(OTTAWA) Legal sales of handguns have exploded in specialty stores and rifle clubs since the Trudeau government announced a statewide freeze on these types of guns Monday, leaving sport shooters feeling unfairly offended.
Posted at 8:14 p.m
Michel Saba and Emilie Bergeron The Canadian Press
Five owners of these types of facilities in Quebec who were contacted by The Canadian Press say they are struggling to meet customer demand. What they sometimes describe as an “incredible enthusiasm,” sometimes “outrageous,” began with the filing of Bill C-21, which seeks to ban the purchase, sale, transfer, and import of handguns.
“It’s not complicated, I have practically no more guns in my counter,” says Jean-François Perreault, co-owner of the Club de tir de Lanaudière, on the phone.
Ottawa says it wants to act quickly on gun violence, and Public Safety Secretary Marco Mendicino is also moving forward with regulatory changes due to take effect at the end of September.
Photo Justin Tang, The Canadian Press
Minister of Public Security Marco Mendicino
However, it’s a “cowardly decision” in the eyes of Mauricie Sports Club treasurer Jacques Tessier, who believes sport shooters will become victims in the pursuit of their practice.
These people want to play a sport like someone would play golf or tennis. Yes, it’s a gun and shoots bullets, but it’s always done in a controlled environment.
François Perreault, co-owner of the Lanaudière Shooting Club
In an interview, the man who was a police officer for 28 years lists the different phases of the process of acquiring a firearm. He mentions that this includes training and a mental health and criminal background check. In Quebec there are additional requirements. “Nobody comes here, buys a gun and leaves with it,” he summarized.
For example, at the Club de tir de l’Outaouais, Pierre Pharand states that “the world is obsessed with the remaining guns”.
And why do shooters acquire multiple guns? “Golf […], how many different sticks are there? I would say the pistol is the same. There is […] Calibers that are different,” he illustrates.
At Londero Sports in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu on Montreal’s south coast, vice president Paolo Londero says he’s selling guns he hasn’t received yet.
“It’s quite a frenzy right now,” he said. Filing the bill “sped up the purchase,” so he sold his entire inventory in two days.
Mr. Londero also sees an injustice in the announced handgun freeze. “They go after shooters who are respectful of guns who have gone through all the processes to get the guns. »
kill an industry
If passed, the law will “kill” the industry, deprive gunsmiths of their “livelihood” and “kill a Canadian tradition” of sport shooting and legal gun ownership, says Rudy, owner of Dante Sports in Montreal.
An opinion shared by former police officer Perreault, who believes “it will kill the sport in the long run”, and Pierre Pharand of the Outaouais Shooting Club, who doubts he can renew his clientele.
Bill C-21 provides exceptions including sport shooters and their trainers, the Office of the Public Safety Secretary notes, but only for high-level individuals.
“In addition, the ranges will continue to be permitted to purchase sport shooting handguns from their members, who are required to remain at the range,” added communications director Alex Cohen in an email.
A minimal effect?
If the legal sale of handguns in rifle clubs and other specialized shops could continue to increase, Canadian Police Association Vice President Yves Francœur does not see it as a public safety issue.
“People who are criminalized don’t apply for a gun license and then commit a crime with it,” says the man, who is also president of the Montreal Police Brotherhood.
Legally acquired guns can get into the hands of those who commit gun crimes, but their share of seizures is simply “minimal”.
“We’re the illegal guns right now, the problem, not the legal guns,” he continues.
Still, legal guns “can become illegal,” says Mr. Francoeur, calling Bill C-21 “a step in the right direction.” In his view, an effective fight against gun crime requires a “more comprehensive approach” with strong measures at the border, among other things.