Premier Tony Wakeham says he will be speaking with both of the province’s police forces regarding their decision not to participate in the federal Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program.
Under that program, people who own firearms that have become illegal can submit a declaration to receive compensation in exchange for either turning the gun in, or having it deactivated.
Newfoundland and Labrador became the latest province to opt out of the program earlier this week.
Premier Tony Wakeham (VOCM News)
Ottawa says while participating in the program is optional, complying with the law is not, and after an amnesty period ends on October 30 people who own such firearms could face criminal charges.
When asked about police in this province enforcing any bans, Wakeham says he will be speaking with the RNC and RCMP about that.
Wakeham says they need to keep the conversation going, and that it is the “wrong move” to take guns from “legitimate gun owners.” He continues that “law-abiding citizens aren’t the problem here, and so we need to keep that in focus and we will continue to work on that.”
