News release

N.S. Transfers Firearms Registration Prosecutions

Justice

The province says it will be up to the federal government to prosecute Nova Scotians who do not register their rifles or shotguns.

Justice Minister Jamie Muir will issue a directive to the Public Prosecution Service which means Criminal Code and Firearms Act charges relating to the registration of long guns will be referred to federal prosecutors.

"People who use weapons dangerously, or to commit a crime, will still face the full extent of the law," said Mr. Muir. "But it makes no sense to clog up the courts with procedural matters around long gun registrations. The whole process has been flawed from the start, and law-abiding Nova Scotians who use their guns for hunting or range practice shouldn't have to pay the price."

The federal Firearms Act and the Criminal Code state that anyone possessing a firearm as defined in section 2 of the Code, must hold a valid firearms registration certificate.

Mr. Muir said it is generally not in the public interest to enforce the registration provisions for long guns that are not restricted or prohibited. Exceptions could be made if offenders have a history of firearm-related offences, or if they blatantly disregard police warnings.

"We believe the public is served best when our prosecution service focuses on serious criminal matters," he added.

Mr. Muir said if police do lay charges, the province will refer those cases to federal prosecutors, who will have to decide whether to proceed through the courts.