Drizzt
Member
MANITOBA REFUSES TO PROSECUTE FIREARM REGISTRATION OFFENCES
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Prosecution Policy Leads Provinces in Opposition To Federal Government's Gun Registration Scheme: Mackintosh
Manitoba confirmed today its prosecution policy directing Crown attorneys not to prosecute any firearm registration offences issued under either the Firearms Act or the Criminal Code.
"We have been opposed to the federal government's registry scheme right from the beginning," said Attorney General Gord Mackintosh. "There is no benefit to the public in making criminals out of hunters and farmers, and it is a waste of time and resources to have provincial Crown attorneys prosecuting registration offences."
Most charges are likely to be laid by police under the Firearms Act, which the provincial government does not enforce. Where police lay charges under the Criminal Code, which the provincial government is generally required to prosecute, Manitoba will request that the federal government prosecute these charges. Should the federal government decline, Manitoba will stay these charges on the basis that prosecution by the province is contrary to the public interest.
"It is not in the public interest to prosecute offences that are trivial in nature and do not enhance public safety," said Mackintosh.
"Our policy will force the federal government to assume responsibility for enforcement, and will allow Manitobans to hold the federal government responsible for its own laws," said Mackintosh. "Our provincial policy has evolved to the point where we have pushed the legal limits in order to take a stand against this ill-conceived federal boondoggle. Taking this stand is particularly important as we move closer to the federally announced July 1 implementation date after which police could begin to lay charges."
Additionally, Manitoba Conservation officers will not administer or enforce long gun registration laws. Officers checking firearm users in the field will not be inspecting camps to check for compliance.
"The primary responsibility of Manitoba Conservation is the management of the province's natural resources, not to waste time and energy enforcing ineffective federal laws," said Conservation Minister Steve Ashton.
Manitoba does not expect to incur any costs associated with the administration of the federal registration scheme. Reimbursement of any unexpected costs will be sought from the federal government.
"The federal costs associated with implementing this scheme have grown into the billions," said Mackintosh. "We believe these resources could have been more effectively used in proven crime prevention efforts and in prosecuting serious crimes that pose a real threat to our communities and citizens."
http://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/press/top/2003/04/2003-04-15-02.html
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Prosecution Policy Leads Provinces in Opposition To Federal Government's Gun Registration Scheme: Mackintosh
Manitoba confirmed today its prosecution policy directing Crown attorneys not to prosecute any firearm registration offences issued under either the Firearms Act or the Criminal Code.
"We have been opposed to the federal government's registry scheme right from the beginning," said Attorney General Gord Mackintosh. "There is no benefit to the public in making criminals out of hunters and farmers, and it is a waste of time and resources to have provincial Crown attorneys prosecuting registration offences."
Most charges are likely to be laid by police under the Firearms Act, which the provincial government does not enforce. Where police lay charges under the Criminal Code, which the provincial government is generally required to prosecute, Manitoba will request that the federal government prosecute these charges. Should the federal government decline, Manitoba will stay these charges on the basis that prosecution by the province is contrary to the public interest.
"It is not in the public interest to prosecute offences that are trivial in nature and do not enhance public safety," said Mackintosh.
"Our policy will force the federal government to assume responsibility for enforcement, and will allow Manitobans to hold the federal government responsible for its own laws," said Mackintosh. "Our provincial policy has evolved to the point where we have pushed the legal limits in order to take a stand against this ill-conceived federal boondoggle. Taking this stand is particularly important as we move closer to the federally announced July 1 implementation date after which police could begin to lay charges."
Additionally, Manitoba Conservation officers will not administer or enforce long gun registration laws. Officers checking firearm users in the field will not be inspecting camps to check for compliance.
"The primary responsibility of Manitoba Conservation is the management of the province's natural resources, not to waste time and energy enforcing ineffective federal laws," said Conservation Minister Steve Ashton.
Manitoba does not expect to incur any costs associated with the administration of the federal registration scheme. Reimbursement of any unexpected costs will be sought from the federal government.
"The federal costs associated with implementing this scheme have grown into the billions," said Mackintosh. "We believe these resources could have been more effectively used in proven crime prevention efforts and in prosecuting serious crimes that pose a real threat to our communities and citizens."
http://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/press/top/2003/04/2003-04-15-02.html