Alberta’s Crown prosecutors to determine charges under federal Firearms Act: Shandro

Alberta’s Crown prosecutors will determine whether or not to pursue charges under the federal Firearms Act starting Jan. 1, 2023.

Justice Minister Tyler Shandro announced the changes during a news conference Thursday morning, saying the province has the constitutional authority to handle federal criminal law charges.

Anyone who obtained their firearm prior to May 2020 will not be prosecuted in Alberta, Shandro said. Anyone who had their firearm reclassified as prohibited on May 1, 2020 will also not be prosecuted, according to a news release on Thursday.

This does not apply to anyone who has been charged with any other offences related to the possession or use of that firearm.

He also sent a letter to federal Justice Minister and Attorney General David Lametti, which stated the province will be handling charges under the federal Firearms Act.

This comes after the federal government tabled the controversial Bill C-21 on May 30, which aims to enshrine a legal definition of “assault-style” weapons into law.

The bill has been criticized by hunters and chiefs at the Assembly of First Nations, who say the proposed gun-control legislation will affect treaty rights and affect law-abiding citizens.

“Their actions are targeting Western Canadians for a reason. This is about shoring up their own political support,” Shandro told reporters.

“To do so, they seek to divide us Western Canadians and Eastern Canadians, rural Canadians and urban Canadians… Albertans have had enough.

“This is very political. This is not about targeting and reducing gun crime. They are failing to do anything about the illegal smuggling of firearms across the border.”

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