STATEMENT BY CHRIS LEWIS, MP ESSEX
Lewis, a resident of Kingsville and an avid hunter, commends his hometown Council for its support of a March 8th Resolution opposed to a Municipal handgun ban
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 15, 2021
ESSEX – I am very proud of the decision by the Kingsville Town Council to pass a Resolution opposed to a Municipal handgun ban. To the best of my knowledge Kingsville is the first Municipality in Ontario to do so. I strongly encourage all Municipalities in Essex County and across the country to do the same.
My Conservative colleagues and I stand shoulder to shoulder with legal firearms owners. We know that the only solution to gun violence in our inner cities is stop illegal handguns from entering our borders and to get tough on the gangs responsible for the violence. Trudeau knows this too. So does Minister Blair. The scapegoating needs to stop.
Resolution
A Resolution concerning Bill C-21, An Act to amend certain Acts and to make certain consequential amendments (firearms), specifically Amendment 26, Section (58.01 (1-8)), Conditions – bylaws.
Preamble
Bill C-21 is Federal Government legislation introduced on February 16, 2021 and currently at 1st Reading in the House of Commons.
If passed by Parliament, this Bill will give Municipalities across Canada the authority to outlaw handguns in their respective municipality through bylaws restricting their possession, storage and transportation.
The federal government would then create conditions on an individual’s federal firearms license in accordance with these bylaws.
Any breach of these conditions would carry a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment, as well as possible revocation of a firearms license or a registration certificate.
Whereas, municipalities have never been responsible for gun control laws in Canada;
Whereas, law abiding Kingsville residents who own legal handguns have already been thoroughly vetted through the CFSC, PAL and ATT applications.
Whereas, illegal gun owners and smugglers do not respect postal codes;
Whereas, if one municipality enacts a ban and not a neighbouring municipality, this will create a patchwork of bylaws;
Whereas, a municipal ban would be difficult to enforce and easy to get around.
Be it resolved that The Corporation of the Town of Kingsville is OPPOSED to the adoption of any bylaws restricting the possession, storage and transportation of legally obtained handguns.
Be it further resolved that this resolution be forwarded to the following public officials:
MP Chris Lewis, Essex
MPP Taras Natyshak, Essex
Premier of Ontario, the Honourable Doug Ford
Leader of the Official Opposition in Ontario, Andrea Horwath
Prime Minister of Canada, the Honourable Justin Trudeau
Leader of Official Opposition, the Honourable Erin O’Toole
The Minister of Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness, the Honourable Bill Blair
The Shadow Minister of Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness, MP Shannon Stubb
The Warden and Mayors of Essex County
All Municipalities in the Province of Ontario
NOTICE OF MOTION: February 22, 2021
Moved by: Councillor Thomas Neufeld
Adopted by Kingsville Council: March 8, 2021
NOTE: Bill C-21 is now at 2nd Reading in the House.
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