Ottawa, February 15, 2012 – Brian Jean, MP for Fort McMurray-Athabasca, is celebrating this afternoon the final vote in the House of Commons to abolish the wasteful long-gun registry.

“Ending the long-gun registry has been a priority of mine since I was first elected,” Jean said. “I have long said that instead of hassling law-abiding Canadians, we are better to focus our efforts on measures that actually tackle crime and make our streets and communities safe.”

Bill C-19, the Ending the Long-Gun Registry Act,

• Repeals the requirement to register non-restricted firearms (long-guns);
• Provides for the destruction of all records pertaining to the registration of long-guns currently contained in the Canadian Firearms Registry and under the control of the chief firearms officers; and
• Maintains controls over restricted and prohibited firearms.

Bill C-19 passed Third Reading in the House of Commons this afternoon by a margin of 159 to 130. Passage of the bill was opposed by members of the NDP, Liberal and Bloc Quebecois caucuses.

The Bill now proceeds to the Senate for further debate.