As many of you have heard the RCMP have reclassified some of our favourite rifles, here is a brief explanation from our friends over at CGN (Canadian Gun Nuts):
I hope this brief can serve as a primer for those who try to understand and begin to follow the reclassification and prohibition issue of Swiss Arms and CZ858 rifles. This is not a complete article. It is more of the bare basics on the subject to help people to dive deeper into the different aspects of the issue.
Q: What firearms are affected?
A: Swiss Arms Rifles ( classic green rifle and carbines, and versions of different colours)
CZ 858 tactical 2P, 2V and 4P proofed after 2007 ( similar rifles made by CSA, CZ2003, VZ58 and FSN models are not prohibited as of now)
Q: How many of these firearms are in the hands of Canadians, and for how long?
A: There are approximately 12,000 of these firearms legally obtained by Canadians in the last 12 years.
Q: How are these firearms become “banned” or “prohibited”
A: The RCMP has access to something called “FRT”: firearms reference table. It is a database of all firearm models in Canada. The table includes the classification of each firearm model, whether it is “non-restricted”, “restricted” or outright illegal as “prohibited. The RCMP effectively banned the said firearms by changing the status of these firearms from either “non-restricted” or “restricted” to “prohibited. This is what we mean by “reclassification”.
Q: Has the government or the RCMP officially announced they are “reclassifying” said firearms to “prohibited”?
A: The “reclassification” was un-announced and completed without informing the public ahead. It was only confirmed when firearm activists were able to obtain screen shots of the FRT table on the computer.
Q: What is current situation?
A: The government has just been made aware of the situation. A 5 year amnesty is being tabled by the Minister of Public Safety. Details are not known yet.
Q: So what does it mean in “real life”, if I have one of these firearms?
A: Until the Amnesty becomes effective, if you and your firearm are being queried by a law enforcement officer together right now, it is reasonable to assume that when the law enforcement officer looks up the FRT, he will see that the firearm in your possession is a “prohibited” firearm.
Q: Is the Amnesty the final solution?
A: The Amnesty should be a temporary measure to prevent the owners from being prosecuted while a permanent solution is being sought.
Q: Are more firearms going to be “reclassified”?
A: We do not know yet.
Q: This is such an outrage! What can I do as a citizen, even though I am not interested in firearms.
A: Write and call your MP, as well as the PMO ( the Prime Minister Office) Tell them:
- It is completely unacceptable for the RCMP to make ordinary Canadians criminals by quietly making reclassification and prohibiting legally obtained properties, without any input from the stakeholders and oversight by independent 3rd parties;
- The way firearms are classified and “prohibited” is deeply flawed. The amnesty is a temporary measure. A permanent solution must be sought.
- The current Firearms Act is the root of the problem. It is highly discriminating against sportsmen and semi automatic modern sporting rifles. The government needs to recognize semi automatic modern sporting rifles are the popular choice of Canadian sportsmen through changes to the Firearms Act.
Click here to find out the contact information of your MP by postal code
Also, please take a look at what fellow Canadians are doing to fight this injustice:
News and Actions on the Reclassification and Prohibition of Swiss Arms and CZ858 Rifles
A very sensible petition started by MP Rob Anders which every gun owner should support:
