“Targeting legal firearms owners won’t prevent violence,”: Former PG business owner skeptical over buyback program

A former Prince George business owner is taking a wait-and-see approach over the federal buyback program.

Earlier this week, Ottawa announced it signed a contract with the Canadian Sporting Arms and Ammunition Association to work with businesses and retailers that still have prohibited guns under the new legislation.

The federal government has banned 15 hundred types of firearms they believe are not fit for civilian use.

Cassy Premack, who previously owned K.K.S. Tactical and Supplies before shutting down in November told Vista Radio Ottawa has its eyes on the wrong place.

“I think really the focus should be on phase three, not phase one and two. Phase one and two are incredibly important to firearms owners and businesses but realistically, what would be better is to be preventing violence in our communities by focusing where the violence is starting.”

“Targeting legal firearms owners and businesses isn’t what is going to prevent violence in our communities. I think really phase is really the only part that made any sense.”

Phase 2 will focus on individual firearms owners in possession of the prohibited guns this fall when their amnesty runs out.

The final phase will see a 250-million-dollar rollout towards prevention and programs in communities.

“I am curious to see how this is implemented through the CSAAA and what their plans are. They do say later this year in the announcement and realistically it could be late fall before we know what this is going to look like.”

“They are (CSAAA) who have supported me and other businesses. What they have said they are going to be doing is supporting the federal government with the buyback program but nothing has been set out yet. There is no budget set for this or a concrete plan. Really, the first phase is just a preliminary step,” added Premack.

In May of 2022, the federal government introduced new legislation on gun control, which announced the sale, purchase, transfer, and importation of handguns will be frozen.

In addition, there are currently 1.1 million registered handguns in Canada, a sharp increase over the past decade, and have become the weapon of choice in many gun-related crimes.

Furthermore, Premack did not endorse Ottawa stating gun owners could receive over 13 hundred dollars for turning in an AR-15.

Premack, who now lives in Williams Lake, then stood with the Alberta and Saskatchewan governments who both announced they will not be funding the initiative.

“I agree with Alberta and Saskatchewan completely. There is no reason to use provincial funds for a federal confiscation program when it’s going to do nothing to impact the safety of Canadians or violent crime involving firearms.”

“It’s really not going to be effective when you are asking Canadians to voluntarily give up their property without any reasoning behind it,” stated Premack in an earlier interview with MyPGNow.com.