Firearms seminar clears up new rules

About 100 gun owners turned out at the Civic Centre last Thursday for a presentation by OPP S/Sgt. Doug Carlson on the new federal firearms regulations–and at least some of them got the answers they were looking for.
“I took a gun safety course in 1980 and I learned more tonight than through that whole thing–it was a lot of information,” Irene Hughes said as she left the two-hour seminar.
“It was very helpful,” echoed Gerard Lambert.
“For any gun owners over 18 years old with an FAC [Firearms Acquisition Certificate], get the possession-only licence,” stressed S/Sgt. Carlson. “If you don’t want to take a safety course, this is the licence to get.
“However, if you don’t get this by Dec. 31, 2000, you never will,” he warned/
For those who don’t get a licence on time, or don’t qualify for the possession-only licence, S/Sgt. Carlson outline the ins and outs of the possession and acquisition licence, possession for minors, and the 60-day temporary borrowing licence.
While some grumbles arose when things like fees, security checks, and waiting periods were mentioned, S/Sgt. Carlson tried to clarify some of the reasoning behind the legislation.
“The primary goal of the act is for people to use firearms safely–for their own sake and the community’s,” he explained. “It’s like driving a car. The government says you have to be competent with a firearm before you can have and use one.”
Registration also got many people talking at the seminar.
“All firearms must be registered by Jan. 1, 2003–that’s the way it is,” stressed S/Sgt. Carlson. “The next question is, ‘What guns do you want to keep and use when it comes to registration?’”
He also cleared up the difference between getting a licence and registering firearms. “You’re not registering your guns when you apply for a licence–you just have to prove you own one,” he noted.
Individuals are limited to having 10 registered firearms. Joint ownership is not allowed so use of someone else’s gun requires a borrower’s licence, or a possession-acquisition licence, in which case the transfer is treated like a sale–with the condition both parties are certified to own and use the gun.
The only question S/Sgt. Carlson couldn’t answer was, “Isn’t this just another form of taxation?”
Application forms can be picked up at the post office. For more information on licensing, registration, or help filling out application forms, call 1-800-731-4000.