Hayes to study firearms rules

NEWS RELEASE

MP BRYAN HAYES

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OTTAWA – MP Bryan Hayes has been asked to temporarily join The Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security for the next four committee meetings to study legislation that is pertinent to the Sault Ste. Marie electorate - Bill C-42, an Act to amend the Firearms Act and the Criminal Code and to make a related amendment and a consequential amendment to other Acts.

The enactment of the Common Sense Firearms Licensing Act will:

• Merge the Possession Only License (POL) and the Possession and Acquisition License (PAL);
• Restrict the ability of Chief Firearms Officers to make arbitrary decisions;
• Create a grace period at the end of the five-year license to stop people from immediately becoming criminalized for paperwork errors;
• End needless paperwork around Authorizations to Transport by making them a condition of a license;
• Require mandatory firearms safety courses for first-time gun owners; and
• Strengthen firearms prohibitions for those who are convicted of domestic violence offences.

“It is such an honor for me to take part in studying this legislation which gives Sault Ste. Marie a stronger voice where this Bill C-42 is concerned,” said MP Hayes. “I am proud to be part of a government that is committed to safe and sensible firearms policies such as this, and to putting an end to the wasteful and ineffective long gun registry.”

The mandate of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security is to review the policies, programs, and expenditure plans which are responsible for public safety and national security, policing and law enforcement, corrections and conditional release of federal offenders, emergency management, crime prevention and the protection of Canada's borders.

Hayes said: “I am passionate about this legislation as it ties in directly with my Private Member`s Motion on the prevention of domestic violence, M-504, which is currently being studied by the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women.  Bill C-42, if enacted, will ensure firearm prohibitions for those convicted of domestic violence – definitely a common sense policy to keep the public safe.”

MP Bryan Hayes remains an active member of the House of Commons Standing Committees on Public Accounts and Veterans Affairs.

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