SOFT ON CRIME NDP OPPOSES
WILL OF RURAL VOTERS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 24 APRIL 2009
OTTAWA
– NDP Members of Parliament have betrayed their constituents and broken their
promises, says Battlefords-Lloydminster MP, Gerry Ritz.
Rural
NDP members who promised during the past election to vote to end the long-gun
registry voted with the Bloc and Liberals on a Motion that will make law
abiding citizens criminals just because they own a long-gun and go hunting.
“The
Conservative Government’s position is clear: we support the repeal of the of
the long-gun registry because it unfairly targets farmers and hunters, not
criminals.”
On
April 1, 2009, the Government introduced a bill in the Senate to eliminate the
requirement for Canadians to register their non-restricted long-guns.
The
legislation introduced will repeal the requirement for individuals and
businesses to register non-restricted long-guns; and will uphold the
requirement for firearm retailers to record all sales transactions of non-restricted
firearms, as was the case prior to the imposition of
the long-gun registry.
In
addition to their posturing in the house, the NDP supported a motion in the
Justice Committee that would have seriously weakened the intent of Bill C-14.
Some
measures the legislation includes are:
·
a new broad-based offence to
target drive-by and other intentional shootings involving reckless disregard
for the life or safety of others.
·
that murder is
automatically first-degree when it is committed in connection with a criminal
organization.
“My
constituents in Battlefords-Lloydminster have been vocal in their support for
the repeal of the long gun registry, and their support for tough-on-crime laws”
says Ritz. “Canadians and long gun owners want common sense reflected in the
laws that govern gun ownership and organized crime.” It is clear that the Conservative party is the
only party committed to getting tough on criminals, without penalizing law
abiding Canadians,” concluded Ritz.
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For more information call the office of Hon. Gerry Ritz 613-992-9703