Justice Minister Doug Schweitzer and Premier jason Kenney (Photo: Government of Alberta)

By Troy Gillard

'ASSERTING PROVINCIAL JURISDICTION'

Alberta to appoint provincial chief firearms officer

Jun 18, 2020 | 4:56 PM

The provincial government will be appointing a chief provincial firearms officer in response to the Canadian Firearms Program.

Officials say the provincial officer will replace the federally designated chief firearms officer, giving Alberta a greater role in the administration of firearms policy.

“By appointing a provincial chief firearms officer, Alberta is asserting its provincial jurisdiction. It is also a step towards a system of firearms administration in the province that is rooted in the values and priorities of law-abiding Albertans,” Premier Jason Kenney said in a release on Wednesday. “In Alberta, we will ensure we have a system of firearms policies and governance measures that protect Albertans, prosecute criminals and deter illegal gun crime rather than persecuting law-abiding citizens.”

Last month, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the federal government was banning a range of 1,500 assault-style guns. The ban means these firearms can no longer be legally used, sold or imported.

Many gun owners in Alberta criticized the ban as being an overreach that goes after law abiding owners instead of criminals.

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On June 3, the Alberta government announced that a provincial firearms advisory committee was being created to work with the newly appointed officer to create policies that reflect Albertans needs.

Alberta’s chief provincial firearms office is expected to be in place in 2021.