REGINA, SASK – As originally reported in the Regina Leader-Post, Canadian competitive IPSC challenger Wes Stevens faces a significant hurdle: he is set to represent Canada at the World Shooting Championships without his own firearm. This unfortunate situation is a product of Canada’s misguided and antisocial gun control laws, which have made it increasingly difficult or impossible for law-abiding sports shooters to acquire and transport the tools they need to fairly compete in international competitions.
Stevens’ situation is not unique. Athletes across the country are grappling with the implications of Bill C-21, legislation that, while claiming to curb gun violence, target communities that don’t engage in gun violence to begin with. The International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) of Canada has has stated concerns that the bill’s restrictions could lead to the extinction of the sport within the nation. Without the ability to replace worn-out equipment or introduce new athletes to the discipline, the future of competitive shooting in Canada is running on borrowed time.
In contrast to Canada’s gun control regime, countries like Australia and New Zealand, despite having strict gun laws, have implemented exemptions for IPSC athletes, recognizing the distinction between sport shooting and other forms of firearm use. These nations have established licensing procedures that allow competitive shooters to train and compete legally, ensuring the sport’s continuity and the athletes’ ability to represent their countries on the world stage.
The Canadian government’s current stance places athletes like Stevens in an unfortunate position, forcing them to navigate complex legal landscapes to maintain their involvement in the sport. As the World Shooting Championships approach, the absence of Canadian competitors due to domestic policy decisions reiterates the need for a major rethink of Canada’s anti-Canadian gun control laws.
The recently-elected Mark Carney Liberal government has stated they will accelerate gun confiscation plans, despite strong opposition among Canada’s millions of gun owners and the Conservative Party of Canada, the country’s official opposition. The relatively small-calibre firearms used in sports like IPSC’s PCC division are among those recently banned and subject to future confiscation, which will likely begin this year.
