New long gun rules won’t be enforced(Canada barf alert)

examiner.com ^ | 15 October, 2012 | Nam Tran

[marktwain]

Remember when the Harper government killed the long gun registry earlier this year, and received tonnes of criticism? Well, they’re trying to fix their wrongs by developing a new rule which will place serial numbers on long guns for tracking.

The regulation, which begins on Dec. 1, will make it possible for police to track guns, which will in turn contribute to public safety, a government backgrounder explained to CBC News. They said the reasoning behind the regulation is “to contribute to public safety, by facilitating law enforcement investigations when the markings can be linked to information on the last legal owner of the firearm.”

[marktwain]

It would certainly be beneficial if the long guns did not have serial numbers, but nearly all long guns have been required to have serial numbers since 1968. I would love to see Canadian manufacturers stop putting serial numbers on long guns, but it seems very unlikely, as they are requred to be sold in the United States, which is about 80% of the market.

The big advantage of not haveing serial numbers is, as said in the article, the prevention of a registry. No serial numbers, no registry. As the registry has proved to be an enormous waste of resources, and virtually no violent crimes have been solved with the registry, this would be a very good thing.

[Squawk 8888]

Canada Ping!

[Paladin2]

Who knew?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Firearms_manufacturers_in_Canada

[Gertie]

Without a serial number, a stolen gun could not be found, nor could it be insured.

[marktwain]

Without a serial number, a stolen gun could not be found, nor could it be insured.

Why not? Owners could put their own ID on guns, just as they do on other items now. Insurance covers many things without serial numbers. I believe owners are asked to take pictures of the items to prove that they had them.

Large numbers of shotguns and .22 rifles do not have serial numbers, if they were made before 1968. I have owned quite a few of them.

[Yo-Yo]

I own a pre ‘68 shotgun, a Sears Ted Williams model, with no serial number.

[M1903A1]

From the comments of a couple of ex-Canadian troops now in the states, I get the impression quite a few C1A1s, Inglis Hi-Powers and other military toys “escaped” custody and are now ensconced in basements and attics all over Canada. :-D

[soupbone1]

How long before all guns will have a tracking device similar to cell phones that would triangulate your position.