[32-40win]

One example from the Quebec gov't of how the background checks can be used to screw people applying for a PAL. It is a risk from any party in power as it is good political optics, at our expense;



Google translated:
Concerned that the killer of the mosque has easily thwarted the Canadian arms control system, François Legault does not intend, for now, to demand a tightening of the rules in Ottawa.

The Prime Minister reacted to the revelations of our Office of Investigation into the killer of the Quebec City mosque. Alexandre Bissonnette easily lied in his form to acquire six guns. In particular, he managed to obtain two restricted weapons.

"Indeed, it is worrying," said Prime Minister Francois Legault.

"Are there measures to put in place to avoid that? What measure? (...) We will examine it, but it is too early to make an official request to the federal government. "

"This is a serious issue," said Public Safety Minister Geneviève Guilbault's office, hoping to improve the process for verifying medical histories. "We are open to evaluating all options with the government that will be in place. "

According to our information and testimonies collected, the killing of the mosque could have been avoided if the Canadian arms control system was not based solely on the good faith of the applicants, mainly on the issue of mental health. Alexandre Bissonnette had a serious history on his medical file.

At the expense of the applicant

For its part, Québec solidaire believes that an applicant must provide a medical certificate, at his own expense, to acquire a restricted weapon.

"Owning a restricted weapon is a privilege, not a right. It would be easier and more effective for applicants to self-certify their mental health when applying for or renewing a firearms possession and acquisition license, "said the party, adding that presupposing Applicants' good faith has shown limitations and failures with tragic consequences.

A similar policy exists at Transport Canada as part of the Airplane Pilot Permit.

According to QS, a new certificate should be requested, every 5 years, when renewing the permit.

Meanwhile, QS argues that the CAQ government can now enforce the law more vigorously. "Currently, very few resources deal with the processing of license applicants at the SQ, and very few files are formally audited."

No checks

A point of view shared by Heidi Rathjen, coordinator of Polysesouvient. She points out that even if these criteria are set by federal law, their application is ensured by the Sûreté du Québec.

In the form, an applicant must provide a list of two respondents who may be asked to answer questions from the SQ. As for a passport.

"There is no systematic follow-up with respondents, or even random checks to validate the legitimacy of respondents," says Rathjen.

In a letter sent to Polysesouvient a year ago and during the election campaign, the CAQ had nevertheless indicated its intention to better control the search for antecedents for applicants for weapons acquisition licenses.

"The Coalition Avenir Québec is open to studying all measures to improve the security surrounding the licensing process by the Sûreté du Québec. While respecting federal jurisdiction, we must ensure better control of the search for antecedents to avoid tragedies, "said the missive.

promises

Like the Bloc Québécois, the PQ argues that the applicants' background must be verified by verifying the health history of those who want to buy restricted weapons.

The problem, she says, is that there is no real verification of the applicants' mental health background.

In fact, the three main federal opposition parties are committed to improving the mental background check of those who want a firearm.
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