Teri Bryant is the first-ever appointee to the newly created Chief Firearms Office for Alberta.
Bryant, a member of the Alberta Firearms Advisory Committee who has served as the secretary of the Alberta Arms and Cartridge Collectors Association for the past 16 years and is the president of the Military Collectors Club of Canada, will take on the role.
According to a release from the provincial government, Bryant will advocate for responsible federal firearms legislation to deter criminals, respect property rights and make sure Albertans continue to live in safe and secure communities.
“I know she will be promoting a system of firearms administration in this province that is rooted in the values and priorities of Albertans, and will fight hard for the legitimate rights of Alberta’s lawful gun owners,” said Kaycee Madu, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General.
Bryant is the first appointee to the newly created Chief Firearms Office for Alberta. The office will also determine licensing eligibility, compliance with legislation, overseeing the administration of firearms safety courses and other duties that previously fell to the federal government.
In the release, the province said the office was created in response to the Fair Deal report and appointed Bryant to the position to stand up to the rights of law-abiding firearms owners.
“As a lifelong firearms collector and enthusiast, I could not be more excited for this opportunity to represent Albertans and stand up for our province’s way of life and lawful firearms culture,” she said.
“I cannot wait to meet with other passionate Albertans with Minister Madu on our tour to find out how we can get a fair deal for Albertans.”
Later this year, Minister Madu and Bryant will go on a tour of Alberta shooting ranges to connect directly with Albertans who own and use firearms. As of Dec. 31, 2019, there were 326,519 licensed firearms owners in Alberta.
Under the federal Firearms Act, provinces may opt-in and administer the Canadian Firearms Program through a provincial chief firearms officer.