Liberal Public Safety Minister Bill Blair is scrambling to calm the firearms community as the details of his government’s sweeping firearms ban appears to include a blanket ban on most standard hunting shotguns..In addition to banning 1,500 firearms by specific make and model, the gun ban includes far-reaching new regulations banning firearms with a bore of 20 mm or more. Most 10 and 12 gauge shotguns with a removable choke have a bore of 20 mm or more, and would therefore be banned under the new regulations imposed by the federal cabinet..Despite the wording of the regulations, Blair says that the ban does not apply to standard hunting shotguns..“Earlier today, the [Canadian Sport Shooting Association] issued a statement alleging that our government is banning 12 and 10 gauge shotguns. This is absolutely incorrect and we will be reaching out to them to correct their misunderstanding. Both 10 and 12 gauge shotguns are under the 20mm provision, and thus not subject to the prohibition. Our government is taking action to protect Canadians by banning assault-style weapons – not those used for hunting. The truth matters.”.Blair’s clarification does not appear to have made much clear for many gun owners however. Large numbers of 10 and 12 gauge shotguns with a removable choke have a bore that are 20 mm or more, and are therefore illegal under the regulations, and at odds with Blair’s statement.. Screen Shot 2020-05-06 at 10.14.03 AM12 gauge shotgun (Source: St. Croix Courier) .The Canadian Sport Shooting Association [CSSA] says that Blair may just not understand what his own regulations mean in practice..“Minister Blair is either too inept to comprehend the scope of his regulations…or he lied to the Government and Canadians…The list was incoherent.”.The Western Standard has asked Blair’s office to clarify if it intends to revise its regulations to specifically exempt 10 and 12 gauge shotguns from the ban, but has received no response as of press time..To sort out the conflicting information and statements, the Western Standard has assembled a short fact-check below.. The bore of a 12 gauge Mossberg 935 standard hunting shotgunThe bore of a 12 gauge Mossberg 935 standard hunting shotgun, commonly used for hunting waterfowl and geese. .Regulation: All firearms with a bore of 20 mm or more are now prohibited..Blair Statement: “Both 10 and 12 gauge shotguns are under the 20mm provision, and thus not subject to the prohibition.”.10 and 12 gauge shotguns: Most with a removable choke exceed 20 mm and are therefore prohibited under the regulations (see photo above)..Is your shotgun now illegal?: According to the regulations, yes. According to Minister Blair, no.
Liberal Public Safety Minister Bill Blair is scrambling to calm the firearms community as the details of his government’s sweeping firearms ban appears to include a blanket ban on most standard hunting shotguns..In addition to banning 1,500 firearms by specific make and model, the gun ban includes far-reaching new regulations banning firearms with a bore of 20 mm or more. Most 10 and 12 gauge shotguns with a removable choke have a bore of 20 mm or more, and would therefore be banned under the new regulations imposed by the federal cabinet..Despite the wording of the regulations, Blair says that the ban does not apply to standard hunting shotguns..“Earlier today, the [Canadian Sport Shooting Association] issued a statement alleging that our government is banning 12 and 10 gauge shotguns. This is absolutely incorrect and we will be reaching out to them to correct their misunderstanding. Both 10 and 12 gauge shotguns are under the 20mm provision, and thus not subject to the prohibition. Our government is taking action to protect Canadians by banning assault-style weapons – not those used for hunting. The truth matters.”.Blair’s clarification does not appear to have made much clear for many gun owners however. Large numbers of 10 and 12 gauge shotguns with a removable choke have a bore that are 20 mm or more, and are therefore illegal under the regulations, and at odds with Blair’s statement.. Screen Shot 2020-05-06 at 10.14.03 AM12 gauge shotgun (Source: St. Croix Courier) .The Canadian Sport Shooting Association [CSSA] says that Blair may just not understand what his own regulations mean in practice..“Minister Blair is either too inept to comprehend the scope of his regulations…or he lied to the Government and Canadians…The list was incoherent.”.The Western Standard has asked Blair’s office to clarify if it intends to revise its regulations to specifically exempt 10 and 12 gauge shotguns from the ban, but has received no response as of press time..To sort out the conflicting information and statements, the Western Standard has assembled a short fact-check below.. The bore of a 12 gauge Mossberg 935 standard hunting shotgunThe bore of a 12 gauge Mossberg 935 standard hunting shotgun, commonly used for hunting waterfowl and geese. .Regulation: All firearms with a bore of 20 mm or more are now prohibited..Blair Statement: “Both 10 and 12 gauge shotguns are under the 20mm provision, and thus not subject to the prohibition.”.10 and 12 gauge shotguns: Most with a removable choke exceed 20 mm and are therefore prohibited under the regulations (see photo above)..Is your shotgun now illegal?: According to the regulations, yes. According to Minister Blair, no.
