and an unfortunate mental health crisis.”

Doherty states that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was no input and the government has publicized the shooting in Nova Scotia.

“What they have done is they have taken the opportunity while parliament is not in session, we’re not there, the opposition isn’t there to debate any rule changes or policy changes, and they’ve literally just made law-abiding gun owners criminals.”

On Tuesday, Ottawa-based lawyer Solomon Friedman announced that he would be filing an action in the Federal Court, seeking to invalidate the Liberal minority government’s Order in Council, garnering support from the NFA according to President and Prince George resident Sheldon Clare.

“The NFA will both be joining this case as an Intervenor, and actively supporting Mr Friedman’s efforts,” Clare said in a release.

Clare’s release continued to say, “Solomon Friedman is an excellent lawyer and acknowledged expert in firearms law. He literally wrote the book on the subject.”

According to the release, Friedman’s filing is expected to come within the next few days.