Thread by @ThatLibertyGuy

THREAD: Bill C-71 continues in the Senate

senparlvu.parl.gc.ca/XRender/en/Pow…

#StopC71 #StopBillC71 #KillBillC71 #BillC71Book

Senator David Tkachuk currently speaking in opposition to Bill C-71.

Senator David Tkachuk: Current legislation already allows for lifetime background checks where the RCMP has reason to believe issues may exist that affect the person's application for a firearm license.

Senator David Tkachuk: Resources are not available to perform lifetime background checks so they will be, at best, haphazard and random. Senator moves a motion to NOT read C-71 a third time and be amended.

Senator Andre Pratte: cites a Canadian Press poll about public support for lifetime background checks. 81% support lifetime background checks.

Senator Andre Pratte: suicide attempt more than 5 years prior to firearm license application "could be" an indicator of future suicidal behaviour.

Senator Andre Pratte: C-71's lifetime background check is to "clarify confusion" over how long the Chief Firearms Officer could investigate a person's background. Claims police and judges were confused over the length of time.

Senator Andre Pratte: Most people who want a firearm license do so because they have a legitimate reason for wanting to own guns. This lifetime background check will not affect the vast majority of these cases.

Senator David Tkachuk: re: Pratte's quoted poll. Did the people who were polled know what the current law says, and did they have a firearms license?

Senator Andre Pratte: Do most people know the current legislation about firearms? Probably not. But a poll is a poll, and Canadians overwhelmingly support lifetime background checks.

Senator Andre Pratte: Can we prevent people from getting rope and hanging themselves? No, that's not possible. But we can stop them from getting guns.

Senator Carolyn Stewart Olsen: I don't know much about gun control, but we tinker around the outside trying to make it better. I don't think that helps. We need to focus more on root causes. If someone wants to commit suicide, they will do it. We need to stop blaming guns.

Senator Carolyn Stewart Olsen: It's too easy to get illegal guns.

Senator @DonPlett : I've been called a lot of things, but today, because I support law-abiding hunters and sport shooters I was called a "gun senator."

The Speaker is pissed that he dares reference the comments made about him by Senator McPhedran.

Senator @DonPlett: Last weekend I spoke in Calgary about Bill C-71. One person shared how much he enjoyed the shooting sports with his wife and son. This gentleman is an amazing, upstanding citizen yet he would not qualify for a license if lifetime background checks applied today

Senator @DonPlett: Quebec mosque shooter, a licensed firearm owner, lied on his firearm license application form, yet was issued a firearm license. Three times over 2 years he sought treatment for mental health issues, on 2 medications, yet none of this was verified by the RCMP.

Senator @DonPlett: This is not new. If the box "No" is checked, no verification or background check is performed. The system is broken and we need to fix it before lengthening the time the RCMP can ignore a person's past.

Senator @DonPlett: delivers stats on how many licenses were issued in 2017 alone, and makes the point the RCMP does not have the resources for this mammoth task, let alone extending background checks to a person's lifetime.

Verbal vote on amendment takes place.

Speaker: In my opinions the motion is defeated. The vote will take place at the start of the next sitting of the Senate.

Full thread of my tweets on today's Senate antics:

threadreaderapp.com/thread/1129149…

#StopC71 #StopBillC71 #KillBillC71 #BillC71Book