OTTAWA, June 19, 1998 --
Firearm owners registering their firearms
under the new Firearms Act will be able to supply all required
information on a simple 8" x 7" (21cm x 17cm) two-sided form.
"In keeping with recommendations made to me by the User Group on Firearms (the government's advisory group on implementing the new Act), other groups of firearm owners, the Coalition for Gun Control and the Provincial Chief Firearms Officers, the form has been redesigned to be user-friendly, clear and as simple as possible." stated the Honourable Anne McLellan, Minister of Justice.
The User Group had praise for the new series of forms: "In their revised condition, the forms are a great improvement for the registration of firearms and will undoubtedly be properly received by those who will apply for registration."
The "postcard," or short form, will be used by all firearm owners. The form itself is augmented by a cover page which outlines the simple process of gun registration under the new Act. Detailed instructions with illustrations and an envelope are attached to aid in completing the form. There is space on each form for two guns. If more guns are registered, only the firearm description needs to be filled out on another copy of the form.
Registrants who feel they need more information regarding the identification of their firearms will be able to call one of the Registrar's approved volunteer verifiers for help. A list of verifiers will be made available by the CFC this fall.
The two forms will be available in September, 1998. All firearm owners must have all their firearms registered by January 1, 2003. Registration is a once-only process, valid for as long as the owner owns the gun.
The Act also requires, for the first time, a licence for all firearm owners. A licence, or the current Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC), will be needed to register firearms.
Owners with existing firearms have until January 1, 2001 to obtain a possession-only licence, which will be renewed every subsequent five years. Alternatively, any owner wishing to buy firearms will need a licence for acquisition. This is not new. The FACs now in place are valid until the expiry date on the certificate. After the fact has expired, the owner will have to get one of the two types of licences: possession only or acquisition. The latter also carries possession privileges.
Licencing forms will be similar to the existing FAC applications. They will, however, be accompanied by user-friendly instructions and there will be a simplified process for applicants applying for a possession-only licence.
Information:
Jean Valin
Canadian Firearms Centre
(613) 946-1645
