NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh told the Assembly of First Nations he will not approve the provision of Bill C-21 which bans select hunting rifles. .“Any amendment in any way that contravenes your treaty rights is an amendment we will not support,” said Singh in a Thursday speech. .“We obviously want to keep our communities safe, and we will protect treaty rights.” .The Canadian Shooting Sports Association said on November 22 rumours the federal government will ban semi-automatic guns are confirmed after an amendment was proposed to Bill C-21. .READ MORE: Canadian government proposes to ban semi-automatic weapons.The amendment was put in to ban all semi-automatic rifles and shotguns capable of taking an external magazine. .Clause 1 in Bill C-21 would be changed to say a rifle or shotgun “that is capable of discharging centre-fire ammunition in a semi-automatic manner and that is designed to accept a detachable cartridge magazine with a capacity greater than five cartridges of the type for which the firearm was originally designed.” The amendment has several firearms identified by name. .Singh said the NDP believes in treaty and land rights. He added protecting and upholding these rights are fundamental. .He concluded by saying that is “something that stands generally and specifically as it applies to Bill C-21.” .This announcement comes after the Tsilhqot’in National Government (TNG) expressed concerns with the amendment to Bill C-21 on Tuesday. .READ MORE: BC indigenous tribe questions amendment to Bill C-21.“We need answers,” said TNG Tribal Chair Joe Alphonse. .“Bill C-21 was supposed to be a bill that restricted handguns and now it is targeting hunting rifles.”
