Source: Published Monday, January 1, 2001, in the Miami Herald

Gun Owners Scurry to Beat Deadline for New
Registration Law

`I've done over 200 applications in 3 1/2 days. People have had 25 months.'
-- KEN MORRISON,

Canadian Press

Tardy gun owners who waited until the last minute to comply with Ottawa's gun control legislation were scrambling on the holiday weekend to fill in license applications, sell their firearms or simply hand them over to police.

The law calls for all owners to have a license allowing them to own guns by today or face criminal charges that could result in up to five years in jail and seizure of their firearms.

But the Justice Department has said anyone applying before the deadline will be immune from legal repercussions until June 30.

``It's been stressful,'' said Ken Morrison, a firearms registration officer for the area of Dauphin, Man. ``I've done over 200 applications in the last 3 1/2 days,'' he said. ``People have had 25 months. What can I say? They've been advised on radio and TV that the deadline is fast approaching.''

The next phase of the law takes effect in two years, when gun owners must register each firearm. Morrison said some procrastinators told him they were waiting until after the federal election to see if the Canadian Alliance would win and then shoot down the legislation.

Others simply seem to have let it go too long or didn't realize they had to have licenses by Jan. 1. ``We've had a number of people calling in for directions,'' said Sgt. Rick Forsman with the Ontario Provincial Police in North Bay.

BEING LATE COSTS

Many of the calls came from panicky people looking for extensions, he said. ``All we can do is advise them that today (Sunday) is the cutoff.''

People who applied in time paid a $10 licensing fee. That fee is now $60 and a firearms course costing between $30 and $60 is also mandatory.

Others trying to apply in time were foiled by postal outlets running out of applications or couldn't get through to the government's 800 line or website to get information. ``They're going all over the place,'' said Bill Cross, manager of a postal outlet in Calgary's Market Mall. ``When they get here, they're upset.''

Brian Dwyre, owner of Gun-Mart Inc. in Brockville, Ont., said the last-minute scramble is inevitable. ``I think that human nature being what it is, a lot of people procrastinated until the bitter end and there was no help available for them.''

He said most gun owners in the area were trying to comply so they can continue to buy ammunition or get new firearms. ``We've got a big hunting heritage,'' Dwyre said. ``They are not going to give up their hunting . . . because the government changes the rules.''

There are also owners who say they can't be bothered and are trying to sell their guns or handing them over to police. The government is probably delighted that people are turning in or selling their guns because ``that's one of the effects the system is designed to have,'' said a member of the National Firearms Association.

Dave Tomlinson, chairman of the association's legal committee, said the new law will fuel a growing Canadian black market for guns. ``There's also undoubtedly some people who are stockpiling ammunition to be dealers for people who don't have the license.''

Another opponent of the legislation said he believes most gun owners won't sign up.

``It is long from over. It is really long from over,'' said Tony Rodgers of the Nova Scotia Wildlife Federation.

CONFLICT CONTINUES

Rodgers said he believes there are between five million and seven million Canadians who own firearms, and the majority don't have licenses.

But the president of the Coalition for Gun Control said she believes almost two million of a government-estimated 2.2 million gun owners have already applied for licenses.

Wendy Cukier, whose group is supported by more than 350 organizations, including the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, said it doesn't bother her that Ottawa is extending the amnesty period for six months. ``I've been working on this for 11 years. Six more months is not a big deal.''

Some provinces, such as Alberta and Saskatchewan, have said they are in no hurry to enforce gun control. Alberta had gone so far as to challenge the law in court along with several other provinces, the territories and the gun lobby, but Ottawa declared victory in June when the Supreme Court upheld the legislation.