Stephen Harper has spelled out the Conservative Party policy on gun control. Releasing the Conservative Party plan for Canada's criminal justice system on June 1, 2004, Harper said that if his party is elected they will cancel the Canadian gun registry and redirect funds allocated for it to front-line law enforcement.
Cancelling the Gun Registry
The Conservative Party plan says that current gun control laws, including the provisions for registration of firearms, would be replaced by a practical firearms control system that is cost-effective and respects the "rights" of Canadians to own and use guns responsibly.
The plan also says there should be stronger penalties for those who use guns to commit a crime.
The Conservatives say they will work with the provinces on cost-effective gun-control programs. Specific measures would include:
Improving Law Enforcement
The Conservative Party says that the annual $25 million in maintenance costs of the gun registry would be redirected to improving law enforcement. The Conservative plan adds that hidden costs of the current gun registry may bring the total closer to $100 million a year that could be redirected to improved law enforcement.
Specific law enforcement measures the Conservative Party plan mentions are:
