GUNS/BARMS

[SkeBallLarry]

Gun owners burn registry forms
Last Updated Sat, 21 Dec 2002 18:17:59
NORTH BATTLEFORD, SASK. - Protesters in rural Saskatchewan tossed play money down a toilet Saturday as they denounced the federal firearms registry and its bloated budget.
INDEPTH: Gun Control
The government has told Canadians to apply to register their guns by the end of the year.
'Money flushed down the toilet' is how protesters describe the registryBut many of the demonstrators said they have no intention of doing so, even if it means going to jail. Some set fire to their registration certificates.
The protest near North Battleford drew just over 100 people who arrived by the truckload at a farmer's field, accompanied by their member of the provincial legislature.
As a Liberal, Jack Hillson used to support the gun registry. But after it received a damning report this month from Canada's auditor general, Hillson said he changed his mind.
FROM DEC. 12, 2002: Gun registry scaled back after funding problems
In her report, Sheila Fraser said running the registry is expected to cost as much as $1 billion by 2005, up from original estimates of $2 million.
Saturday's protestThe government froze $72 million in further funding after receiving the report.
It's time the government gave up on the program altogether, said gun owner Bill Risling.
"I don't think Canadians want this money flushed down the toilet any longer," he said. "Just scrap the gun law and let's get on with life."
Others called the registry a violation of privacy and completely ineffective.
"People who own guns that are registered are still going to use them, say, if they want to kill themselves," said Kathryn O'Driscoll. "They're still going to get stolen. It doesn't help."
After New Year's, people who get caught with unregistered guns could face fines of up to $2,000 and six months in jail.
RCMP Const. Tim Popp drove to the protest and stopped, but didn't get out of his cruiser. He said he'll have to enforce the law. "But I'll be dealing with the common folk, you know, people that I live beside."
Written by CBC News Online staff



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