THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF CANADIAN FIREARMS...

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THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF CANADIAN FIREARMS OWNERS Petition Hosting Guide Package Contents: 8.5 x 11 PDF Poster Counter Top Fact Sheet Quick Talking Points Summary 10 Identical Petition Pages Background: I have started this initiative as an individual and although I have received strong support from many business and organizations, I have no direct link to any of them. This Parliamentary Petition is supported by Arnold Viersen, MP for Westlock in Alberta. I appreciate your help collecting any signatures you can. I hope this is something the entire community can get behind. Instructions: Please collect signatures however you feel is most suited to your unique situation. Most locations display both the poster and the fact sheet and have a few petition pages on a clipboard to sign. Some individuals have taken this package and gone door to door. No method is right or wrong. Please ensure that signatures are not “printed” but rather signed with a signature. For a signature to count, it must have the address portion filled out as described on the petition page. We will be collecting signatures until the end of May 2017. At your convenience, please mail any completed ORNIGINAL pages NOT FOLDED to: SoundModeratorsCanada PO Box 43036 Deer Valley Calgary AB, T2J 7A7 Keep in mind; the pages do not need to be full. Even a page with just one signature can be sent in. It will get counted and every signature counts Thanks so much for your help and support! Matt Magolan For Questions, VISIT SoundModeratorsCanada.ca Or email me at [email protected]

Transcript of THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF CANADIAN FIREARMS...

THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF CANADIAN FIREARMS OWNERS

Petition Hosting Guide

Package Contents:

8.5 x 11 PDF Poster

Counter Top Fact Sheet

Quick Talking Points Summary

10 Identical Petition Pages

Background:

I have started this initiative as an individual and although I have received strong support from many

business and organizations, I have no direct link to any of them. This Parliamentary Petition is

supported by Arnold Viersen, MP for Westlock in Alberta. I appreciate your help collecting any

signatures you can. I hope this is something the entire community can get behind.

Instructions:

Please collect signatures however you feel is most suited to your unique situation. Most locations

display both the poster and the fact sheet and have a few petition pages on a clipboard to sign.

Some individuals have taken this package and gone door to door. No method is right or wrong.

Please ensure that signatures are not “printed” but rather signed with a signature. For a signature

to count, it must have the address portion filled out as described on the petition page.

We will be collecting signatures until the end of May 2017.

At your convenience, please mail any completed ORNIGINAL pages NOT FOLDED to:

SoundModeratorsCanada

PO Box 43036 Deer Valley

Calgary AB, T2J 7A7

Keep in mind; the pages do not need to be full. Even a page with just one signature can be sent in.

It will get counted and every signature counts

Thanks so much for your help and support!

Matt Magolan

For Questions, VISIT SoundModeratorsCanada.ca

Or email me at [email protected]

THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF CANADIAN FIREARMS OWNERS

The Quick Facts

A Sample of the First World where sound moderators are legal for hunters and sport shooters.

England, United States, New Zealand, Poland, Scotland, Finland, 

France, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, Germany, Ireland and Norway.. To name a few 

What about crime? Over a 10 year period studied, there were only 2 murders in the United States with a 

sound moderator processed through the federal court system. 

There is no real world connection between criminals and sound moderators.  

The Science of Firearm Sound Levels and Hearing Damage ABSOLUTE LIMIT level at which hearing damage is guaranteed   = 140 dB  Un-Moderated Rifle Levels vs Moderated Rifle Levels Average sound level of a full bore hunting ri�e  = 160 dB 

Average real world reduction from plugs or ear muffs  = 15 dB 

Average gun �re sound reaching a protected shooter’s ear = 145 dB 

Moderated Rifle Levels Real world sound level of a moderated hunting ri�e  = 125 - 145 dB 

Average real world reduction from plugs or ear muffs  = 15 dB 

Average gun �re sound reaching a protected shooter’s ear = 110 - 130 dB 

 

This is still LOUD! For comparison, a jackhammer creates about 105 dB for the operator 

What do the Studies Say? Our research failed to �nd a single academic study - based on hearing safety, sound 

level science, game management, crime analysis, or other factual data - that did not 

fully recommend the use of sound moderators. In countries where they are prohibited, 

studies recommended lifting the prohibition. In countries where they are legal, 

their use was further encouraged. ALL STUDIES WE FOUND CONCLUDED THAT THE 

BENEFITS OF USE FAR OUTWEIGH ANY COSTS, DISADVANTAGES, OR PERCEIVED DANGERS. 

 

LEARN MORE, VISIT SoundModeratorsCanada.ca

CARING FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF CANADIAN FIREARMS OWNERS

PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

Talking Points Summary

Overview:

Sound Moderators for firearms are prohibited devices in Canada. This is, above all, a health and safety risk to Canadian sport shooters, hunters, and those who are employed around firearms. This prohibition needs to change.

The section of criminal code that needs be repealed to remove the prohibition is only one line.

PART III Section 84(1) prohibited device means (a) any component or part of a weapon, or any accessory for use with a weapon, that is prescribed to be a prohibited device, (b) a handgun barrel that is equal to or less than 105 mm in length, but does not include any such handgun barrel that is prescribed, where the handgun barrel is for use in international sporting competitions governed by the rules of the International Shooting Union, (c) a device or contrivance designed or intended to muffle or stop the sound or report of a firearm, (d) a cartridge magazine that is prescribed to be a prohibited device, or (e) a replica firearm; (dispositif prohibé)

Sound Levels:

Un-moderated sound levels from firearms have been proven to be highly damaging to hearing regardless of the amount of traditional hearing protection used. The average full bore rifle creates a sound wave between 165 and 170 dB. Most hearing protection offered on the market reduces this sound by 15 to 25 dB. This means the sound reaching the ear during each gunshot can easily be between 140 and 155 dB while wearing hearing protection. Many hunters regularly hunt, for safety reasons, with no hearing protection at all. The universally recognized threshold at which hearing damage is guaranteed is 140 dB. The ability of a sound moderator to reduce the report of a firearm varies widely but a 35 dB reduction on a hunting firearm is a good average for commercially available sound moderators. This reduction would make firearms much safer, by reducing them to a safe sound level comparable to a large jackhammer. Hunters and sport shooters in Canada are losing their hearing and they need access to all of the safety equipment available to prevent this.

Charter Argument:

Section 7 of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms recognises an individual’s right to personal security. Courts have established that “security” includes health and safety. As affirmed in Bedford v. Canada at the Supreme Court of Canada, one cannot be prevented from taking reasonable steps to improve personal safety in a hazardous situation. If the activity is legal, the government should not, and cannot deny access to means that can reduce the risk of that activity. This argument is a tricky one. Bedford v. Canada was the recent prostitution case that the court ruled on which overturned many anti-prostitution laws in Canada. Prostitution has always remained legal in Canada. In the ruling the judge explains that a government can regulate a nuisance to the

community and to the country, but not to the point where they can restrict an individual from having access to things necessary to reduce the risk of an otherwise legal but high risk activity.

Many Countries have legal sound moderators:

It’s important to note that the majority of G7 nations and many others have recognized the benefits of these devices. These countries include the United States, France, Germany, Great Britain, Denmark, Finland, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Italy, Poland and others. Some have more restrictions than others, but in all of these countries, at the very least, a hunter has access to a sound moderator.

Countering the crime argument:

Silencers are rarely used in crimes, according to a 10-year study published in 2007 by the Western Criminology Review in the United States. Researchers estimated silencers were involved in 30 to 40 of the 75,000 federal criminal cases filed each year. The study found only two federal cases over a 10 year period involving a silencer used in murders. This study is full of great information. New Zealand is also a great example of this, as sound moderators are completely unregulated and crime involving sound moderators is a non-concern. The Australian study uses New Zealand as a crime free example.

Tax Dollars:

Hearing damage is a major concern in Canada. Tax payers spend millions annually on treating hearing loss in Canadians. The use of personal protective equipment at work and play is common place in almost all high risk activities in Canada yet sound moderators continue to be the only universally recognised health and safety device that has a criminal prohibition with stiff penalties.

Shooting Range closures:

Numerous shooting ranges in Canada have been closed or reduced to very limited hours due to noise complaints in recent years. BC currently has a range that’s been fighting a legal battle based on noise complaints for years. Most recently their board of directors have begun to be individually named in separate law suits. Sound moderators have the potential to reduce noise pollution and noise complaints in communities with shooting ranges, in rural and farm communities, and in areas used for recreational activities where hunting and target shooting is legal. They can be a simple solution to a growing problem as our cities continue to grow outward.

Livestock, hunting pets, game animals argument:

Farmers need firearms as tools for their work. They are regularly used in the vicinity of livestock managing pest populations. Gunshots are extremely stressful to livestock and pets nearby. Sound moderators facilitate significantly increased humane husbandry of livestock, and pets. The same can be said for hunters who regularly use dogs while hunting. There is no hearing protection available for pets and working dogs, only sound moderators can protect them from the hearing damage hunting causes.

Police double standard argument:

Our Law Enforcement agencies have access to sound moderators for health and safety reasons. They have been acquired by police departments across Canada in order to reduce the number of officers needing to take time off work due to hearing damage from training with firearms. These are not devices that are required to make policing more effective; they are devices required to keep officers from being injured at work. It’s important to note that access to information requests to confirm this with the RCMP have been pending since September 2016. Until those come back, there is no document proof to these claims, only anecdotal evidence that would suggest this is true.

CARING FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF CANADIAN FIREARMS OWNERS

PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

We, the undersigned Citizens and Residents of Canada draw the attention of The Government of Canada to the following:

That highly damaging noise levels repeatedly reach the ears of firearm users despite the use of traditional hearing protection.

That section 7 of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms recognises an individual’s right to personal health and safety.

That sound moderators are the only universally recognised health and safety device that has a criminal prohibition in Canada.

That, as affirmed in Bedford v. Canada at the Supreme Court of Canada, one cannot be prevented from taking reasonable steps to improve personal safety in a hazardous situation.

That the majority of G7 nations and many others have recognised the health and safety benefits involved, and allow the legal use of sound moderators by hunters and sport shooters.

That sound moderators reduce noise pollution and noise complaints in communities with shooting ranges, in rural and farm communities, and in areas used for recreational activities where hunting and target shooting is legal.

That sound moderators facilitate significantly increased humane husbandry of game animals, livestock, and pets as hunting companions.

That hearing damage is a significant quality of life and public health issue costing taxpayers millions annually.

THEREFORE, your petitioners call upon the Government of Canada to:

Take a stand and empower Canadian's to be responsible for their own health and safety by removing the prohibition of sound moderators from the Criminal Code of Canada.

Allow the legal acquisition, possession, and use of sound moderators on firearms by all licensed firearms users in Canada.

Call upon the provinces and territories to amend provincial and territorial prohibitions and allow the use of sound moderators while engaged in all legal hunting and sport shooting activities.

SIGNATURES ADDRESSES

Sign your own name. DO NOT PRINT. Full home address OR city and province OR province and Postal Code

CARING FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF CANADIAN FIREARMS OWNERS

PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

We, the undersigned Citizens and Residents of Canada draw the attention of The Government of Canada to the following:

That highly damaging noise levels repeatedly reach the ears of firearm users despite the use of traditional hearing protection.

That section 7 of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms recognises an individual’s right to personal health and safety.

That sound moderators are the only universally recognised health and safety device that has a criminal prohibition in Canada.

That, as affirmed in Bedford v. Canada at the Supreme Court of Canada, one cannot be prevented from taking reasonable steps to improve personal safety in a hazardous situation.

That the majority of G7 nations and many others have recognised the health and safety benefits involved, and allow the legal use of sound moderators by hunters and sport shooters.

That sound moderators reduce noise pollution and noise complaints in communities with shooting ranges, in rural and farm communities, and in areas used for recreational activities where hunting and target shooting is legal.

That sound moderators facilitate significantly increased humane husbandry of game animals, livestock, and pets as hunting companions.

That hearing damage is a significant quality of life and public health issue costing taxpayers millions annually.

THEREFORE, your petitioners call upon the Government of Canada to:

Take a stand and empower Canadian's to be responsible for their own health and safety by removing the prohibition of sound moderators from the Criminal Code of Canada.

Allow the legal acquisition, possession, and use of sound moderators on firearms by all licensed firearms users in Canada.

Call upon the provinces and territories to amend provincial and territorial prohibitions and allow the use of sound moderators while engaged in all legal hunting and sport shooting activities.

SIGNATURES ADDRESSES

Sign your own name. DO NOT PRINT. Full home address OR city and province OR province and Postal Code

CARING FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF CANADIAN FIREARMS OWNERS

PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

We, the undersigned Citizens and Residents of Canada draw the attention of The Government of Canada to the following:

That highly damaging noise levels repeatedly reach the ears of firearm users despite the use of traditional hearing protection.

That section 7 of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms recognises an individual’s right to personal health and safety.

That sound moderators are the only universally recognised health and safety device that has a criminal prohibition in Canada.

That, as affirmed in Bedford v. Canada at the Supreme Court of Canada, one cannot be prevented from taking reasonable steps to improve personal safety in a hazardous situation.

That the majority of G7 nations and many others have recognised the health and safety benefits involved, and allow the legal use of sound moderators by hunters and sport shooters.

That sound moderators reduce noise pollution and noise complaints in communities with shooting ranges, in rural and farm communities, and in areas used for recreational activities where hunting and target shooting is legal.

That sound moderators facilitate significantly increased humane husbandry of game animals, livestock, and pets as hunting companions.

That hearing damage is a significant quality of life and public health issue costing taxpayers millions annually.

THEREFORE, your petitioners call upon the Government of Canada to:

Take a stand and empower Canadian's to be responsible for their own health and safety by removing the prohibition of sound moderators from the Criminal Code of Canada.

Allow the legal acquisition, possession, and use of sound moderators on firearms by all licensed firearms users in Canada.

Call upon the provinces and territories to amend provincial and territorial prohibitions and allow the use of sound moderators while engaged in all legal hunting and sport shooting activities.

SIGNATURES ADDRESSES

Sign your own name. DO NOT PRINT. Full home address OR city and province OR province and Postal Code

CARING FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF CANADIAN FIREARMS OWNERS

PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

We, the undersigned Citizens and Residents of Canada draw the attention of The Government of Canada to the following:

That highly damaging noise levels repeatedly reach the ears of firearm users despite the use of traditional hearing protection.

That section 7 of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms recognises an individual’s right to personal health and safety.

That sound moderators are the only universally recognised health and safety device that has a criminal prohibition in Canada.

That, as affirmed in Bedford v. Canada at the Supreme Court of Canada, one cannot be prevented from taking reasonable steps to improve personal safety in a hazardous situation.

That the majority of G7 nations and many others have recognised the health and safety benefits involved, and allow the legal use of sound moderators by hunters and sport shooters.

That sound moderators reduce noise pollution and noise complaints in communities with shooting ranges, in rural and farm communities, and in areas used for recreational activities where hunting and target shooting is legal.

That sound moderators facilitate significantly increased humane husbandry of game animals, livestock, and pets as hunting companions.

That hearing damage is a significant quality of life and public health issue costing taxpayers millions annually.

THEREFORE, your petitioners call upon the Government of Canada to:

Take a stand and empower Canadian's to be responsible for their own health and safety by removing the prohibition of sound moderators from the Criminal Code of Canada.

Allow the legal acquisition, possession, and use of sound moderators on firearms by all licensed firearms users in Canada.

Call upon the provinces and territories to amend provincial and territorial prohibitions and allow the use of sound moderators while engaged in all legal hunting and sport shooting activities.

SIGNATURES ADDRESSES

Sign your own name. DO NOT PRINT. Full home address OR city and province OR province and Postal Code

CARING FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF CANADIAN FIREARMS OWNERS

PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

We, the undersigned Citizens and Residents of Canada draw the attention of The Government of Canada to the following:

That highly damaging noise levels repeatedly reach the ears of firearm users despite the use of traditional hearing protection.

That section 7 of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms recognises an individual’s right to personal health and safety.

That sound moderators are the only universally recognised health and safety device that has a criminal prohibition in Canada.

That, as affirmed in Bedford v. Canada at the Supreme Court of Canada, one cannot be prevented from taking reasonable steps to improve personal safety in a hazardous situation.

That the majority of G7 nations and many others have recognised the health and safety benefits involved, and allow the legal use of sound moderators by hunters and sport shooters.

That sound moderators reduce noise pollution and noise complaints in communities with shooting ranges, in rural and farm communities, and in areas used for recreational activities where hunting and target shooting is legal.

That sound moderators facilitate significantly increased humane husbandry of game animals, livestock, and pets as hunting companions.

That hearing damage is a significant quality of life and public health issue costing taxpayers millions annually.

THEREFORE, your petitioners call upon the Government of Canada to:

Take a stand and empower Canadian's to be responsible for their own health and safety by removing the prohibition of sound moderators from the Criminal Code of Canada.

Allow the legal acquisition, possession, and use of sound moderators on firearms by all licensed firearms users in Canada.

Call upon the provinces and territories to amend provincial and territorial prohibitions and allow the use of sound moderators while engaged in all legal hunting and sport shooting activities.

SIGNATURES ADDRESSES

Sign your own name. DO NOT PRINT. Full home address OR city and province OR province and Postal Code

CARING FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF CANADIAN FIREARMS OWNERS

PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

We, the undersigned Citizens and Residents of Canada draw the attention of The Government of Canada to the following:

That highly damaging noise levels repeatedly reach the ears of firearm users despite the use of traditional hearing protection.

That section 7 of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms recognises an individual’s right to personal health and safety.

That sound moderators are the only universally recognised health and safety device that has a criminal prohibition in Canada.

That, as affirmed in Bedford v. Canada at the Supreme Court of Canada, one cannot be prevented from taking reasonable steps to improve personal safety in a hazardous situation.

That the majority of G7 nations and many others have recognised the health and safety benefits involved, and allow the legal use of sound moderators by hunters and sport shooters.

That sound moderators reduce noise pollution and noise complaints in communities with shooting ranges, in rural and farm communities, and in areas used for recreational activities where hunting and target shooting is legal.

That sound moderators facilitate significantly increased humane husbandry of game animals, livestock, and pets as hunting companions.

That hearing damage is a significant quality of life and public health issue costing taxpayers millions annually.

THEREFORE, your petitioners call upon the Government of Canada to:

Take a stand and empower Canadian's to be responsible for their own health and safety by removing the prohibition of sound moderators from the Criminal Code of Canada.

Allow the legal acquisition, possession, and use of sound moderators on firearms by all licensed firearms users in Canada.

Call upon the provinces and territories to amend provincial and territorial prohibitions and allow the use of sound moderators while engaged in all legal hunting and sport shooting activities.

SIGNATURES ADDRESSES

Sign your own name. DO NOT PRINT. Full home address OR city and province OR province and Postal Code

CARING FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF CANADIAN FIREARMS OWNERS

PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

We, the undersigned Citizens and Residents of Canada draw the attention of The Government of Canada to the following:

That highly damaging noise levels repeatedly reach the ears of firearm users despite the use of traditional hearing protection.

That section 7 of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms recognises an individual’s right to personal health and safety.

That sound moderators are the only universally recognised health and safety device that has a criminal prohibition in Canada.

That, as affirmed in Bedford v. Canada at the Supreme Court of Canada, one cannot be prevented from taking reasonable steps to improve personal safety in a hazardous situation.

That the majority of G7 nations and many others have recognised the health and safety benefits involved, and allow the legal use of sound moderators by hunters and sport shooters.

That sound moderators reduce noise pollution and noise complaints in communities with shooting ranges, in rural and farm communities, and in areas used for recreational activities where hunting and target shooting is legal.

That sound moderators facilitate significantly increased humane husbandry of game animals, livestock, and pets as hunting companions.

That hearing damage is a significant quality of life and public health issue costing taxpayers millions annually.

THEREFORE, your petitioners call upon the Government of Canada to:

Take a stand and empower Canadian's to be responsible for their own health and safety by removing the prohibition of sound moderators from the Criminal Code of Canada.

Allow the legal acquisition, possession, and use of sound moderators on firearms by all licensed firearms users in Canada.

Call upon the provinces and territories to amend provincial and territorial prohibitions and allow the use of sound moderators while engaged in all legal hunting and sport shooting activities.

SIGNATURES ADDRESSES

Sign your own name. DO NOT PRINT. Full home address OR city and province OR province and Postal Code

CARING FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF CANADIAN FIREARMS OWNERS

PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

We, the undersigned Citizens and Residents of Canada draw the attention of The Government of Canada to the following:

That highly damaging noise levels repeatedly reach the ears of firearm users despite the use of traditional hearing protection.

That section 7 of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms recognises an individual’s right to personal health and safety.

That sound moderators are the only universally recognised health and safety device that has a criminal prohibition in Canada.

That, as affirmed in Bedford v. Canada at the Supreme Court of Canada, one cannot be prevented from taking reasonable steps to improve personal safety in a hazardous situation.

That the majority of G7 nations and many others have recognised the health and safety benefits involved, and allow the legal use of sound moderators by hunters and sport shooters.

That sound moderators reduce noise pollution and noise complaints in communities with shooting ranges, in rural and farm communities, and in areas used for recreational activities where hunting and target shooting is legal.

That sound moderators facilitate significantly increased humane husbandry of game animals, livestock, and pets as hunting companions.

That hearing damage is a significant quality of life and public health issue costing taxpayers millions annually.

THEREFORE, your petitioners call upon the Government of Canada to:

Take a stand and empower Canadian's to be responsible for their own health and safety by removing the prohibition of sound moderators from the Criminal Code of Canada.

Allow the legal acquisition, possession, and use of sound moderators on firearms by all licensed firearms users in Canada.

Call upon the provinces and territories to amend provincial and territorial prohibitions and allow the use of sound moderators while engaged in all legal hunting and sport shooting activities.

SIGNATURES ADDRESSES

Sign your own name. DO NOT PRINT. Full home address OR city and province OR province and Postal Code

CARING FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF CANADIAN FIREARMS OWNERS

PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

We, the undersigned Citizens and Residents of Canada draw the attention of The Government of Canada to the following:

That highly damaging noise levels repeatedly reach the ears of firearm users despite the use of traditional hearing protection.

That section 7 of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms recognises an individual’s right to personal health and safety.

That sound moderators are the only universally recognised health and safety device that has a criminal prohibition in Canada.

That, as affirmed in Bedford v. Canada at the Supreme Court of Canada, one cannot be prevented from taking reasonable steps to improve personal safety in a hazardous situation.

That the majority of G7 nations and many others have recognised the health and safety benefits involved, and allow the legal use of sound moderators by hunters and sport shooters.

That sound moderators reduce noise pollution and noise complaints in communities with shooting ranges, in rural and farm communities, and in areas used for recreational activities where hunting and target shooting is legal.

That sound moderators facilitate significantly increased humane husbandry of game animals, livestock, and pets as hunting companions.

That hearing damage is a significant quality of life and public health issue costing taxpayers millions annually.

THEREFORE, your petitioners call upon the Government of Canada to:

Take a stand and empower Canadian's to be responsible for their own health and safety by removing the prohibition of sound moderators from the Criminal Code of Canada.

Allow the legal acquisition, possession, and use of sound moderators on firearms by all licensed firearms users in Canada.

Call upon the provinces and territories to amend provincial and territorial prohibitions and allow the use of sound moderators while engaged in all legal hunting and sport shooting activities.

SIGNATURES ADDRESSES

Sign your own name. DO NOT PRINT. Full home address OR city and province OR province and Postal Code

CARING FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF CANADIAN FIREARMS OWNERS

PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

We, the undersigned Citizens and Residents of Canada draw the attention of The Government of Canada to the following:

That highly damaging noise levels repeatedly reach the ears of firearm users despite the use of traditional hearing protection.

That section 7 of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms recognises an individual’s right to personal health and safety.

That sound moderators are the only universally recognised health and safety device that has a criminal prohibition in Canada.

That, as affirmed in Bedford v. Canada at the Supreme Court of Canada, one cannot be prevented from taking reasonable steps to improve personal safety in a hazardous situation.

That the majority of G7 nations and many others have recognised the health and safety benefits involved, and allow the legal use of sound moderators by hunters and sport shooters.

That sound moderators reduce noise pollution and noise complaints in communities with shooting ranges, in rural and farm communities, and in areas used for recreational activities where hunting and target shooting is legal.

That sound moderators facilitate significantly increased humane husbandry of game animals, livestock, and pets as hunting companions.

That hearing damage is a significant quality of life and public health issue costing taxpayers millions annually.

THEREFORE, your petitioners call upon the Government of Canada to:

Take a stand and empower Canadian's to be responsible for their own health and safety by removing the prohibition of sound moderators from the Criminal Code of Canada.

Allow the legal acquisition, possession, and use of sound moderators on firearms by all licensed firearms users in Canada.

Call upon the provinces and territories to amend provincial and territorial prohibitions and allow the use of sound moderators while engaged in all legal hunting and sport shooting activities.

SIGNATURES ADDRESSES

Sign your own name. DO NOT PRINT. Full home address OR city and province OR province and Postal Code