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By Jaryn Vecchio

Gun Ban

‘It was unnecessary:’ firearm advocates happy feds scrap plans to ban hunting rifles & shotguns

Feb 3, 2023 | 12:00 PM

The federal government is no longer considering banning certain models of hunting rifles and shotguns, at least for the time being.

According to The Canadian Press, the Liberals are withdrawing their proposed amendment to its gun bill, Bill C-21, that would have made these types of firearms illegal.

“It’s about time, it was unnecessary to begin with,” said Michael Heisler, who runs Northern Saskatchewan Wilderness Hunts Inc.

His business, which he runs with his father, was looking at some tough times ahead if this ban was approved. Heisler noted a lot of their clients are from out of the country and have already been asking a lot of questions— specifically about what they can bring.

Heisler believes these changes were simply only going to hurt law-abiding firearm owners.

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“Hunting rifles are hunting rifles. They’re not bringing in an AK-47, but that’s what they’re being treated like,” he said.

Meanwhile, some firearm advocates are calling this a good day, but not a great day.

That’s because the original gun bill, which mainly targets handguns, is not being scrapped alongside the proposed changes.

“Taking away handguns from people like me— I’ve worked my whole life, I’m not a criminal. I was a Peace Officer for years. I just don’t see this producing any positive results at all,” said Melanie Markling, co-owner of Northern Elite Firearms in Prince Albert.

This thought was echoed by Heisler.

Markling and Heisler both stated they believe the handgun ban is only impacting legal gun owners as criminals won’t simply turn their firearms over or will just smuggle more into the country.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow