You are here
Home > BC Wildlife Federation > UN Marking Issue – Letter Writing Campaign Phase 1

In 83 days the UN Marking System will come into effect.  If nothing changes, it is expected that the regulations as they are currently written will significantly increase the cost of firearms and have a devestatig impact on the firearms industry in Canada.

 I had a very productive telephone meeting yesterday with the President, two of the Directors/Executives and the Managing Director of the Canadian Sporting Arms and Ammunition Association (CSAAA) – the industry group (not to be confused with the CSSA).

 They have come up with a solution that would be win win for all concerned:

 1)   The Government would win in that they would be able to meet the recommendations of the UN Firearms Protocol (“recommendations is important because a protocol s not a binding treaty);

 2)  The industry wins in that they do not have to incur significant costs;

 3) hunters and sports shooters win because they will not be faced with very significant increases in the costs of firearms and reduced choices.

 What is that solution you ask?  It is to codify current, modern industry practices for marking firearms in the regulations.  See attachment “Proposed Change to CDN Firearms Marking Regulations”.  The current practices meet all of the objectives of the UN Marking Regulations, but they have never been codified.  The proposed changes to the regulations makes the regulations consistent with current practices.

 It appears clear that the government is determined to be able to say they have met the recommendations of the UN Firearms Protocol by June 1st.  I do not have any idea how many 100’s of thousands of letters it would take to get them to back off on that objective.  I think it is much more feasible to get them to bring into force a regulation that makes sense, than to get them to back down completely.

I propose that we continue with our planned campaign but modify our “ask” to asking the Federal Government to implement the proposed amended Firearms Marking Regulation for the following reasons:

 1)  gives us (in my opinion), the greatest chance of success;

 2) if we do not advocate, there is still a significant risk that the originally drafted regulation will be brought into force without change;

 3) it would send a message to the government that conservationists, hunters and sports shooters will mobilize on issues of importance to them, and there are significant numbers of us.

 Actions Requested of You:

 Please send a letter (RSSCLetter) to the Minister of Public of Public Safety with a copy to your Member of Parliament.  FYI I have attached a template letter we are asking Region and Club Presidents to send in.

The template letters are for your convenience. Template located at the bottom.

 Phase 2 will involve letters to local Members of Parliament asking them to write letters to the minister.  Phase 2 will be launched in approximately 30 days.

 Thank you for your assistance in this important initiative.

Click here to download the template letter. RSSCLetter to Minister March 2017

Top