As the Government of Canada continues to pour hundreds of millions of tax dollars down the bottomless well of gun control, information recently received by the Canadian Institute for Legislative Action indicates the expenditure will likely be for nothing.

CILA Executive Director Tony Bernardo says; " This is the final proof that Bill C-68 is expensive, inept legislation.  The people of Canada deserve quality laws on such important issues, not "feel good" garbage like C-68." He adds; " Working within the law, firearms users in Canada can obtain firearms without paper trails or notifying government.  How does this fit into Anne McLellan’s "culture of safety"?  C-68 has to go."

In order to protect the rights and interests of law abiding firearms users CILA has prepared a Firearms Leasing Agreement.

This agreement is suitable for both individuals and businesses and for both leases and subleases.  As well, this agreement has equal application for lease of non-restricted, restricted and prohibited firearms.

A copy of the Firearms Leasing Agreement is being provided with this newsletter. Ms. Roussel’s letter attesting to its legality is available on the CILA Web Site www.cila.org or by request to National Office.

Reform Party MP Jack Ramsay says a loophole would allow people to avoid the registry by leasing guns instead of buying them. Kathleen Roussel of the Canadian Firearms Centre, which is responsible for implementing the Firearms Act, confirmed that loans and leases are not considered transfers of ownership. Therefore, there is nothing in the legislation to suggest that a person who rents or borrows a rifle would need to have it registered. In a letter to the Canadian Institute for Legislative Action, Roussel said a loan or a lease is not considered a permanent transfer as long as there is a limited time period. "Where two parties enter into a long-term or infinite loan or rental agreement, it may be necessary to look at their intent to determine whether or not we are really dealing with a loan or with a gift or sale," she wrote.

Gunshop owner Reg Dean said the loophole is big enough to permanently disable the new gun registry. "This registry is nonsense," he said. "It’s been tried in so many countries and it just doesn’t work. It’s cost is prohibitive." Reformer Bob Mills, MP for Red Deer, said the leasing loophole is the final volley against a gun registry already under fire from several territories and provinces.

The Government of Canada is preparing to confiscate your legally acquired, legally owned and FULLY REGISTERED property on December 1^st of this year…without compensation. The largest legalized theft of private property in Canadian history.

The Government of Canada has paid compensation for prohibited firearms many times in the past: they have no right to steal your property. (The average pay out was $766.16 between 1995 and 1998).

If you are a non-grandfathered owner of a prohibited handgun, or if you are grandfathered and own a non-grandfathered handgun please fill out the form below and mail or fax it to the CILA National Office.

MAIL TO: Canadian Institute for Legislative Action - National Office:

The audience was reminded again of the importance of writing letters to politicians (MPs and MLAs) and responding to the newspapers when firearms issues are raised. Directors were elected for the coming year.

Pres. Harry Sullivan                 V.P. Kevin Staines            Sec/Treas Steve McLean

The Province of British Columbia, Minister of Attorney General, Security Programs Division recently distributed a package to all shooting clubs and ranges in B.C. Titled "Guidelines To The Construction of Small Arms Ranges And Shooting Clubs, And Shooting Range Approvals", this document has the potential of shutting down a large number of previously approved ranges in this province. All ranges in the province will be affected; including those that are used by long arms only. The volunteer operated and cash poor clubs in our province are being ordered to comply with these new regulations by December 1^st, 1999. These regulations are so stringent that compliance becomes impossible, because of either property restrictions or lack of financial resources to implement improvements. B.C.'s shooting range facilities are operated to give club members and the community a safe and convenient place to sight in hunting rifles and to target shoot with their firearms; both casually and in organized shooting events. Many of these ranges are used as training facilities by police and conservation officers, as well as other agencies whose employees are required to carry firearms as part of their duties. Reports are being received from clubs that the costs of upgrading their ranges to the new standards will cost in the range of $50,000 and higher, if the changes are even possible on their existing land base. Most of these clubs do not have the financial resources to implement these changes. If the December 1^st compliance date is adhered to, it will mean the immediate closure of a large number of shooting ranges throughout the province. Shooters will be forced away from using safe and regulated facilities and back into gravel pits and on to crown land. It will also close down these facilities to government agencies for firearms training and practice. We do not believe that this is what the general public of this province wishes to see happen. These regulations, issued in the name of "safety", are superfluous; evidenced by the fact that only $4.50 will provide gun club members with $2 million liability insurance. What better proof of an exemplary safety record!

First Casualties of Range Regulations

Yes we know! It's summertime and the municipal elections are still months away - besides, who cares about municipal politics?

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