First Nation challenges gun law

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The Tsilhqot'in National Government (TNG) may have started a firestorm with the Canadian government when it took the bold step of issuing its own firearms licences and implementing its own hunting regulations Feb. 14.

The main reason: "We've never been in agreement with having Canada impose their laws upon our people and we felt it was an infringement upon our Aboriginal right to hunt," said Joe Alphonse, the Tsilhqot'in fish and wildlife director. Part of that right is to carry a firearm in order to obtain traditional foods, he explained.

"The loops that people had to through in order to obtain a permit was just unreal. And according to their laws, probably 80-90 per cent of our people won't qualify."

Alphonse said if a band member ever had "stood on a roadblock and if you got a conviction out of it," or if a neighbor had ever "phoned the RCMP on you, you're automatically disqualified."

Some of their members applied for Canada's permit and are still waiting after a year-and-a-half, he said.

The TNG also views the regulations about keeping firearms unloaded and inaccessible to be unworkable where wild animals can pose a sudden danger.

Alphonse said the Tsilhqot'in are the only ones who should be making laws for their 6,000 people. "That's the bottom line for us, and it's another aspect of regaining control of our lives."

It took the TNG two years of community consultation to be ready to issue gun licences. They believe they are the first tribe in Canada to do so. Alphonse said they will do their own background checks and request a criminal record check if they deem it advisable.

They have not established an age limit, but Alphonse said common sense would prevail. He said they have members with a Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC) who are qualified to teach gun safety.

The TNG is considering having its own firearms registry. The RCMP has told them it won't recognize their licences.