The Conservative government is ending a seven-year waiver on gun licence renewal fees next month in an effort to collect about $18 million annually from firearms owners. New changes to the firearms regulations were quietly posted in the Canada Gazette on the weekend that restore the $60 licence fee for non-restricted weapons. The Conservatives brought in a two-year waiver on the fees in May 2006 and had extended it every year until now. “The government will not renew the current fee waiver in the current climate of fiscal restraint,” said the Canada Gazette post, dated April 13. Two other measures that the government says are designed to encourage compliance with firearms regulations will be extended by one year, however. Gun owners who let their possession-only licences expire have been allowed to re-apply since 2008 without having to pay to go through a firearms safety course, as the regulations require. That break continues to May 2014. And an amnesty on criminal charges for failing to licence or register non-restricted weapons for people “who were taking steps to comply with these requirements” has also been extended. The Canada Gazette notes that although the long-gun registry was ended by legislation last year, it remains in effect by court order in Quebec. And the amnesty provisions are pitched as a means of keeping Quebecers registering those rifles and shotguns. (More)Sunday, April 14, 2013
Conservatives bring back long waived gun licence fees, expect $18-million annually in revenue
Canadian Press | 13/04/14 |OTTAWA —
The Conservative government is ending a seven-year waiver on gun licence renewal fees next month in an effort to collect about $18 million annually from firearms owners. New changes to the firearms regulations were quietly posted in the Canada Gazette on the weekend that restore the $60 licence fee for non-restricted weapons. The Conservatives brought in a two-year waiver on the fees in May 2006 and had extended it every year until now. “The government will not renew the current fee waiver in the current climate of fiscal restraint,” said the Canada Gazette post, dated April 13. Two other measures that the government says are designed to encourage compliance with firearms regulations will be extended by one year, however. Gun owners who let their possession-only licences expire have been allowed to re-apply since 2008 without having to pay to go through a firearms safety course, as the regulations require. That break continues to May 2014. And an amnesty on criminal charges for failing to licence or register non-restricted weapons for people “who were taking steps to comply with these requirements” has also been extended. The Canada Gazette notes that although the long-gun registry was ended by legislation last year, it remains in effect by court order in Quebec. And the amnesty provisions are pitched as a means of keeping Quebecers registering those rifles and shotguns. (More)
The Conservative government is ending a seven-year waiver on gun licence renewal fees next month in an effort to collect about $18 million annually from firearms owners. New changes to the firearms regulations were quietly posted in the Canada Gazette on the weekend that restore the $60 licence fee for non-restricted weapons. The Conservatives brought in a two-year waiver on the fees in May 2006 and had extended it every year until now. “The government will not renew the current fee waiver in the current climate of fiscal restraint,” said the Canada Gazette post, dated April 13. Two other measures that the government says are designed to encourage compliance with firearms regulations will be extended by one year, however. Gun owners who let their possession-only licences expire have been allowed to re-apply since 2008 without having to pay to go through a firearms safety course, as the regulations require. That break continues to May 2014. And an amnesty on criminal charges for failing to licence or register non-restricted weapons for people “who were taking steps to comply with these requirements” has also been extended. The Canada Gazette notes that although the long-gun registry was ended by legislation last year, it remains in effect by court order in Quebec. And the amnesty provisions are pitched as a means of keeping Quebecers registering those rifles and shotguns. (More)
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