Lethbridge MP tables petition from local teen opposing firearms legislation

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“Bill C-71 creates a backdoor long-gun registry,” Harder continued. “It calls for the confiscation of firearms that were legally purchased by law-abiding Canadians, and it allows the federal government to share firearms records with the province of Quebec. Meanwhile, it fails to address gang violence, it fails to address the issue of illegal firearms, and it fails to address rural violence and crime.”

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Conservative leader Andrew Sheer joined Harder in the online broadcast, echoing her concerns on C-71 and stressing that the real focus of the bill should be on dealing with gang violence and a “surging epidemic” in rural crime.

He also discussed their plans in the event the bill receives third reading tomorrow and becomes legislation.

“Should Bill C-71 pass this fall, a Conservative government elected in 2019 will repeal it and replace it with a law that targets criminals, protects Canadians, and respects sport shooters and law-abiding firearms owners,” said Sheer. “Our Conservative team has been hard at work over the last several weeks developing a comprehensive policy that will keep dangerous weapons away from criminals, crack down on gangs, and give the police the tools to keep Canadians safe. We will be announcing this policy in the coming weeks.

“I think the real effective way to go after gun crime and those types of violent offenders is to get illegal firearms off the street, better tools to our border services agencies, and meaningful penalties for people who commit these types of crimes,” he later added.

When asked if the party was against all parts of C-71, Sheer acknowledged that they support enhanced background checks for those looking to purchase a firearm but quickly stated that C-71 is “all image, no substance.”

“It is my hope that as the bill enters third reading tomorrow, that the Liberals will listen closely to the voices of 86,000 Canadians and people like Ryan Slingerland – a 15-year-old informed, young Canadian from my riding,” said Harder. “It is my hope that they will then back down from this failed legislation.”