Hoeppner not swayed by long-gun report

An RCMP report that evaluates the long-gun registry as cost-effective, efficient and an important tool for public safety hasn't changed the mind of the Conservative MP behind a bill to scrap the registry.

In an interview Tuesday on CBC TV's Power and Politics with Evan Solomon, Candice Hoeppner says the report told her nothing new.

"My position remains steadfast as does our party's position," she said. "We believe the long-gun registry needs to end. As legislators, that's our job, to look at policy, to decide what's in the best interests of Canadians and make those decisions. So, nothing has changed."

The RCMP report says the registry is important because long guns are the most common firearm used in suicides and domestic violence. But Hoeppner disagrees that the registry helps reduce either, arguing that what's needed is stronger licensing protocols to screen out people who should not be allowed to own a firearm.

"Once they have a licence to own that firearm, registering the firearm doesn't stop them from hurting themselves or hurting others," Hoeppner argues.

The evaluation report points out that registration of guns means police can know not just who may own a firearm but who does own one, how many they own and which firearms in particular.

NDP MP Joe Comartin says that's why licensing without firearm registration isn't enough.

"The report was very clear that the use of the registry to go in and revoke licences and take the guns away from people who are having mental health problems has been very successful in reducing the rate of suicide by long guns," Comartin told Power and Politics. "It's already working in that regard."

In the same panel discussion, Liberal MP Mark Holland said he isn't surprised Hoeppner isn't swayed.

"The Conservatives have wanted to scrap this for ideology; facts will not move them," said Holland. "They don't care about facts ... you could present the penultimate report, and they would ignore it."

MPs are set to vote on whether Hoeppner's private member's bill should proceed to a third reading on Sept. 22.