Critics say the B.C. government should have acted earlier to implement legislation targeting illegal firearms, which has been on the books for five years. The Firearm Violence Prevention Act was passed in March 2021 based on recommendations from a 2017 report by the illegal firearms task force to tackle gang and gun violence, but the act was not put into force until now.
On Monday, B.C. Public Safety Minister Nina Krieger announced that the law will finally be implemented later this year. “Gun-related violence has a profound effect on communities, and it continues to be a serious threat to public safety in British Columbia,” Krieger said. “By closing the gaps in gun laws, we are providing police with new ways to go after gangs and criminals, and keep people and businesses in all our communities safe.”
Key Provisions of the Act
The act targets anyone discharging firearms from vehicles as well as those illegally transporting guns in cars. It allows for fines, vehicle seizures, and in some instances, jail terms. The law also bans sales of low-velocity and imitation firearms — including BB, pellet and airsoft guns — to anyone under 18. Another section permits an authorized professional to notify police if they believe a person intends to use a firearm to cause harm.
Expert and Critic Reactions
Firearms expert Frank Grosspietsch, who spent 15 years with the RCMP’s national weapons enforcement support team and served on the 2017 task force, expressed puzzlement over the delay. “This is old news,” he said. He noted that many issues addressed in the provincial legislation are already covered by the Criminal Code, but charges are not always laid by Crown prosecutors in B.C. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been contacted by police officers who’ve done thorough investigations. They call me, saying that the Crown will not go forward with the charges,” Grosspietsch added.
Former Mountie Elenore Sturko, now the Independent MLA for Surrey-Cloverdale, questioned the timing. “If these were going to be such effective tools, I don’t understand why it would have taken five years to actually enact these regulations.” She highlighted ongoing gang activity and an extortion crisis in the Lower Mainland, emphasizing the need for prompt action.
