Montreal

Firearms lobby launches constitutional challenge of Quebec gun registry

The National Firearms Association is challenging Quebec's new gun registry on constitutional grounds.

Owners of shotguns and rifles required to register weapons under new provincial law

Quebec passed legislation in June forcing owners of shotguns and rifles to register their weapons. (Jeff McIntosh/Canadian Press)

The National Firearms Association is challenging Quebec's new gun registry on constitutional grounds.

Association president Sheldon Clare says his organization is also seeking an injunction against the implementation of the law until the challenge is heard.

The group launched the legal proceedings in Quebec Superior Court last week and has not yet heard back from the provincial government.

Clare said in an interview from Vancouver that Quebec's new law creating a provincial database for long guns infringes upon federal jurisdiction in matters of criminal law.

He said there is no field of provincial jurisdiction allowing Quebec to create its own registry.

Quebec's National Assembly passed legislation in early June forcing owners of shotguns and rifles to register their weapons with the government or risk fines for non-compliance.