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QUESTION – Firearms

QUESTION – Trudeau misleads Canadians on firearms law

Mr. Bob Benzen (Calgary Heritage, CPC): Mr. Speaker, section 5 of the Firearms Act says that a person who has threatened or committed a violent crime, a crime related to harassment, drug crimes or has serious mental health issues is unable to have a firearms licence. A person without a gun licence cannot legally have a gun. It seems that the Prime Minister’s red-flag proposal is a solution in search of a problem. Is the Prime Minister’s proposal different from what has existed for decades or was he simply unaware of the law?

Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be able to inform the member opposite of what we are planning to do. There are many individuals who have a firearms licence and own firearms and who begin to present a threat to themselves or to their family. At that point, medical health professionals can alert them not to just take away the firearms, which exists— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

 The Speaker: Sorry, but I am having a hard time hearing the answer. Maybe it is just me, but I hear some noise. I would ask every‐ one to take a deep breath. The right hon. Prime Minister can continue.

Right Hon. Justin Trudeau: Mr. Speaker, the police currently have the ability to remove firearms from someone who presents a threat to themselves or others, but they cannot suspend the licence and prevent that person from acquiring new firearms. That is what the red-flag law is all about.

Trudeau misleads Canadians on firearms law

The Liberals say they will bring in a “red flag” law, but such a provision has been on the books since 1998 when the Liberals changed Criminal Code section 117.04 to allow police to enter a person’s home and seize firearms and ammunition whenever they have reasonable grounds to believe a person has a chance of hurting him or herself, or any other people — even without a warrant.Lawyers advise me this provision is used daily by the police, who can – and do – then move to have firearms licenses suspended through the courts.In addition, Section 110.04(4) specifies that a R-PAL or PAL is immediately invalid when seized by the police under section 117.04 for public safety. That person then has no ability at law to possess or acquire any firearm. That has been the law for over 20 years.If the person from whom the R-PAL or PAL is seized does acquire a firearm, it is an offense of trafficking.Trudeau is either misleading Canadians or fails to understand existing laws around firearms when he says his “new” proposal will improve safety.

Posted by Bob Benzen on Wednesday, February 5, 2020