Police chiefs endorse long-gun registry

Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police unanimously endorses PR campaign to promote controversial program

According to Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair, there wasn’t a single dissenting vote yesterday when the country’s top policemen voted for a national firearms strategy that includes promoting the long-gun registry. The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police vote will sting the Conservatives, who are determined to eliminate the registry that compels owners of long-barreled firearms to register their weapons in a national database. The Tories believe the program is an ineffective use of taxpayer money, but there is widespread police support for it and many believe it protects the safety of officers. The pro-registry head of the RCMP’s firearms program Marty Cheliak was recently removed from his post, prompting calls of political interference from opposition parties.