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JOHN WOODS \/ FREE PRESS<\/p>\n
Firearm owners held a rally at Winnipeg City Hall Monday, to protest \u201cunfair\u201d gun policy in Canada.<\/p>\n
The 40-year-old called gun ownership an \u201cessential right\u201d in a free society and said criminals are getting a pass. He said alongside hunting and target shooting, firearms should be allowed for self defence as well.<\/p>\n
The event, which opened with a singing of O Canada by the crowd, is one of many being hosted across the country. The rallies are happening ahead of a Supreme Court of Canada challenge brought forward by the firearms lobby, with hearing dates set for Nov. 9 and 10.<\/p>\n
Since May 2020, Ottawa has outlawed approximately 2,500 types of guns on the basis they belong on the battlefield, not in the hands of hunters or sport shooters. A buyback program \u2014 for which the feds have budgeted $700 million \u2014 will provide owners fair compensation for their outlawed firearms.<\/p>\n
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree refused an interview request Monday from the Free Press. He said previously prohibiting firearms is \u201can important part of our government\u2019s commitment to tackling gun violence and keeping Canadians safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Frank Reimer, 63, attended the Winnipeg rally because he depends on guns to hunt for food.<\/p>\n
\u201cInstead of going after the actual criminals, to take guns away from legal, law-abiding citizens, makes absolutely no sense,\u201d the Steinbach man said. He said the agenda of the government was out of touch.<\/p>\n
\u2018They should be listening to the constituents instead of making up rules based on their own personal ideas, which have no place in politics in the first place,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He said tighter restrictions on his weapons would be an attack on his rights.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a way of life for quite a few Canadians,\u201d he said. \u201cMore than the government realizes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t JOHN WOODS \/ FREE PRESS<\/p>\n Tory MP, Raquel Dancho, speaks at the city hall protest, Monday.<\/p>\n Canadian Armed Forces Veteran Jim Dudgeon said shooting is an inter-generational pastime.<\/p>\n \u201cMy kids do it. My grandkids do it,\u201d he said. \u201cWe use the old guns from before 1898 \u2014 the old revolvers \u2026 it\u2019s fun. I\u2019ve never hurt anybody in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n The retired military police officer worries the government\u2019s approach to firearms is harmful, saying he recalls days when people were able to use guns as a tool, without them being labeled a weapon.<\/p>\n \u201cThat freedom is gone,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Tory MPs Ted Falk, Colin Reynolds and Raquel Dancho were among the politicians in attendance.<\/p>\n Dancho called the crowd \u201cvery patriotic Canadians\u201dand said firearms are family artifacts and heirlooms for many.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a very big part of Canadian identity, for the people here and for millions of Canadians in this country,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Tracey Wilson, vice president of public relations with the firearms lobby, said the group is appreciative of Premier Wab Kinew\u2019s refusal to have Manitoba participate in the gun buyback. The group would like to see Manitoba go a step further, implementing legislation to protect people who refuse to abide by the federal firearms policy.<\/p>\n
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