QUESTION PERIOD — Public Safety
Bill C-71--Firearms Regulations
February 17, 2021
Government Representative, following several months of interesting deliberations in committee and in the Senate, Bill C-71, An Act to amend certain Acts and Regulations in relation to firearms, passed on May 28, 2019, by a vote of 55 to 33. Under this legislation, enhanced background checks are required for firearms licence applicants, and vendors of non-restricted firearms must keep records and verify the purchaser’s licence. Here we are, nearly two years later, and these provisions, which the government described as key to improving public safety, are still not in force. Can you tell us, Senator Gold, when the government plans to bring these measures into force?
Thank you for the question and for raising this important aspect of the bill. I don’t have an answer for you today, but I will make every effort to get the answer for you as soon as possible.