EXCLUSIVE: MacKay backed current Trudeau-style gun bans in 2000
An op-ed written by Peter MacKay in 2000 argued that in perfect gun legislation “assault rifles and automatic weapons will be banned.”
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An op-ed written by Peter MacKay in 2000 argued that in perfect gun legislation “assault rifles and automatic weapons will be banned.”
An op-ed written by Conservative leadership candidate Peter MacKay in 2000 argued that in perfect gun legislation "assault rifles and automatic weapons will be banned."
Writing in a Nova Scotian newspaper, MacKay argued that gun legislation was due a dramatic overhaul and listed what he thought the government should set out to achieve.
"The goals of gun control legislation should be to ensure that: money is spent where it is needed, on policing and crime prevention," said MacKay.
"Those convicted of gun related crimes will receive mandatory stiffer sentences. The use of guns in criminal acts will impact sentences, bond and the parole of criminals."
More importantly, however, MacKay finished his list by saying "the registration of pistols and handguns with police will continue to be mandatory. Assault rifles and automatic weapons will be banned."
It is unclear whether MacKay's stance on gun regulation has changed since he penned this op-ed.
On Thursday, the current Trudeau government said that they have plans to target legal firearms. According to the Globe and Mail, Trudeau is set to ban the AR-15 and the Ruger Mini-14. This rhymes closely with what MacKay proposed in 2000.
This bill will be officially announced by the end of this week, but most of the important policy has already been confirmed by Trudeau's government.
Speaking to The Post Millennial, Blair Hagan Executive Vice President of Canada's National Firearms Association said that "'Assault Rifles,' fully automatic or select fire military rifles are already banned in Canada, for over 40 years."
"What is being proposed is a ban on semi automatic rifles," he added. "Some semi automatic rifles are restricted and registered, like handguns. The majority of semi automatic rifles are not."
"The Liberal gun registry of the 1990's/2000's sought to locate these firearms and identify the owners in order to facilitate confiscation. This is part of the reason the program failed so badly. Canadians believed that it was a prelude to confiscation, and it looks like they were proven right."
Peter MacKay's campaign did not respond to The Post Millennial's request for a comment.
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