Former B.C. Official Calls for Gun Licence Ban on International Students
Former British Columbia solicitor general Kash Heed has urged the Canadian government to revoke firearm licence eligibility for international students and other temporary residents. Heed, a longtime police officer and current Richmond city councillor, made the statement on Tuesday, calling the current policy "absolutely ridiculous."
Extortion Cases Prompt Policy Review
Several international students have been identified as suspects in violent extortion incidents across British Columbia, Ontario, and Alberta over the past two years. While most firearms used in these crimes are believed to be illegally obtained, Heed emphasized the need to eliminate all potential sources of guns.
"This is a loophole that needs to be filled immediately," Heed stated. "These are the areas we have to start to look at to make sure there is a comprehensive approach to dealing with the extortion problem we have."
Current Firearms Application Process
The RCMP-run firearms program currently allows applications from outside Canada, requiring a "letter of good conduct" as part of the online submission. Applicants must specify which province or territory they will use firearms in most frequently while in Canada.
Additional requirements include reference letters for those who have lived outside Canada for more than six months in the past five years or have resided in Canada for less than five years. The RCMP's national media office could not provide data on international student applications by Postmedia News's deadline.
Political Support for Restrictions
Former Mountie Elenore Sturko, Independent MLA for Surrey-Cloverdale, questioned why international students would need firearms licences while studying in Canada. "If you're not a permanent resident or Canadian or specifically visiting for the purpose of a guided hunting trip, then perhaps we need to be more restrictive about who is allowed to possess and acquire firearms," she said.
Sturko agreed with Heed that most extortion-related firearms likely come from illicit sources but supported examining all potential avenues for gun access.
Expert Analysis of Firearms Policy
Firearms expert Frank Grosspietsch, who spent 15 years with the RCMP's national weapons enforcement support team, endorsed policy changes. He noted that U.S. laws prevent Canadian citizens living there from purchasing ammunition or firearms, suggesting American regulations are stricter in certain aspects.
"A Canadian citizen, even if they are living in the U.S., cannot purchase ammunition or a firearm. So in a certain aspect, U.S. laws are stronger than Canadian laws," Grosspietsch explained.
The proposal comes amid ongoing concerns about public safety and firearm regulation in Canada, particularly regarding temporary residents' access to legal weapons.
