A new law will now allow the temporary suspension of a firearms licence without a hearing.
Minister of Official Languages and Associate Minister of Public Safety Rachel Bendayan announced sweeping measures on March 7 that included banning another 179 firearms models. Yellow flag laws were also announced. These laws, which are part of Bill C-21, took effect immediately.
The yellow flag law allows temporary suspension of a firearms licence for 30 days “when there is a reason for the Chief Firearms Officer to suspect the person is no longer eligible to hold the licence,” RCMP Media Relations Officer Camille Boily-Lavoie said.
Hunting and firearms groups fear that the new law, which does not allow hearings or appeals, will allow targeted complaints. Particularly worrisome is that the identity of the complainant is not revealed in the process.
New laws sparks OFAH concern
“Ever since the introduction of Bill C-21, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) has expressed concerns about the red and yellow flag laws,” OFAH Policy Manager Mark Ryckman said.
“Allowing anyone to call into question licence eligibility, without possibility of appeal or advanced notice to the licence holder, could create a system that is ripe for abuse and vexatious claims. We sincerely hope the judicial system will establish a strict system for reviewing claims that effectively eliminates fake claims, but that remains to be seen.”
Boily-Lavoie added that “Individuals under licence suspension are not permitted to use, acquire, or import firearms, but are permitted to maintain any firearms in their possession at the time of suspension. If the reasonable suspicion is eliminated prior to the end of the 30 days, the licence is reinstated.”
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