Public Safety Committee on Dec. 1st, 2022

[Murray Smith]

For that particular rifle, whether it's prohibited or not depends on the calibre it's chambered for. That particular rifle is available in large African big game calibres, some of which will exceed 10,000 joules. Those versions of the rifle would be prohibited. Versions of it chambered for ordinary hunting calibres would not be prohibited.

I would further point out that this is no change from May 2020.

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, BC]

I won't ask what you would say. I'll just say what I say. It is a hunting rifle and it will now be prohibited as a result of the legislation.

I'll go on to the next—

[Murray Smith]

Only those versions that produce—

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, BC]

It's still a hunting rifle that would be prohibited.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

Let's let the witnesses answer, please.

I'm sorry. I missed your answer.

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, BC]

Mr. Chair, let me clarify this. My understanding of a committee is that the member has the ability to ask questions. Our time is very precious and I am trying to get through these as quickly as I can, even with the delays, because I know other colleagues would like to speak to this bill.

My understanding is that when I am asking questions, that is the member's time.

Can you clarify that?

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

All of the members are here to facilitate the study that the committee is undertaking. You're absolutely free to ask questions, provided that they're on topic.

It's also required that we give due respect and consideration to the witnesses. If we ask them a question, we should hear their answers and not talk over them.

I see Mr. Noormohamed on a point of order.

[Taleeb Noormohamed, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

Can we also, as we're having these deliberations—Mr. Zimmer is asking excellent questions, and there is no question about that—ensure that when the witness is giving an answer, people do not mis-characterize the answer that the witness has given in a statement and not give the witness a chance to respond?

[The Chair, Liberal, Ron McKinnon]

Thank you, Mr. Noormohamed.

Does the witness wish to clarify his last response at all?

[Murray Smith]

I can repeat the answer.

The Westley Richards rifle is available in calibres that exceed 10,000 joules of energy. Those versions would be prohibited. Versions that are chambered for ordinary hunting calibres would not be prohibited and in general would be non-restricted.

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Smith.

Let's go on to the next hunting firearm, which is the Winchester Model 54.

Will that be prohibited as a result of the passing of Bill C-21 and associated amendments?

[Murray Smith]

The Winchester Model 54 is not on any of the schedules. There is the potential for it to be impacted by the evergreen clause, however.

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Smith.

The next hunting firearm is the Parker breech-loading shotgun.

Is that going to be included in the prohibited list, based on the passing of Bill C-21 and associated amendments?

[Murray Smith]

“Parker” is a brand name, and they make a variety of shotguns. As was the case with those other firearms you mentioned, some of them are available in large calibres that exceed 10,000 joules of energy. Those versions would be prohibited.

In the case of the Parker, which is a shotgun, it's more likely that the shotgun would be available in 8 gauge. With a barrel of that size, it would exceed 20 millimetres and be prohibited for that reason.

However, Parker shotguns that are chambered for ordinary hunting calibres—like 10 gauge, 12 gauge or 20 gauge, etc.—would be unaffected and would remain non-restricted.

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, BC]

Once again, though, it's another hunting firearm being included in the prohibition list.

I have another question.

Will the Concari Farquharson 4 shotgun be included as a result of the passing of Bill C-21 and associated amendments?

[Murray Smith]

It's the same situation. It will be only those that are equipped with a barrel bigger than 10 gauge, 8 gauge being the most common. Those would exceed 20 millimetres and fall within the already-existing paragraph 96 that's been there since 2020.

Most of the shotguns would be unaffected, but the large-calibre ones would.

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, BC]

Once again, it's another hunting firearm being included.

[Murray Smith]

It is a hunting firearm, but it's prohibited only in certain limited circumstances.

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, BC]

It's still a hunting firearm, though.

Will the Charles Daly XT3 Classic Black Ranger be prohibited as a result of the passing of Bill C-21 and associated amendments?

[Murray Smith]

I don't recall whether that firearm is on the existing list or not.

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, BC]

It would be captured by the paragraph in G-4 that talks about centrefire magazine capacity.

[Murray Smith]

What was the name of the firearm again, please?

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, BC]

It's the Charles Daly XT3 Classic Black Ranger. I could show you an image, but I'm not supposed to.

[Murray Smith]

I don't recall the specifics of that firearm. If you were to provide more information or allow me to look it up, I could respond.

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, BC]

I could do that following.... I'm happy to.

Let's go to the next one, the NX18. It's a hunting rifle. I have an image of it right in front of me. It's actually a semi-automatic shotgun. It's a 410. It's a hunting shotgun. Most of us have used 410s for grouse hunting, etc.

Would the NX18 semi-automatic 410 shotgun be included as a result of the passing of Bill C-21 and associated amendments?