their collective feet.
This week's vote on the gun registry was a disappointment to me but as pointed out by many pundits, it could be a boon for the Tories.
Indeed, if the Conservatives get their long sought after Majority in the coming Election - it will be due in large part to the position they have taken on the Long Gun Registry - that is to say it is a monumental waste of time and money.
I have covered the reasons why in a previous Blog but suffice to say, we here in Canada already have two gun registries and a third is simply not needed despite the protestations of the Three Opposition Leaders. Hunters are licenced, and Gun Owners, me included, must have an Acquisition Permit to buy both long guns and ammunition.
The Libs brought in this wasted registry following the Poly Tech massacre as a feel good measure that would not have stopped those deaths had it been in effect prior to that tragic event and would certainly not stop future such occurrences today. They simply wanted to be seen doing something despite the fact that it made absolutely no sense yet cost a King's ransom.
The Heads of Police are in favour of its retention - not to save lives - but to secure more money and create more police jobs. I know this may come as a shock to some but I have worked in the past in close association with the police and there is nothing they like more than increased budgets and personnel. But rest assured, the local constable - often a hunter himself - knows well the futility of the registry.
I get a particular kick out of Ignatieff saying that it is now time to "heal the Rural / Urban rift" - just after he and his anti long gun conferes poked the Rural Community in the eye by voting for the continuation of the Registry. Pretty galling to me !!
The long gun to the Rural is like the Watering Can to the Urban. They are simply tools to get the job done.
Enough said about that. But back to the Political Fall-out.
My guess is that 12 seats are now up for grab by the Tories given the naive position taken by the Opposition. Some left wing pundits state that the long gun issue will not last until the Election - "bread and butter issue of the Economy are what count".
These pundits are saying that from the comfort of their Urban sprawl - the long gun issue in the Rural parts of Canada, especially in the more northerly reaches, attains a religious zeal that is not soon apt to be forgotten.
Count me as one of those who believe that the Tories lost the vote but may well have won the coming Election.
As I see it...
"Galagher"
