A Matter of Contempt: The Government’s Information on Bill C-71

A few days ago, the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs began its investigation of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and “contempt of parliament.” The hearing arises out of information the RCMP – the government agency responsible for firearm licensing, registration, and classification – had posted online at its Canadian Firearms Program (CFP) website regarding Bill C-71. Bill C-71, a gun control measure, was introduced on March 30 and includes a proposed reclassification of certain guns, CZ 858 and Swiss Arms (SA) rifles, from “non-restricted” or “restricted” to “prohibited” firearms. This change would affect thousands of Canadian gun owners who currently lawfully possess such guns. As of early November, Bill C-71 has not been passed.