So the registry stays.

[gunman300]

153 to 151 votes in favour of keeping the registry. What a crock. Polls show 86% of Canadians are in favour of scrapping it so does this mean MPs don't give a rats butt about representing thier constituents?

[deerhuntercentral]

Originally Posted by gunman300

so does this mean MPs don't give a rats butt about representing thier constituents?

That's precisely what it means. The whole thing is about playing political games in the House of Commons, not about what the people want, it's always been that way. It's like a bunch of spoiled children on the playground.

Billy "lets play tag"
Johny "nah I don't want to play tag"
Suzy "I will play tag with you Billy"
Billy "I will only play tag if Johny plays"
Suzy "Johny lets play tag"
Johny "OK but only if Billy doesn't play"

etc etc etc

[BigRackLover]

It's sad day.

My guns will remain unregistered.

I am a criminal, come and get me.

[wolfman74]

we are slowly losing all are rights gotta love our govenment....

[wolfman74]

Originally Posted by wolfman74

we are slowly losing all are rights gotta love our govenment....

and than they wiil go after our archery

This may all be a blessing in diguise. If voters remember how their MPs voted and the Liberals and NDP lose a few seats because of it, we may well end up with a Conservative majority in the next election. I just look at it as a temporary set back with huge possibilities!

[Trakker262]

Originally Posted by wolfman74

we are slowly losing all are rights gotta love our govenment....

Thought I'd give my thoughts on this but I'll just post a quote from a friend instead:

Every genocide that was committed during the 20th century has been preceded by the disarmament of the target population. Once the government outlaws your guns your life becomes a luxury afforded to you by the state. You become a tool to benefit the state. Should you cease to benefit the state or even worse become an annoyance or even a hindrance to the state then your life becomes more trouble than it is worth.

Once the government outlaws your guns your life is forfeit. You're already dead, it's just a question of when they are going to get around to you.

[bigoldan43]

Originally Posted by Trakker262

Thought I'd give my thoughts on this but I'll just post a quote from a friend instead:

Every genocide that was committed during the 20th century has been preceded by the disarmament of the target population. Once the government outlaws your guns your life becomes a luxury afforded to you by the state. You become a tool to benefit the state. Should you cease to benefit the state or even worse become an annoyance or even a hindrance to the state then your life becomes more trouble than it is worth.

Once the government outlaws your guns your life is forfeit. You're already dead, it's just a question of when they are going to get around to you.

Hard to dispute that comment I'm thinking. I'd hate to think our society would decay that far. But have a look at some of the former USSR states and the genocides that happened there.

I'll state again. Less talkin' more action'. Join the NFA. The only way we will win is to band together. Our big talk didn't work. Now we we have to try something different.

[Don Meredith]

Originally Posted by gunman300

153 to 151 votes in favour of keeping the registry. What a crock. Polls show 86% of Canadians are in favour of scrapping it so does this mean MPs don't give a rats butt about representing thier constituents?

I've yet to see a poll that much in favor of scrapping it. The last one I saw was 65% in favor of the registry (I'm talking national here, and even in Alberta it's close). That one was taken just a couple of weeks ahead of last night's vote. So, in actual fact, many of the MPs were representing their constituents. The problem has always been that the anti-registration side has had difficulty getting its message out beyond the already convinced.

I'm on a couple of national, writers' e-mail listservs, and have had many heated discussions with people who just don't understand what the registration is all about. Several mentioned to me they hadn't heard my arguments before. A few I convinced that the registry wasn't worth the expense, but most just thought it should be in place because the chiefs of police said so and it seems logical. That's been the problem all along: the registration to most people just seems the right thing to do, when in fact, it does nothing to prevent gun violence.

I doubt the registration will be a key election issue. Most people will be looking at the economy, health care and other more critical issues to the average person. If the Bloc can keep most of its seats in Quebec, we will most likely have another minority; or indeed a coalition as happened in the UK and Australia. Most people don't trust Harper, don't understand Ignatieff, or don't want to be governed by Layton. We need some leadership with real visions of where this country should go, but I don't see that happening soon.

Again, just my opinion of the moment.

[gunman300]

Originally Posted by Don Meredith

I've yet to see a poll that much in favor of scrapping it. The last one I saw was 65% in favor of the registry (I'm talking national here, and even in Alberta it's close). That one was taken just a couple of weeks ahead of last night's vote. So, in actual fact, many of the MPs were representing their constituents. The problem has always been that the anti-registration side has had difficulty getting its message out beyond the already convinced.

I'm on a couple of national, writers' e-mail listservs, and have had many heated discussions with people who just don't understand what the registration is all about. Several mentioned to me they hadn't heard my arguments before. A few I convinced that the registry wasn't worth the expense, but most just thought it should be in place because the chiefs of police said so and it seems logical. That's been the problem all along: the registration to most people just seems the right thing to do, when in fact, it does nothing to prevent gun violence.

I doubt the registration will be a key election issue. Most people will be looking at the economy, health care and other more critical issues to the average person. If the Bloc can keep most of its seats in Quebec, we will most likely have another minority; or indeed a coalition as happened in the UK and Australia. Most people don't trust Harper, don't understand Ignatieff, or don't want to be governed by Layton. We need some leadership with real visions of where this country should go, but I don't see that happening soon.

Again, just my opinion of the moment.

86% is the number that was on the screen when I watched Global Calgary this morning. Wether it is right or wrong I don't know, it is just what they reported. Whether it is 65% or 86%, the majority want it gone.

[Don Meredith]

Originally Posted by gunman300

86% is the number that was on the screen when I watched Global Calgary this morning. Wether it is right or wrong I don't know, it is just what they reported. Whether it is 65% or 86%, the majority want it gone.

That might have been their straw poll, where who's ever interested enough to vote votes. Anti-registry people are more inclined to vote and are often 'whipped' to do so by their organizations. The scientific polls I've seen have never shown that kind of majority. Most people are urban, don't own guns or shoot or know people who do.

[elkhunter11]

That might have been their straw poll, where who's ever interested enough to vote votes. Anti-registry people are more inclined to vote and are often 'whipped' to do so by their organizations.

That is no different than any other poll,or even for a federal election,those people that are interested enough to vote do so,while other people don't.You only need to look at recent elections to see how pathetic the turn out has been.
Anti-gun,and anti hunting groups,police chiefs,and political leaders are all more inclined to vote,and are often "whipped" to do so by their organizations.

[Jadham]

Actually that poll that showed 86% of people favored getting rid of it was a completely biased survey.... e.g. it was not a representative sample of average canadians.

Polls done properly (e.g. not just polling hunters) have shown that the majority of canadians FAVOR keeping the registry.

Now don't shoot the messenger, I just wanted to clarify the difference in reporting.

As an aside, the same story sometimes have completely different themes to their headlines, depending on the readership. For example, today in the Calgary Herald "Federal Deficit Continues to Shrink" vs. the Globe and Mail's "Ottawa Adds Debt at a Slower Pace". One title is quite optimistic vs. one which is neutral to pessimitic.... for the SAME STORY.

Given that the majority of Canadians want the gun registry, I think a more realistic dream is a modification to the law that will decriminalize not registering them.