FIREARMS FACTS UPDATE

14 MONTHS LATER THE JUSTICE DEPT. ADMITS

THEY DO HAVE SOME DATA ON THE NUMBER OF HANDGUN AUTHORIZATION TO CARRY PERMITS

 

APRIL 16, 2003: BREITKREUZ'S ACCESS TO INFORMATION ACT REQUEST

 

The Federal Chief Firearms Officer Services Policy Manual states:

An individual may be authorized to carry restricted firearms or certain handguns (as prescribed in Section 12(6) of the Firearms Act) for two purposes: (1) protection of life, and (2) lawful occupation which includes employees of the armoured vehicle industry and those who require firearms for protection of life from wild animals while working the remote wilderness.  Please provide copies of reports showing how many Authorization to Carry permits have been issued in each province for each stated purpose.

 

MAY 5, 2003: “NO RECORDS” JUSTICE DEPT. RESPONSE – FILE: A-2003-0030

 

“I must advise you that a search of the records under the control of the Department of Justice has revealed none on this subject.”

 

MAY 15, 2003: COMPLAINT FILED WITH INFORMATION COMMISSIONER

 

I believe the Canadian Firearms Centre has the information exactly as requested and I respectfully request that you to ask them to look harder.  Authorizations to Carry permits are critical documents for the citizens who carry concealed firearms for self-protection and for police to know who is in their jurisdiction that have permits to carry a concealed firearm.  I believe this information is provided to police on a regular basis and the cumulative numbers should also be available to Parliamentarians.  This information is essential so that we can provide the best information and advice to constituents seeking such permits because their lives are in danger.  And, it is especially important considering that former Justice Minister Allan Rock once said at a public meeting: “"... protection of life is not a legitimate use for a firearm in this country sir! Not!  That is expressly ruled out!”  Thanks for your help to uncover the truth.

 

JULY 12, 2004: EUREKA! JUSTICE DEPT. DOES HAVE SOME RECORDS

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As you are aware, at the time of your original request, we were unable to respond as we did not have the data.  Please note that we now have the data to respond to your second question relating to the number of permits that have been issued in each province for “employees of the armoured vehicle industry and those who require firearms for protection of life from wild animals while working the remote wilderness” and I am please to enclose all documents relevant to that portion of your request, which are released in their entirety (2 pages).  Please note however that, although the Firearms Act makes provisions for “protection of life”, the Authorization to Carry” does not have a separate category for this data and therefore, we are unable to respond to your first question.  This completes the processing of your request.

 

 

AUTHORIZATION TO CARRY PERMITS, BY PROVINCE, 1999-2002

http://www.cssa-cila.org/garryb/publications/ATCs1999-2002.xls