Dear Editor: This is in response to an article that appeared in the July 24, 2000 issue of the North Shore News by Anna Marie D°Angelo concerning the firearms program. I would like to correct the inaccuracies in the article. All firearm owners and users require either a possession- only licence or a possession and acquisition licence by the end of this year, unless they have a valid Firearms Acquisition ~ Certificate (FAC). The Canadian Firearms Safety Course is a requirement for 2 possession and acquisition licence. It is not required to obtain a pos- session-only licence. Both types of licences allow an individual to own and use firearms for lawful purposes, and to acquire ammunition. Secondly, firearm owners only have to pay a total of $14 for all firearms they regis- ter at the same time if they apply before Aug. 31, 2000, or S18 if they apply between Sept. 1, 2000 and Dee. 31, 2002. There is no limit to the . number. of firearms that may be registered at one time for a flat fee. “The $25 fee referred to in the article is the transfer-pro- cessing fee for newly acquired MAIL BOX--=-—=—-— Firearms program works firearms. That fee has been waived for the — period between June 10 and Dee. 31, 2000. In the article, the firearm owner says a piece of paper is not going to step anyone from using a firearm inappro- priately. In fact, even though registration will not be fully in effect until Jan. 1, 2003, it is already helping to keep firearms out of criminal hands. Earlier this vear, the registration system was instrumental in identifving, what a U.S. government offi- cial has called one of the largest and most sophisticated international gun-smuggling rings in North America. This discovery led to the seizure of more than 22,000 firearms, firearm parts and prohibited devices. Registration helps police to identify patterns of illegal firearm movement. It also alerts police to the fact that a firearm found in someone’s possession may have been stolen, smuggied, or obzained through other illegal! means. Registration will also make it much easier for police to return lost or stolen firearms to their right- ful owners. On average, police in Canada recover over 1,500 lost or stolen firearms cach vear. The new program — is already helping keep firearms from those who should not have them. Since implemen- tation of the law began on Dee. 1, 1998, more chan 1900 valid firearms licences have been revoked or applica- tions for new ficences refused by public safery officials. The number of licence revocations has been more than 18 times the total number of Firearms Acquisition Certificates revoked in the last five years. David Austin Deputy Director of Communications Canadian Firearms Centre Dog treatment atrocious Dear Editor: Doormat dogs. What has happened to man’s best friend? T ealled the West Vancouver SPCA, because I was concerned about a large dog living in a car, in our underground parking. Debbie, from the SPCA, told me it was happening, all over West Van, as well as keeping dogs in small crates, while the owner was at work. {t is allowed as long as the dog has water, food. and the owner takes them for a bathroom break. Is this how we treat our best friend, our companion, who gives us unconditional love, protects us from harm, brings us our slippers? How about the dog left in the hot car to suffocate, let out in the cold to freeze? People, what are you thinking? The world hasn’r gone to the dogs, it's gone to the people. Marie Scarlett West Vancouver PAW AULA DEIONETH EIN Ely bitp://www.nsnews.com : I hy Sunday, August 13, 2000 - North Shore News ~ 7 draperies blinds Itd. 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