From: 10:41 Subject: Cdn-Firearms Digest V3 #658To: cdn-firearms-digest@broadway.sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca Cdn-Firearms Digest Wednesday, March 14 2001 Volume 03 : Number 658 In this issue: U.S. man lobbies Vatican for gun patron Letter: Keep gun-registry jobs in N.B. Release of three male kidnapping suspects said nothing unusual Anne McLellan will be holding a briefing CFC - Special Bulletin for Police No. 27 CFC BULLETIN: Transferring Ammunition to Special Groups Range in Belleville RE: "Get the lead out!" ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 2001.03.14 From: "Breitkreuz, Garry - Assistant 1" Subject: U.S. man lobbies Vatican for gun patron - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---- Rootin', tootin' saint could help gun owners: U.S. man lobbies Vatican for gun patron - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---- What Catholics need now is a patron saint of handgunners, says an American lobbyist. John Snyder is leading a drive to persuade the Vatican to designate St. Gabriel Possenti as a patron and intercessor for all those who use handguns. He said many members of Possenti's own Passionist order oppose his campaign, but the Vatican recently designated St. Thomas More as the patron saint of politicians, and handgun owners are probably more deserving. ``Percentage wise, there are a lot fewer unworthy owners than there are unworthy politicians,'' said Mr. Snyder, the public affairs director of the Washington-based Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. In 1859, in a shootout worthy of the Wild West, Possenti used his skill with a handgun to save a village from a band of marauding renegade soldiers. Possenti, born in 1838 to a wealthy Italian government official, grew to be a rambunctious teenager and a crack shot. But he entered a monastery in Isola, Italy after an almost fatal illness, and he was there when 20 armed thugs attacked the village, ransacking and setting fires. Possenti got permission from his superiors to stop the violence and confronted a drunken raider who was threatening to rape a girl. He tore the man's pistol from its holster and threatened to shoot if the raider did not release her. He ordered a second renegade to drop his , and when the leader scoffed at him, Possenti shot a lizard through the head. With that, the raiders dropped their guns, and Possenti marched them out of town after making them put out the fires. Possenti died three years later at age 24 and was canonized in 1920. He has already been designated as one of the patron saints of youth. Mr. Snyder began his career as a lobbyist after dropping out of a Catholic seminary, and joining American Rifleman magazine, and later the National Rifle Association. He says it was his Catholic philosophy that set him onto his career as a lobbyist. ``The Catholic church is the foremost defender throughout the world of the right to life, and the right to own the means of self-defence that protects life.'' ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2001 08:12:17 -0500 From: "Breitkreuz, Garry - Assistant 1" Subject: Letter: Keep gun-registry jobs in N.B. - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---- Keep gun-registry jobs in N.B. - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---- I wish to respond to Ken Hawkins of St. George who wrote in the March 7 edition of the Telegraph-Journal how he felt very unsympathetic toward the workers in Miramichi who would be out of a job if the Canadian program is "outsourced." Mr. Hawkins, I would just like to point out the law and the processing site in Miramichi, while connected, are two very different things. Sure, the law is unpopular to some. However, the workers in Miramichi didn't make the law, they do not enforce it, and they do not have any power to change it. They are just average people trying to make a living. If the law was being abolished and the jobs lost, that would be one thing. But the federal justice minister has made it very clear the law is here to stay, unpopular to some or not. But now the jobs might be going private. So, if the law is staying and the federal jobs in Miramichi are on the chopping block, what was gained? For New Brunswick, specifically the northern area around Miramichi, about 460 unemployed people and lost spinoff revenue - 460 people will be either on employment insurance or welfare. And what does the Canadian public gain? A private company having access to the personal information for every law-abiding gun owner in the country. You call that a winning situation? I ask, if the law is to stay, as it appears, do you really want a private company having that kind of access to information? Possibly your information. Keep things in perspective. The Miramichi workers are not asking for your sympathy in regards to the law. That is up to the Ottawa politicians and the voters. What we are asking for is your support to keep the jobs in New Brunswick. Gun owners should be concerned the information they have to provide, in some cases very personal information, could end up in the private sector. That is why the workers in Miramichi should be supported. Did the union think all 460 jobs would stay? No. But Miramichi was promised 150 full-time jobs to help replace the lost positions at CFB Miramichi. Cutbacks were expected, but not until the Jan. 1, 2003, deadline to register all in Canada. The union is asking New Brunswickers, and all effected Canadians, to support them - not the law. Keep the jobs in New Brunswick. Keep the information out of the private sector. Is this kind of support too much to ask for? I think not. SCOTT BECK Miramichi ------------------------------ Date: 2001.03.14 From: "Breitkreuz, Garry - Assistant 1" Subject: Release of three male kidnapping suspects said nothing unusual - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---- Release of three male kidnapping suspects said nothing unusual: Release of three accused and detention of other two was done with consent of the Crown with no specific reasons given. - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---- SUMMERSIDE -- The release on personal recognizance of three of the five men allegedly involved in the weekend kidnapping of a P.E.I. man is not an unusual occurrence in the courts, says Barrie Grandy of the Crown attorney's office. On Friday evening, five Moncton men were arrested by police after an anonymous tip informed authorities that an individual had been taken against his will and placed in a van headed for Borden-Carleton. The van was stopped near the McCain plant with three individuals in it along with the victim, Reginald MacDonald of Souris. Police later picked up the other two men in a taxi in Borden-Carleton. Further investigation uncovered that a second man, Steven Frizzell, had also allegedly been kidnapped but had been released. The group was also charged with illegal possession of weapons and a stolen van. The men appeared in provincial court on Monday and two were remanded in custody, Vincent Louis Wells, 32, and Steven Norris Rogers, 23, pending their next court appearance on April 24. Norris is charged with possession of a stolen truck and with illegally confining both MacDonald and Frizzell. Wells is charged with illegal confinement of MacDonald and with illegal possession of weapons. The three others were released. They included Etienne Eric Martin, 28, who is charged with possession of a stolen truck and unlawfully concealing a knife. Twenty-eight-year-old James Perry Short and Marcel Antoine Godbout, 23, are both charged with the illegal confinement of MacDonald and illegal weapons possession. The three men who were released must report weekly to Moncton RCMP until their next court date; they must refrain from any contact with the alleged victims, their families or any witnesses that may be called during their trials; they cannot possess , ammunition or explosives, and they must refrain from alcohol or drugs unless prescribed by a physician. Martin was given an additional condition which was to stay out of Prince Edward Island unless conferring with his lawyer or appearing in provincial court. Why some accused are released and others are held in jail pending a bail hearing is a determination that is usually left up to the Crown, Grandy said Tuesday. ``It's all guided by the provisions of the Criminal Code,'' he said. ``Section 515 (Judicial Interim Release) of the Criminal Code, which would be things like detention, is necessary to ensure their attendance in court. ``Their detention is necessary for the protection and safety of the public. And the other one is any other just cause being shown where the detention is necessary in order to maintain the confidence and the administration of justice in regard to all the circumstances. ``Those things are judgment calls by whoever does them and there could have been compelling reasons to release these fellows.'' In court Monday, no reasons were offered by Crown attorney Gerald Quinn, nor defence counsel John Diamond. The only reference made to the release of three and the detention of the other two was that it was being done with the ``consent of the Crown''. Diamond pointed out Tuesday that individuals can be charged but the charge alone doesn't make them guilty. ``You can charge people with all kinds of things,'' he said. ``It doesn't mean they're guilty of any of them. There's this strange little provision of our criminal justice system that's called presumption of innocence and that's probably the overriding factor of everything. And that could be the reason they got released. Until they're proven guilty it's pretty unusual for people to be incarcerated.'' Grandy said the restrictions placed on the three men released would have a role to play and letting them go free until their next court appearance. ``I can't speak about yesterday (Monday) because I've got no knowledge whatsoever of what went on in court but often there is some sort of consensus between the Crown and defence counsel as to what they can live with. Often that is done. If you can come to some consensus you will see sometimes that they agree to a remand.'' ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2001 09:27:58 -0500 From: "Breitkreuz, Garry - Assistant 1" Subject: Anne McLellan will be holding a briefing justice bill, today at 11:45, at 245 Wellington St. She will also be available for a scrum after tabling the bill (shortly after 3:00pm). Sender: owner-cdn-firearms@sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca Precedence: normal Reply-To: cdn-firearms@sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2001 09:26:38 -0500 From: "Breitkreuz, Garry - Assistant 1" Subject: CFC - Special Bulletin for Police No. 27 http://www.cfc-ccaf.gc.ca/owners&users/bulletins/special/police/bulletin27.h tml Special Bulletin for Police No. 27 Document Recognition and the Firearms Act Snapshot The documents that satisfy the licensing requirements of the Firearms Act Other documents required under the Firearms Act Valid licences under the Firearms Act Under the Firearms Act, every business and individual in possession of firearms or other regulated items must be the holder of a valid licence. To accommodate the various situations which may arise, several types of licences can be issued. If you encounter an individual with firearms, they may be in possession of any of the licences below, depending on their age and country of residence. All licences for individuals will specify the classes of firearms that the person may possess or acquire, and are issued by the Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) of the province or territory in which the licence applicant resides unless otherwise indicated. Temporary Licence: This document indicates that the person has applied for a licence and has satisfied the basic public safety requirements. It allows them to possess their firearms and acquire ammunition until the earlier of the date a licence is issued or notice of refusal is deemed received, or June 30, 2001. Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC): FACs are valid until their expiry date and allow the person to possess and acquire firearms, borrow firearms, and acquire ammunition. Possession-Only Licence (POL): A POL allows the holder to possess their firearms, borrow firearms of the same class, and acquire ammunition. POLs are issued for a term of 5 years and the expiry date will be indicated on the licence. Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL): A PAL allows the holder to possess and acquire specified classes of firearms, borrow similar firearms, and acquire ammunition. PALs are issued for a term of 5 years and the expiry date will be indicated on the licence. Minor's Licence: Allows minor individuals (12 to 18 years of age) to possess non-restricted firearms for specified purposes. Licences issued to minors are valid until the earlier of the minor's 18th birthday or the expiry date on the licence. Temporary Borrowing Licence for Non-Residents: Adult individuals who do not reside in Canada can apply for this licence which allows them to borrow non-restricted firearms while in Canada for a specified 60-day period, which can be renewed for one further 60-day period. Confirmed Customs Declaration: This allows adult non-residents to possess the listed firearms in Canada for a specified 60-day period, which can be renewed. This document is not actually a licence, but has the effect of a licence and registration certificate for the purposes of possessing the indicated imported firearms. This document is not issued by the CFO, but rather is confirmed by a Customs Officer upon entry of the individual into Canada. Generally the CFO is also responsible for issuing licences to firearms businesses. However, licences for interprovincial and international carriers are issued by the Registrar of the Canadian Firearms Registry (CFR). A business licence will indicate the activities authorized to be carried on by the business, as well as the classes of regulated items that the business can deal with. Business licences are valid for one year, and the expiry date will be indicated on the licence. Although museums apply for and are issued business licences by the CFO, these licences are valid for 3 years, and the expiry date will be indicated. It should be noted that some museums may still have museum approvals that were issued under the former legislation, and these are valid until the earlier of either their expiry date or December 1, 2001. Other Documentation Issued under the Firearms Act By January 1, 2003, all non-restricted firearms will have to be registered - and therefore registration certificates will have to be issued to the owner of the firearm by that time. Registration certificates issued for restricted and prohibited firearms under the former legislation, commonly known as green slips, are valid until the end of 2002. This means that the owners of these types of firearms must apply to re-register these firearms on a specific form, at no charge, so that they are issued registration certificates under the Firearms Act. During the course of your duties, you may also encounter Authorizations to Transport and Authorizations to Carry. An Authorization to Transport is required to transport restricted or prohibited firearms, and the expiry date will be indicated. This authorizes the individual to move the firearm in what is commonly referred to as a lock box. An Authorization to Carry is required if a person needs to carry restricted firearms or section 12(6) handguns on their person for the purposes set out in the Firearms Act (for example, a lawful occupation such as an armoured car security guard). This authorizes the individual to carry the firearm in a holster when performing the authorized activity. At all other times the firearm must be in a lock box. An Authorization to Carry cannot be issued for a period longer than 2 years, and the expiry date will be indicated. Information for the Police Special Bulletins for Police are intended to receive wide distribution within all police locations throughout Canada. To ensure that you are on our mailing list, or that your contact information is current, please refer to the process in Special Bulletin for Police No. 25. Any police officer can use the CFC Police-Only Information and Referral Line at 1 800 731-4000, ext. 2064 (E) or 2063 (F) (Toll Free) to obtain information or to obtain publications that are available. Police Web site Portal: www.cfc-ccaf.gc.ca/portals/police-en.html Police e-mail: police.firearms@justice.gc.ca Information for the Public Members of the public must not be referred to the Police-Only Line but can be referred to the public lines at 1 800 731-4000 (Toll Free) Public e-mail: canadian.firearms@justice.gc.ca This bulletin is intended to provide general information only, and may be copied and distributed within the police community. For legal references, please refer to the Firearms Act and its Regulations. Copies of the Act and Regulations and training material such as handbooks and videos were mailed to all police locations in 1998 and 1999. Copies of training materials are available on the CFC Web site. Contact your Chief Firearms Officer to see if provincial, territorial and municipal laws, regulations and policies also apply. March 2, 2001 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2001 09:24:41 -0500 From: "Breitkreuz, Garry - Assistant 1" Subject: CFC BULLETIN: Transferring Ammunition to Special Groups http://www.cfc-ccaf.gc.ca/owners&users/bulletins/special/businesses/bulletin Special Bulletin for Businesses - No. 31 Transferring Ammunition to Special Groups Snapshot No licence is required to buy ammunition under the authority of a police force, the federal government, or a provincial or territorial government. Police and government representatives must provide a receipt identifying the police force or department, as well as the type and quantity of ammunition purchased. Police officers and federal/provincial/territorial employees need a licence if they are buying these goods for personal purposes Treaty rights do not exempt Aboriginal persons from the licence requirement. Police and Public Agents As we informed you in previous bulletins, people usually need a firearms licence in order to buy ammunition. However, a person does not need a licence to buy ammunition on behalf of, and under the authority of, a police force, the federal government or a provincial/territorial government. In this situation, the police or government representative must provide you with a receipt containing the following information: Agency Identification Number (AIN) or, if that is not available, then the name, address and telephone number of the police force or government agency; Name of the representative; Type of ammunition; Quantity of ammunition; and Date of transfer Your business is required to keep these receipts for inspection by the Chief Firearms Officer and to submit the information concerning the transfer of ammunitions and prohibited ammunitions to the Chief Firearms Officer when you renew your business licence. If a police officer or government employee is buying ammunition for their personal use, they must have a firearms licence like everybody else. Aboriginal Groups Some businesses have asked whether Aboriginal people need a licence to buy ammunition if a signed treaty has given them rights to ammunition. The answer is "Yes." The only time a licence is not required is if the federal government or a provincial or territorial government supplies ammunition to an Aboriginal group to meet a legal obligation under the terms of a particular treaty. March 2, 2001 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2001 10:20:40 -0500 From: "Andy Engel" Subject: Range in Belleville =20 There is a range in Belleville???? I don't think so.... Regards, Andy ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2001 09:19:29 -0700 Fred said, From: Peter Kearns Subject: RE: "Get the lead out!" > In summary lead poisoning should not be taken lightly. There may be > political issues involved in this range closing but it doesn't change > the very real danger of health problems for those using the facility. > > [Peter Kearns] I mentioned some time ago that I am a member of the Strathcona Range at Edmonton, Alberta. The province conducted lead background tests and they came out higher than the limits allowed. (This happened a few years ago, and the province couldn't explain exactly what the limits were.) We brought in our own expert, and he conducted tests at the range.....but he didn't stop there. He went about two miles upwind and did background tests on the centre medians and any grass reserves he could find at where we call "refinery row." (We have two large refineries on the east side of Edmonton.) Then our expert went back to the environmentalists at the province and showed them that background lead in the area around the refineries was FIVE times higher than at the range! The province had made sort of grumbling noises about closing our range, so our expert asked if they would close the refineries as he was concerned about the lead fallout from them polluting the range and poisoning the voters! Well the grumbling stopped and the refineries and our range are still open and apparently still spewing lead into the atmosphere. At our range we have about eight shotgun ranges and numerous pistol and rimfire rifle ranges. We know that we have many tons of lead hitting the berms and the grassy areas, and we have a fund set up to reclaim all the lead when the range eventually closes. I shoot inside and outside and would suggest to Fred that if the environmental people carry on with their silliness, he motivate his club to find their own expert. It's surprising what you learn when you hire good help. Peter Simon says: In a recent posting I requested an explanation from the NFA President, as to why no members of the National Executive or any of the adjacent Provincial Executives attended the Western Canada Firearms Summit. A few hours after I hit "send" the National President called me on another matter, so I asked him to explain to me "why?" He did, and I am more than satisfied with his explanation. Therefore I withdraw my written request that Jim explain publicly in print. Bob Lickacz did his (as usual,) great job as official liason between the NFA and the various groups attending the summit. ------------------------------ End of Cdn-Firearms Digest V3 #658 ********************************** Submissions: mailto:cdn-firearms-digest@sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca Mailing List Commands: mailto:majordomo@sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca Moderator's e-mail address: mailto:IParkinson@ccinet.ab.ca List owner: mailto:owner-cdn-firearms@sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca FAQ list: http://www.magma.ca/~asd/cfd-faq1.html and http://teapot.usask.ca/cdn-firearms/Faq/cfd-faq1.html Web Site: http://teapot.usask.ca/cdn-firearms/homepage.html FTP Site: ftp://teapot.usask.ca/pub/cdn-firearms/ CFDigest Archives: http://www.sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca/~ab133/ or put the next command in an e-mail message and mailto:majordomo@sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca get cdn-firearms-digest v03.n198 end (198 is the digest issue number and 03 is the volume) To unsubscribe from _all_ the lists, put the next five lines in a message and mailto:majordomo@sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca unsubscribe cdn-firearms-digest unsubscribe cdn-firearms-alert unsubscribe cdn-firearms-chat unsubscribe cdn-firearms end (To subscribe, use "subscribe" instead of "unsubscribe".) 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