Government defers firearms marketing regulations

The federal government has announced that it is deferring the Firearms Marking Regulations to December 2009.

"These regulations, just like the wasteful long-gun registry, are an expensive and ineffective attempt to reduce crime," commented Dufferin - Caledon MP David Tilson. "Our government recognizes this and is listening to the concerns expressed by industry and ordinary Canadians."

In December 2004, the previous Liberal government enacted regulations requiring that imported firearms be marked with a "CA" (for Canada) and the last two digits of the year of import, even though all legal firearms can already be traced through an existing serial number. They were originally scheduled to come into force April 1, 2006, but after Canadians protested, they were deferred to Dec. 1, 2007.

"The decision to defer will allow our government to consult with law enforcement agencies and industry on better and more effective ways to protect the public from gun violence," Tilson remarked.