The Alberta government has kept its promise to create an Alberta Firearms Act

The Alberta Firearms Act will improve Alberta's capacity to control, manage, and advocate on behalf of gun owners once it is passed.

The act will strengthen and clarify the Chief Firearms Officer's (CFP) responsibilities under provincial law and mandate that the CFO submit an annual report in order to increase public accountability.

“Once passed, the Alberta Firearms Act will be the most comprehensive provincial firearms framework in the country. By establishing in legislation the role of Alberta Chief Firearms Officer, this legislation will elevate the responsibilities and legal mandate of the office to the fullest extent of the law. Alberta stands unequivocally with hunters, farmers, sport shooters, and Indigenous peoples, all of whom understand the importance of responsible firearm ownership to Alberta’s heritage and culture,” explained Tyler Shandro, Minister of Justice and Attorney General.

A Firearms Compensation Committee will be established to outline Alberta's expectations that owners receive fair compensation for their firearms. The act will also establish requirements for forensic and ballistic testing of all confiscated firearms when deemed necessary. Finally, municipalities and municipal police services meet regulatory requirements before entering into any firearms-related funding agreements with the federal government.

Teri Bryant, Chief Firearms Officer explained “an Alberta Firearms Act will provide stronger support to the law-abiding firearms community whose activities are essential to the economic vibrancy and cultural heritage of our province.”

In Alberta, there are 341,988 people who hold possession/acquisition licences, and the second-highest number of firearms that the federal government has designated as restricted or forbidden are owned by Albertans.

In Alberta, there are more than 650 companies that deal with firearms and 127 shooting ranges that have been approved.

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