Alberta announces first provincial chief firearms officer

In response to the Fair Deal Panel report, Alberta’s government appointed a chief firearms officer to champion and defend the rights of law-abiding firearms owners.

Teri Bryant is Alberta’s first-ever appointee to the newly created Chief Firearms Office. The role determines licensing eligibility, compliance with legislation, overseeing the administration of firearms safety courses and other duties that previously fell to the federal government.

She will also advocate for responsible federal firearms legislation to deter criminals, respect property rights and make sure Albertans continue to live in safe and secure communities.

"I am delighted to welcome the province’s first-ever designated chief firearms officer," said Justice Minister Kaycee Madu. "I know she will be promoting a system of firearms administration in this province that is rooted in the values and priorities of Albertans and will fight hard for the legitimate rights of Alberta’s lawful gun owners."

Madu adds he would be joined later this year by the new chief firearms officer on a tour of Alberta shooting ranges to connect directly with Albertans who own and use firearms. Planned stops for the tour will be released at a later date.

"As a lifelong firearms collector and enthusiast, I could not be more excited for this opportunity to represent Albertans and stand up for our province’s way of life and lawful firearms culture," said Bryant. "I cannot wait to meet with other passionate Albertans with Minister Madu on our tour to find out how we can get a fair deal for Albertans.”

As a member of the Alberta Firearms Advisory Committee, Bryant served as the secretary of the Alberta Arms and Cartridge Collectors Association for the past 16 years and is the president of the Military Collectors Club of Canada. She was an associate professor with the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary on national and international business.

As the chief firearms officer, Bryant will demonstrate that public safety and a flourishing firearms community are mutually complementary goals. The Alberta government said she would ensure that we preserve for future generations a firearms heritage that reflects Alberta’s values of safety, responsibility and respect for individual rights.

Michaela Glasgo, MLA for Brooks-Medicine Hat and chair of, Alberta Firearms Advisory Committee, weighed in on the appointment and the importance of having a provincial chief firearms officer.

"A comment we heard over and over again when talking to Albertans through the Alberta Firearms Advisory Committee was that Alberta needs a provincial chief firearms officer," she said.

"I believe appointing Teri Bryant is a smart step – she is a talented and knowledgeable leader who is an extremely valuable member of the committee. I know she will work hard to get a fair deal for Albertans."

Glasgow adds that it's a challenging time to be a firearms owner in Alberta and that she is optimistic that Bryant "can provide a strong voice to stand up for our way of life and personal property rights."

The federal Canadian Firearms Program is responsible for administering the Firearms Act and regulations, but under the federal Firearms Act, provinces may opt-in and administer the Canadian Firearms Program through a provincial chief firearms officer.

The federal government administers the program through a federal chief firearms officer for provinces that opt-out. Alberta is now opting-in, joining Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Saskatchewan is also in the process of transitioning to a provincial chief firearms officer.

The Chief Firearms office was created in response to the Fair Deal Panel report, as well as telephone town hall sessions and a public survey conducted by the Alberta Firearms Advisory Committee. As of December 31, 2019, there were 326,519 licensed firearms owners in Alberta.