The province’s police forces are responding to comments made by premier Tony Wakeham, indicating he will talk with them about government opting out of the Federal Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program, and enforcement of the new rules once the amnesty period ends.
During a news conference from Ottawa on January 28, Wakeham was asked about police enforcement of the new gun laws that will take effect at the end of October.
Premier Tony Wakeham at Premiers’ Meeting (via CPAC)
The premier was asked “would police in Newfoundland participate in this program, are they going to be involved in confiscating the firearms?” Wakeham replied “we’re going to have a discussion with our police forces about that.”
Both the RNC and RCMP have provided statements to VOCM News responding to that comment.
The RNC say they look forward to further conversations about the federal Assault Style Firearms Compensation Program.
They state that they are committed to reducing violent crime and removing illegal firearms from communities, and will “continue to work with the Provincial Government and… law enforcement partners to address gun violence in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
They end their statement by saying that “once the federal firearms amnesty period ends, it would be a criminal offence to be in possession of the newly added restricted firearms.”
The RCMP, meanwhile, say “the rule of law relies on the independence of police.”
They state that once the amnesty period ends, those who do not dispose of prohibited firearms could face criminal prosecution, and that “the RCMP will enforce the law where it is the police of jurisdiction.”
