Ottawa withdraws controversial amendments to firearms law

The Liberal government has withdrawn a series of controversial amendments to pending firearms legislation, C-21 — changes that some firearms owners say would have unfairly targeted hunters and farmers.

Liberal MP Taleeb Noormohamed said Friday the government would scrap a clause that would have effectively banned any rifle or shotgun that could potentially accept a magazine with more than five rounds, whether or not it actually has such a magazine.

The government is also withdrawing a list of guns that would have been classified as "prohibited" firearms.

The government had intended to ban long guns that generate more than 10,000 joules of energy, or guns with a muzzle wider than 20 millimetres — two rules that would have rendered many firearms illegal.

This amendment would have had the effect of banning a number of long guns in wide use by Canadian hunters.

Bill C-21, as originally drafted, was designed to ban handguns — the amendments dramatically expanded the scope.

Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino had defended the amendments, saying the government is intent on tamping down on gun violence in Canada.

Critics said a ban on popular hunting rifles would do little to make Canadians safer when many crime guns are handguns illegally smuggled over the U.S. border.

Mendicino was due to speak at an electric vehicle announcement in Toronto but cancelled his appearance just before Noormohamed tabled his motion to dump amendments.