Feature Article October 3, 2001
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Call MP, MPP to expedite firearms licences byWillCybulskiSmall game season is open across the province, and moose kills are already returning from the north. Local hunters are making preparations for the upcoming southern moose season, and deer hunting is only a month away. Depending on the source, estimates of those who have not yet received their firearms possession licences run up to the hundreds of thousands. Concerns have been voiced that those many hunters out there without licences may be subject to arrest and confiscation of their weapons. A news release from Canadian Shooting Sports indicated that the organization had received information that COs (Conservation Officers) in Ontario may be aggressively enforcing the firearms act regulations. I contacted the Enforcement Coordinators Office at MNR Bancroft, and was advised by a spokesperson there (who declined to put his name on record) that COs concentrate on game and fish violations as the Units primary mandate. However, that same source indicated that safety and public interest played a role, and if either were compromised, COs would then likely be looking into the firearms licence aspect on an individual basis. Some examples given were poaching, unsafe hunting, or possession of a firearm while impaired. Canadian Shooting Sports also suggests trigger locks be applied any time firearms are not in use, whether attended to or not. That will eliminate any creative interpretation of the regulations, particularly with the use of gun racks at hunt camps. I am one of those many people who applied way back in December for a possession licence, dutifully completing all the necessary paperwork and forwarding a photograph and payment. In late spring I received a temporary paper licence, which expired in June past. To date, I am still without a permanent licence, although my cheque was cashed ages ago. If you were in business, and still hadnt delivered to your customer nine months after payment, I suspect you would find yourself in civil court. Since that isnt a realistic option to pursue when dealing with the government, you can speed up the process simply be contacting your Member of Parliament, either provincial or federal. It has been found that, with such intervention, the licences magically appear within days. Your MP or MPP will need your name, address, date of birth and telephone number. Also of assistance would be the number of your temporary licence, if you had received such documentation previously. Your Provincial Member of Parliament is Leona Dombrowsky, who can be contacted toll free at 1-877-536-6248. Federal Member Larry McCormick can be called toll free as well at 1-800-267-0276. Finally, any queries for the MNR can be made by calling toll free 1-800-667-1940, asking for Bancroft, and then requesting the Enforcement Coordinators Office.
