Former national firearms association president says Bill C-21 an attack on law-abiding gun owners

“It looks pretty clear the fix is in.”

Those are the words of Sheldon Clare, the former president of the National Firearms Association who is less than pleased Bill C-21 passed a Senate vote.

The federal gun control law is expected to tighten the rules for gun owners that pose a risk to themselves or others, and freeze the sale, purchase, or transfer of handguns in Canada.

However, Clare feels the bill that is now set to receive Royal Assent, likely won’t see too much compliance from legal gun owners.

“All it does is take another run at law-abiding firearms owners who are an easy target for Liberals because they tend to be not in the block of people who vote for them anyway. It’s basically useless legislation that will not have any impact on crime.”

“The citizens who own firearms are not impressed by this legislation and I expect that we will see very high levels of non-compliance and I do not expect to see the attempts to operate these so-called buybacks, which is a waste of taxpayers’ money will be successful.”

Clare believes if gun owners would like this to go away, supporting the Conservatives in the next federal vote is paramount.

“It looks pretty clear to most of us that the fix is in and what we are looking at is political change in order to affect a significant modification of these bad laws.”

“If firearms owners want to see change that helps them and stops the government from stealing their property, which the government seems very eager to do then they are going to need to vote in a Conservative government.”

In addition, other provisions will make it illegal to make or buy ghost guns, and wording to uphold Indigenous treaty rights

The bill also seeks to ban assault-style firearms that fall under a new definition.

In October, Clare was selected by the Conservative Party of BC to run in the newly-formed Prince George-North Cariboo riding for the 2024 provincial election – a seat that is held by BC United MLA Coralee Oakes, who announced her intention to seek a fourth term.

The Canadian Coalition of Firearms Rights issued the following statement on Bill C-21:

The CCFR is deeply disappointed in the passing of C-21, without amendment, despite the objection of every credible expert. Women’s anti-violence groups spoke out about the danger of the changes to the existing red flag laws, law enforcement questioned the focus on legal handguns instead of smuggled ones, and Indigenous leaders condemned the lack of consultation by the government. 

The most egregious part of this deeply flawed bill is the position police will be put in upon the death of every legal handgun owner. Imagine attending the homes of grieving widows and children to confiscate and destroy property that meant a lot to the people who owned them, and who’ve done nothing to warrant this. If only this much effort and vigor was applied to the misuse of illicit guns by violent, repeat offenders.

The Liberals record on public safety speaks for itself, Canada has never been more violent or dangerous than it is under this current administration. Once again, they’ve focused on the wrong target.