Edmonton Police Service Chief Dale McFee is warning MPs that the federal government’s proposed handgun transfer “freeze” legislation could actually increase crime in the short-term.
McFee testified on Oct. 20 at the House of Commons Public Safety Committee which is studying Bill C-21, proposed legislation to further restrict access to handguns in Canada.
“There’s things that we support and there’s some things that we have some serious concern with,” McFee said.
Bill C-21 would put a “freeze” on the sale, purchase, or transfer of handguns in Canada.
McFee said the belief is that a handgun freeze would reduce the number of handguns in circulation in the long run, but in the short-term those wanting to acquire guns will find alternatives, increasing incidences of smuggling, 3D printing, and conversion of airsoft guns.
“This may also increase the commodity value and motivate individuals, including lawful firearms owners, to sell their own handguns,” McFee told MPs.
Approximately 20,000 handguns have been purchased since the bill was announced, while 12,000 handgun transfer applications are still waiting to be processed, McFee said.
He added that most of the powers proposed under the bill’s Red Flag Law already exist under Section 117 of the Criminal Code. The provision allows for the application of of an emergency weapons prohibition order in court to remove a person’s firearms for up to 30 days if they pose a risk to themselves or others.
McFee also took aim at the federal government’s gun buyback program, saying he shares concerns with other jurisdictions about how it will impact police resources.
“I’m not actually sure what the benefit might be,” he said.
In recent weeks, the governments of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and New Brunswick have all said they don’t want their limited police resources to act as confiscation agents for the program. As well, the Yukon Legislative Assembly adopted a motion to say that local RCMP resources shouldn’t be used for the federal government’s gun buyback program.
McFee said he supports the legislation’s provisions that intensify border controls and stronger penalties “all beneficially deterring the criminal element.”
The federal government says its gun control legislation will help reduce gun violence.
“We’re proposing some of the strongest measures in Canadian history to keep guns out of our communities and build a safer future for everyone,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in May when introducing Bill C-21.
“This legislation will help to reduce gun violence and keep Canadians safe,” said Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino.
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino also said the legislation “will help to reduce gun violence and keep Canadians safe.”
The Conservatives oppose these new measures, saying they don’t solve the problem of gun crimes.
In a statement, Conservative MP Dane Lloyd said McFee “confirmed” what Conservatives have been saying all along.
“C-21 does little to improve public safety and in fact could lead to many negative public safety outcomes,” Lloyd told The Epoch Times.
“We need real solutions to address the threat of illegally obtained firearms in the hands of gangs and criminals who use them to perpetuate violence in our communities. Not to attack law abiding firearms owners who present very little risk to public safety.”
