Bill 8 embodies UCP thinking: ‘Keep your hands off my six-shooters’

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“I am simply very confused,” a reporter informed Justice Minister Tyler Shandro throughout media questioning about Invoice 8, the brand new Alberta firearms regulation.

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“We’re all confused,” Shandro replied.

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Lastly, a second of full honesty within the emotional debate over federal plans to confiscate weapons.

Ottawa has been complicated, contradictory, overbearing, opaque and inconsistent in its dealing with of proposed arms confiscation.

This opened up a wealthy discipline for the UCP to make its personal guidelines, reducing away as a lot federal authority as they may probably handle.

However although the Feds are reeling, there’s nonetheless no clear battle; nothing to get these Alberta election juices boiling.

Time for an account. The outcome is among the strangest items of laws to hit the legislature in years.

It comprises greater than 60 subsections that give the minister authority to write down rules on every thing from licenses to gun seizures and compensation. The implication all through is that Alberta may have nearly all sensible energy over firearms.

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There aren’t any rules and will not be for some time, Shandro says, as a result of they do not know what Ottawa will finally provide you with.

When requested if the account shouldn’t be so tousled, Shandro stated: “I might characterize it as agile. We do not but have any particulars from the Fed to go on.

“As soon as we see these particulars, what’s proposed in Invoice 8 is a chance to reply with rules.”

The UCP opposes any federal confiscation program, however should additionally acknowledge that the federal Firearms Act confers authorized authority on Ottawa.

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The right way to clear that little gate? By saying that with the provincial Firearms Chief on the job, Alberta has the precise to take over nearly each element of how federal energy, together with firearm seizures, is exercised.

Most significantly, the province claims the precise to pick and license the “seizure brokers” who seize weapons. They are going to be anticipated to observe all guidelines and rules in provincial Invoice 8.

The invoice says “a license holder should adjust to any phrases and situations imposed on the license by the minister.”

It’s a must to marvel what these seizure brokers will truly seize, for the reason that province is so vehemently against seizure.

The invoice means that solely the province — not Ottawa — can appoint brokers. “No particular person might act as a seizure agent with out holding a sound (provincial) license,” the invoice states.

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Ottawa might disagree. Think about a second when federal activity pressure brokers, accumulating firearms, face off towards provincial brokers with no mandate to grab weapons. We will solely hope they don’t seem to be armed.

Shandro additionally poked the needle, saying Ottawa will likely be anticipated to pay for lots of this as a result of it is their thought within the first place.

The province may also “set up and function a program in accordance with the rules concerning the fee of compensation in respect of seized firearms, ammunition, equipment and components.”

Shandro advised homeowners would get “market worth” for his or her firearms, not some cash from Ottawa.

Some extent that worries some native leaders is that no municipality, police pressure or police fee can enter into an settlement with Ottawa for gun management funding until it absolutely complies with all provisions of Invoice 8.

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Politically, Invoice 8 neatly covers supporters who assume Ottawa desires to steal their property, however marvel what occurred to all that loud discuss across the Sovereignty Act.

Provincial management of firearms is deeply embedded in Premier Danielle Smith’s thoughts and authorities.

In 2013, as Wildrose chief, she virtually accused the RCMP of theft when officers seized weapons from deserted Excessive River properties through the nice flood.

The PC authorities of the day referred to as her irresponsible, however an RCMP panel later confirmed she wasn’t incorrect. The Mounties typically act improperly and with out authority.

That second nonetheless symbolizes a lot UCP resistance to federal gun laws, and the dedication to switch the Mounties with a provincial police pressure.

At a political barbecue in Calgary final summer season, UCP management candidate Todd Loewen — now in Smith’s cupboard — proudly wore a button on his shirt.

It confirmed crossed revolvers with the slogan: “Hold your fingers off my six-shooters.”

They have been jokes. However they don’t seem to be kidding.

Don Braid’s column seems often within the Herald

Twitter: @DonBraid