Myles Fish; Moose Jaw Times Herald (Feb 17, 2009)

On the issue of firearms legislation, some of Saskatchewan’s hunters were told Saturday there is reason for some hope.

The reason for hope, said Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF) firearms chairman Greg Illerbrun, is in a private member’s bill in the House of Commons introduced by Yorkton-Melville Conservative MP Garry Breitkreuz. The main component of the bill is to scrap the controversial national long-gun registry.

Illerbrun was speaking at the SWF annual convention in Moose Jaw.

Another major component of the bill is the proposed implementation of a public safety test by the auditor general every five years. The test would look at the cost-effectiveness of gun control measures at reducing violent crime and keeping firearms away from criminals.

The long-gun registry, since being implemented in 2001, has faced much scrutiny. It has cost upwards of $2 billion, and opponents say it does nothing to lessen gun violence because criminals are not likely to register their arms in any case.

Illerbrun said another problem with the legislation is that it permits ‘grandfathering,’ where guns can be freely moved from class to class, meaning guns can easily be prohibited if they were only restricted before.

Illerbrun said he has been in contact with Breitkreuz, and they are both “cautiously optimistic” that the bill will pass. Illerbrun proclaimed that there is “no support for C-68 (the gun control legislation) in Canada,” and said rural MPs across Canada are under a lot of pressure to vote in favour of the private member’s bill.

Illerbrun said he is hopeful the bill will pass within the year. One potential holdup, however, is that private member’s bills are not supposed to cost money, and the projected auditor general examinations would.

Illerbrun said the solution to gun control is rather simple. “Legitimate people are still being harassed. What we want to see is an offender registry. Leave the rest alone.”

Ending his speech, the firearms chairman proclaimed “we will win” to a standing ovation.

Illerbrun also discussed the provincial hunter safety course and the federal firearms safety course. He said the separate programs create unnecessary hassle and added costs. “They took our course and split it in two. We want to see the two courses combined and run provincially,” said Illerbrun.

According to SWF Executive Director Darrell Crabbe, the convention — the SWF’s 80th — was a success with over 300 delegates from 121 branches across the province. The convention was held at the Heritage Inn.

Crabbe said the delegates from around the province gave the city a glowing review. “Everyone loves having the convention in Moose Jaw. A lot of them wish it could be here every other year.”