PARTING SHOTS . . .



	Living close to the Canadian Border, I have traveled to Vancouver 

and Victoria, British Columbia for years.  But as a tourist, I have spent 

my time enjoying the cosmopolitan atmosphere of a large city and the 

charm of a slightly British Provincial Capital



	I have been following the gun control debate in Canada via a 

journal circulated on the Internet for the last six months.  I have also 

received fantastic information from the Ontario Handgun Association.



	Canada has some of the most restrictive gun control laws in the 

world.  In order to purchase or borrow a firearm, a long gun or a 

handgun, you must obtain a FAC (Firearms Acquisition Certificate) good 

for five years.  A FAC costs $50, requires a full character exam by 

police (including the questions: have you been divorced, flunked a 

University course, etc.), the passage of a three hour safety course 

(costing between $100 and $180) and a wait for a minimum of 28 days.  

First time applicants must often wait more than six months.  Hunters must 

also obtain a Provincial Hunting license and pass another exam costing an 

additional $75 or more.



	All handguns have been registered i Canada since 1934.  In 1991, 

Bill C-17 was passed with banned some "assault weapons."  This is not 

enough people control for the Liberal Party that heads the Government.  

Justice Minister Allan Rock drafted Bill C-68.



	On June 13, 1995 the Canadian House of Commons, controlled by the 

Liberal Party, passed this legislation, requiring the registration of  

all rifles and shotguns.  All firearms' owners will be required to obtain 

a license ot legally possess any firearm.  Additionally all firearms 

with a barrel length of less than 105 mm (4.14 inches) would be banned, as 

well as, all .25 and .32 Caliber pistols.  Existing owners of prohibited 

firearms can keep them by obtaining  a registration certificate 

prior to the enactment date of the bill.  They will be confiscated upon 

the death of the registered owner.



	According to figures presented by the Ontario Handgun 

Association, fifty-eight percent of all legally owned handguns will be 

prohibited by this legislation.  The cost of this registration as 

estimated by Professor Gary Mauser of the Fraser Institute is minimally 

$410 million.  If one includes the additional personnel, computer 

software and enforcement costs, the cost could easily exceed $1 billion.



	The Canadian Constitution is based on English common law, as is 

the United States Constitution.



	English common law dates back to the Magna Carta's foundation for 

limitation of government powers codified in 1215.  Common law holds that 

any act that is not illegal is considered legal.



	As passed by the House of Commons, C-68 would undermine at least 

four basic liberties.  It would allow the Government to search a private 

home without a warrant.  Private property could be confiscated without 

compensation.  it would suspend the right to refuse to cooperate with the 

police, assign guilt by association and remove to right to remain 

silent.  And it would create a "reverse onus"--it would require the 

individual charged to prove her/his innocence rather than assuming she/he 

is innocent until proven guilty.



	As written this bill provides for the complete erosion of 

individual rights.  The government could in the name of the public safety 

criminalize any behavior that it deemed undesirable.



	C-68 is currently before the Canadian Senate controlled by 

members of the Tories--Progressive Conservative Party.  This body has 

been loath to use its statutory legislative equality.  The Senate has 

occasionally overridden the House of Commons.  The last bill voted down 

was in 1991.



	In last June, hearings in the Senate legal and Constitutional 

Affairs Committee were held.  Allan Rock, the bill's chief proponent, as 

well as members of the bureaucracy and representatives of police unions 

testified for adoption.  The consensus is that the best hope is that the 

Senate will add an amendment to C-68 that the House would be able to 

pass.  Then Parliament may "Peruck" (to take off the wig) and adjourn.  

The Bill must be introduced into the next session.



	In late September, final hearings will be held on C-68.  It is 

assumed that members of recreational firearms' groups, collectors, 

outdoorsmen, and Canadian Association of Civil Liberties will testify.  

Interestingly, there is little public support for the concept of 

self-defense.  Defense is even spelled differently in Canada--DEFENCE.  

In 1977, self-defense was stricken as a legitimate reason for owning 

firearm.  If you use a firearm in self-defense you will automatically be 

charged.



	This legislation has been presented to the Canadian people under 

the pretense of a solution to what is perceives as a social ill.  The 

bureaucracy (with a capital B and proceeded by the word Royal according 

to one source) determines and interprets all regulations, 



	Remember that the failed policies of this political system are 

exactly what Bill Clinton is trying to establish in this country.  In 

fact he "applauded the government's efforts for further gun control" in 

his recent visit to our northern neighbors.



	If we do not exercise due diligence, we may find our civil 

liberties disappearing at an even faster rate.  Like the Canadian 

government, our Government is inherently involved in maintaining the 

fallacy that it acts for the common good.





Julianne Versnel Gottlieb

Publisher





Personal Parting Shots...

Hope to see you all at the Gun Rights

Policy Conference. Thanks to Gary 

Mauser, Larry Whitmore and the li-

brarian at Newport Way. School time 

again and 6 a.m. wakeups for all my 

treasures. TTFN, CUL--jvgh@saf.org