(with files from Mallory Cawthra)

The Federal government’s latest take on Bill C-21 , Canada’s gun legislation, has hunters, farmers and ranchers, and the Opposition calling it “the largest assault on hunters in Canadian history.” That’s the word from Carlton Trail-Eagle Creek MP Kelly Block in a release on her website.

The furor is over a last minute amendment that would ban any rifle or shotgun that could hold more than five rounds. That puts legal owners of such firearms in jeopardy of having to give up their weapons or be subject to criminal code charges. 

“These firearms are not the problem. No one believes that going after hunters, and legitimate hunting rifles, will reduce violent crime across the country,“

Dr. Bill Kitchen, MP for Souris-Moose Mountain, also spoke out on the amendment, noting that the government had previously asserted they were not going after hunters. 

"I guess it's been almost three weeks now, they tried to sneak in at the very end of committee hearings this amendment to the legislation, that actually listed a significant number, in fact a huge number, of hunting rifles that are used by hunters throughout Canada,” said Kitchen. “And now, you have the Prime Minister, who is getting caught on this, is basically turning around and saying, 'Oh, well now we're consulting with Canadians and hearing about what they have to say,' but in reality, they're not even consulting at all.”

Both Block and Kitchen stated they remain committed to keeping all Canadians informed. Kitchen advises concerned Canadians to access petitions, examine them, and sign if they feel comfortable doing so.