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http://www.canada.com/ottawa/story.asp?id={7954FBAD-BA3C-4AFA-93AA-234938473023}
Gun law foes target urban dwellers
300 Renfrew residents fill armoury to blast federal politicians, city residents
Kevin Ritchie
The Ottawa Citizen
Tuesday, February 04, 2003
RENFREW -- About 300 people crowded into Renfrew's warehouse-sized armoury last night at an information session on gun control -- and city people and big government were the targets of their anger.
People jammed the entrance, forcing a lineup to sign petitions out the door. They brought placards with slogans such as, "This land is our land. Back off government." They hope to get the federal government to scrap the controversial gun registry, which they believe unfairly stigmatizes rural hunters as the cause of violent crime.
"The urbanites are the ones passing the law," said Nick Vandergragt, a truckdriver from Killaloe. "People in downtown Toronto don't know what this is about. How are we going to get those urbanites to leave us alone?"
The meeting was billed as a know-your-rights session organized by Alliance MP Cheryl Gallant. But during a question- and-answer period, many asked how her party plans to halt gun registration.
"Why hasn't this gun registry been annihilated yet?" asked Keith Abby.
"Where's your plan?" demanded another man.
The gun registry is a big issue in Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, and was one of the main reasons Ms. Gallant upset Liberal incumbent Hec Clouthier in the last federal election.
Ms. Gallant said pressure from the people will force the federal government to back down on the law.
"Look what happened in Ontario with Hydro," she said. "There was enough pressure and they decided not to privatize it. The government reversed its position when public opinion swayed in that direction.
"Urbanites are concerned with cost overruns. But they still don't get it. It has nothing to do with gun control, but controlling people. And gathering a database on people."
In a speech, Saskatchewan Alliance MP Garry Breitkreuz said he's applied for 300 access-to-information requests, and discovered 200 breaches to police databases.
He suggested computer hackers could steal gun owner profiles and use the information to see who owns valuable guns.
Last fall, Justice Minister Martin Cauchon announced the federal gun registry is $1 billion over budget.
A backlog in the number of gun owners registering their firearms has left many applicants without the paperwork past the Jan. 1 deadline.
Scott Murray, a criminal lawyer in Arnprior and a member of the Canadian Rifle Team, said he's at a loss when it comes to advising gun owners who registered but are still waiting for the papers.
"I don't know where you stand," he told the crowd. "The attorneys are going to take a very, very vociferous approach. You're going to find yourself prosecuted. If you're convicted, you're going to be subject to a prohibition order."
Ms. Gallant has requested an amnesty to allow gun owners a grace period to register without fear of prosecution.
Many expressed concern the Alliance will be unable to turn the tide.
© Copyright 2003 The Ottawa Citizen