Evidence of meeting #41 for Public Safety and National Security in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was sport.
A video is available from Parliament.
5:40 p.m.
NDP
Alistair MacGregor NDP Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Ms. Russell, I want to continue on Mr. Noormohamed's line of questioning.
I think what he was trying to get to was that if we're going to create some exemptions here, and a person wants to buy, sell or transfer a handgun, do you believe that they should show they need this handgun because they belong to a shooting discipline? Do you think that for the purchase of a handgun, they need to demonstrate a need, rather than just saying “I like to go to my range recreationally”?
I think that if we're going to arrive at a compromise position here, that's probably the narrow laneway we have. It would mean tightening up the eligibility requirements further so that you have to demonstrate that you are an active participant, that you are engaging in matches and have some kind of recorded demonstration of the need for the handgun, rather than “I just want to go and buy one so I can go to the range every couple of months”.
5:40 p.m.
Athlete, Instructor and Official, International Practical Shooting Confederation
Thank you for that question. It's an excellent point.
Yes, we do need to dialogue with this committee at the point where you are going to review the regulations and any amendments such as what we are requesting. Yes, we need to put steps into play, because, again, the IPSC organization already has steps in play to make sure that the athlete is where they need to be at the right place and the right time.
In terms of this legislation, yes, we need to dialogue. We need to put steps into place with something like a graduated licensing system. You crawl, you walk and then you can run. Basically it would be steps to ensure that the person is safe to compete with a firearm in this sport, in recreational shooting in Canada.
5:40 p.m.
Liberal
5:40 p.m.
NDP
5:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
Thank you. I appreciate it.
That brings our meeting to a close. I would like to thank all the witnesses for sharing their time, expertise and concern with us. It's a difficult subject, and you have helped us with our study today.
Thank you to all the members of the committee.
With that, we are now adjourned.