By Alex McCuaig

Gun Control

Grits’ campaign promise misses target says local gun range owner

Sep 20, 2019 | 4:32 PM

Dunmore, AB – The owner of a local gun range says the Liberal campaign pledge to tackle gun crime is way off the mark, adding the target should be illegal firearms.

“I don’t think it’s going to do anything for gun crime or gun violence,” said Rocky Rutledge, owner of Gun Hub in Dunmore, about the Grits’ pledge to ban assault rifles. “If they concentrated their efforts towards stopping guns from coming in the country and punishing those who have illegal firearms, would do a lot more.”

In addition to the ban on assault weapons, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau committed on Friday to allow municipalities the option to restrict handgun ownership within their jurisdictions.

Rutledge says he has seen an increase in sales of assault rifles over the last six months following indications from the government tougher rules were coming.

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“We’ve sold hundreds of handguns and AR-15s and semi-auto shotguns because of the proposed ban and it’s really driving sales through the roof,” he said.

One issue which Rutledge believes strongly that should be addressed is the issue of straw buyers who buy guns legitimately and then sell them to those not licenced to posses them.

“There is very little repercussions for doing that. Very little punishment and no prison time,” said Rutledge. “If there were stricter laws on that and they were harsher against people doing those things, it would really hinder the process of getting guns into the hands of criminals.”