While the Liberals continue to hammer on poor Bev Oda (who has it coming), Stephen Harper is blissfully ignoring their consternation, and, actually doing something constructive.
Which is just as well.
He's tabling legislation to clarify the entitlement of Canadians to defend themselves and their property.
Which is pretty ironic, actually, considering my conversation yesterday with an official with the Firearms Program.
For those of you who follow this little blog, you may be aware that while I do not hunt, have never hunted, and have never before considered the need or desire to own a firearm, upon seeing the shameful way in which the Liberals and NDP lied and misrepresented the circumstances relating to incidences at L'ecole Polytechnique and Dawson College to press for support of the Gun Registry - I decided I should obtain my PAL and eventually acquire a handgun for no other reason but that the Liberals and NDP didn't want me to have one.
Err.. I mean, to allow me to partake of the sport of target shooting at a local gun range and perhaps collect handguns.
So.
Anyway, off I go in October and take two courses to train me to obtain my PAL (Possession and Acquisition License) for Restricted and Non-restricted firearms.
I then take the exams, and, having passed both of them, happily send off my application (requiring approval of my spouse, potential approval of any girlfriend I've had in the past while, references, etc., etc..) to obtain my PAL on November 15, 2010.
The website says to expect a 45 day turnaround, so, I'm shopping around for pistols in the meanwhile, thinking that I'm probably looking at starting my new sport sometime early in the new year.
Oddly enough, as we speak, I haven't received it.
So, last week, I call and leave a message with the Chief Firearms Officer, and yesterday, I get a call back from a very pleasant woman who wanted to ask me a few more questions (I already went through numerous questions about two months ago, asking about whether I've ever been violent.. "I played hockey for 30 years.. does that count?")
Anyway.
Apparently, I was red listed.
Why?
Because when they asked me why I wanted my PAL, I told them, "For target shooting.. and maybe secondarily for personal protection."
Well.
That made them upset.
Because you are not allowed, apparently, to have a firearm in your home, even properly stored and secured, for personal protection.
You can have guns for sport. You can "collect" them.. but not for personal protection.
Fortunate for me, personal protection was more of an after-thought than my primary purpose, otherwise, I'd be gunless for ever. I'm pleased to no report that my license has finally been approved and is, apparently, in the mail.
So.
Sometime over the next week or two, I'm going to be shopping. I had considered a 9mm PX4 Beretta - but some other people I've spoken to in my new sport have suggested that I'd be much better off with a 9mm Glock or SIG.
While I'm still pissed and the PMO and how they have handled Bev Oda (how long does it take to fire someone?) I'm pleased that the party I support understands the rights of Canadians not to just sit back and be abused by punks and thugs.
Meanwhile.. any advice would be greatly appreciated regarding which acquisition would be my better choice, and why. Or, if you prefer, just take my little survey above.
1. PX4 Beretta Storm - 9mm
3. Glock 19 - 9mm
5 comments:
You might be allowed to finally purchase a gun but you'd better not ever use it for personal protection or even brandish it to scare thugs away no matter what they might be doing to you, your loved ones or your home. You'd soon find yourself arrested and facing a lengthy jail sentence.
You didn't mention how you overcame the initial problem of self-preservation.
You could also ask for a taxpayer funded bodyguard detail.
A landmine field around the house is also a definite no-no. I believe Canada was the driving force for that.
Playing Celine Dion greatest hits volume one on external speakers may do the trick.
Best of luck Rambo!
LOL...
I'm thinking of digging a moat.
Stylish, AND secure :)
If you want the Glock (and it would be my choice, as I've used 3 in IPSC), you'd either need to get an after-market barrel or get the larger version, the Glock 17, as the 19's barrel is considered too short to count as "restricted". (Another consequence of the LIEberal's ignorant law.)
Thanks for the tips. Especially that one about the "to protect myself" - it never would have occurred to me that this would be a BAD thing.
I've always wanted to learn how to handle a gun. I think it's time to start looking for some classes. Any advice in that regard?
P.S. I'd stay await from the whole moat thing. Mosquitos, you know. :)
Post a Comment