The Progressive Conservatives have no intention of setting up an Alberta long gun registry if re-elected, says the party’s candidate in Red Deer South.
Launched in 2001, the national registry’s aim for having Canadians register their long guns was so that every gun was traceable and thus help to reduce crime. The program has been extremely costly and is expected to cost about $66.4 million for the 2010-2011 fiscal year.
The federal bill to scrap the long-gun registry received royal assent on April 5.
Progressive Conservative candidate and Red Deer South incumbent Cal Dallas said the government would not establish such a registry again.
He said Premier Alison Redford went on record when she was justice minister to say she favoured repealing the registry.
Alberta Party candidate Serge Gingras said he doesn’t recall the gun registry ever coming up in conversation within the party “probably because it’s federal jurisdiction.”
Alberta New Democratic Party leader Brian Mason, who made a campaign stop in Red Deer on Monday, said it’s a federal matter so he wouldn’t comment on the issue.