Justice Minister Doug Schweitzer (left) and Premier Jason Kenney (right). (Government of Alberta)

By rdnewsNOW staff

kenney weighs in

Kenney slams federal firearms ban

May 1, 2020 | 3:40 PM

Alberta’s premier says the federal government is unfairly targeting law-abiding citizens.

On Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that, effective immediately, it is no longer legal to buy, sell, transport, import, or use 1,500 “military-grade assault weapons.” The cabinet order does not prohibit people who currently own them from having them.

Premier Jason Kenney issued a statement in opposition to the gun control measure.

“The Government of Alberta is concerned about all crime, including the illegal use of firearms. Today’s order by Ottawa does little to target criminals. Instead, Ottawa is singling out law-abiding Canadians who purchased their property legally, have owned these items safely for years, and who have committed no crimes.”

He adds that the “overwhelming majority” of guns used criminally in Canada were legally obtained in the U.S. and smuggled into the country.

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“That money would be far better used to pursue the smugglers and drug gangs that plague our society,”

Justice Minister Doug Schweitzer says violent criminals in Canada who use guns are often released with “surprisingly soft sentences.”

“Rather than focus on law-abiding Canadians, we’d call on Parliament to bring back tough, mandatory sentences for the criminals who flagrantly endanger Canadians with their use of illegal guns.”

Schweitzer adds that the Government of Alberta will scrutinize Ottawa’s decision and will explore “potential responses through this lens.”

Kenney looks to consider appointing their own Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) to replace the one appointed by the federal government.