Smith defends gun rights, vows to fight Liberal confiscation plan
by Isaac Lamoureux, True North
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith doubled down on using every power available to the provincial government to defend firearm rights and thwart the Liberals’ gun confiscation scheme.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith doubled down on using every power available to the provincial government to defend firearm rights and thwart the Liberals’ gun confiscation scheme.
“We told the municipalities, ‘No, you can’t have a handgun ban. That is not municipal jurisdiction.’ We told the RCMP, ‘No, you cannot participate in the confiscation scheme,’” said Smith.
She added that the Alberta UCP has also told sheriffs and municipal police that anyone who wants to participate in the confiscation program would require a permit from the justice minister. However, she added that no such permit would be issued.
Her comments came in response to audience questions at the Alberta Next town hall in Lloydminster on August 27.
The audience member reminded Smith that Canada’s Public Safety Minister, Gary Anandasangree, could not answer basic questions on Canada’s gun laws. The questioner added that the minister had to recuse himself from Tamil Tigers terrorism discussions, too.
“I will not be handing them over to the federal government because I’m not supposed to give my firearms to criminals,” said the questioner.
Smith said the province will be within its rights to regulate the legal use of firearms so that Albertans can continue to own, collect, and use them for sport shooting, hunting, and other purposes.