The province has introduced the Alberta Firearms Act, March 7, 2023. (Photo 156505178 © Lisa Bourgeault | Dreamstime.com)

By Justin Goulet

Province introduces Alberta Firearms Act

Mar 7, 2023 | 3:22 PM

EDMONTON, AB – The provincial government has introduced new legislation aimed at strengthening Alberta’s ability to regulate, administer, and advocate on behalf of firearms owners.

If passed, the Alberta Firearms Act will help clarify the role of the Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) within provincial legislation and require the CFO to issue an annual report to boost public accountability.

Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Tyler Shandro said, “Once passed, the Alberta Firearms Act will be the most comprehensive provincial firearms framework in the country.”

He added, “By establishing in legislation the role of Alberta Chief Firearms Officer, this legislation will elevate the responsibilities and legal mandate of the office to the fullest extent of the law. Alberta stands unequivocally with hunters, farmers, sport shooters, and Indigenous peoples, all of whom understand the importance of responsible firearm ownership to Alberta’s heritage and culture.”

Additionally, the province said the act will introduce the ability to make regulations that would allow for the licensing of seizure agents, and the development a Firearms Compensation Committee, which would set out Alberta’s expectation that owners receive fair compensation for their firearms.

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Teri Bryant is the province’s Chief Firearms Officer. Bryant said, “An Alberta Firearms Act will provide stronger support to the law-abiding firearms community whose activities are essential to the economic vibrancy and cultural heritage of our province.”

The government noted that the act would give officials the ability to create requirements for forensic and ballistic testing of all confiscated firearms when deemed necessary, and lead to the requirement that municipalities and municipal police services meet regulatory prerequisites before entering into any firearms-related funding agreements with the Government of Canada.

The province said there are over 341,000 possession/acquisition license holders in Alberta, and Albertans own the second-highest number of firearms classified as restricted or prohibited by the federal government. British Columbia and Quebec currently have legislation that regulates firearms outside of hunting and wildlife legislation, with Saskatchewan having recently introduced its own legislation to regulate firearms.

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