Rafferty votes to abolish long gun registry

News Release
John Rafferty, M.P.

New Democrat Member of Parliament John Rafferty (Thunder Bay – Rainy River) cast a vote to abolish the Long Gun Registry today by supporting Bill C-391 on second reading in the House of Commons. Rafferty was one of several New Democrats that helped assure passage of C-391 which now heads to a parliamentary committee before returning to the House for a final vote later in the session.
“I was happy to cast a vote in support of C-391 on behalf of the people of Thunder Bay – Rainy River, and I am pleased that this bill is moving forward to committee,” Rafferty said. “I will continue to support this bill through the rest of legislative process, and I look forward to casting a final vote to abolish the Long Gun Registry when it comes back to the House.”
Rafferty went public with his support for C-391 after hearing from his constituents on the matter. “Early in the year I sent a survey to every household in our riding and 96 percent of respondents said that the registry was unfair to law abiding firearms owners, that it was ineffective in reducing violent crime, and that it should be abolished. Rafferty said. “I had a crystal clear mandate from my constituents on the issue, and I was happy to fulfill it by supporting C-391.”
Rafferty and his New Democrat colleague Bruce Hyer (Thunder Bay – Superior North) went public with their support for C-391 in May which garnered them praise and support from a variety of local and regional groups including Northwestern Ontario Sportsmen’s Alliance (NOSA) and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH). “We are pleased at the strong commitment made by Mr. Rafferty and Mr. Hyer to support C-391,” said Greg Farrant, Government Relations Manager at OFAH. “Both MP’s should be commended for taking a stand in support of their constituents on this issue.”