OTTAWA – The federal Liberals withdrew an amendment to their guns bill today that had introduced a controversial new definition of an assault-style weapon.

On behalf of the government, Vancouver MP Taleeb Noormohamed asked for and received unanimous consent to withdraw the amendment to Bill C-21 at this morning’s House of Commons public safety committee meeting.

The amendment introduced a new definition of an “assault-style’’ gun that includes semi-automatic rifles and shotguns with a capacity of more than five cartridges.

Gun control group PolySeSouvient welcomed the amendment as “another critical step toward a comprehensive and permanent ban on assault-style weapons.’’

But it caused an outcry in many parts of rural Canada, as hunters argued it criminalized weapons they often use legally for hunting.

The Liberals were also under pressure from many of their own MPs to change or withdraw the new definition of weapons being banned.

Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said in a written statement posted to Twitter that the government has committed to coming up with “a clear, standard definition of what constitutes an assault-style firearm.’’

That was what they tried to do with the amendment, but he said “there have been legitimate concerns raised about the need for more consultation and debate on this vital part of the bill.’’

He travelled the country in recent weeks to meet with concerned Canadians.

He also went bison hunting last month with members of the Yukon Fish and Game Association – although he never used or even held a gun – and held a roundtable about the gun law.

The association sent a letter to Yukon MP Brendan Hanley, thanking him for his work in opposing the amendments. (Premier Ranj Pillai, Justice Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee and the Yukon Party also had issues with the amendments.)

“This legislation, as proposed, will cause undue harm and have serious impacts on the rights of hunters in the Yukon,” the association wrote to Hanley.

“Most of our members believe that this bill, if passed, would limit the rights of hunters, and make it much more difficult for us to engage in harvesting activities and feed our families, which has been an important part of our way of life for generations.

“The Government of Canada can be much more effective directing its resources at the criminals who commit violent crimes rather than attacking our law-abiding citizens,” the letter said.

“This new bill treats law-abiding citizens who hunt with legally-owned firearms like criminals.”

Mendicino said today, “We hear those concerns loud and clear, regret the confusion that this process has caused and are committed to a thoughtful and respectful conversation that is based on facts, not fear.

“This is an emotional issue, and Canadians are counting on us to get it right. More discussions, including with Indigenous communities, are crucial.’’

Mendicino said a new solution to keep assault-style weapons off Canada’s streets is underway.

MPs from all three opposition parties expressed relief that the amendment was withdrawn, though the Liberals were still under heavy criticism for trying to push it through in the first place.

In December, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called attention to Hanley’s opposition to the amendments in the House of Commons, telling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that even some Liberal caucus members did not support the government’s plans.

Today, Poilievre held a press conference outside the House of Commons – where he declared his party’s efforts to be the sole reason the Liberals withdrew the amendment.

Conservative MP Doug Shipley said it was a “relief’’ the Liberals had a light bulb go off because he has heard a lot about C-21 in his riding over the holidays.

“I’m happy we got here, don’t get me wrong,’’ he said.

“There will be a lot of relieved hunters and farmers across Canada.’’

The Conservatives are pushing for Mendicino to appear at the committee for two hours to answer questions about the amendment. The Liberals are offering him for one hour.

Conservative MP Glen Motz said Canadians should understand that this all happened in the first place because the Liberals pushed a political agenda that wasn’t informed by consultations with farmers or Indigenous communities.

“Canadians will not forget that,’’ he said.

In May 2020, the Liberal government banned 1,500 models and variants of firearms, including the AR-15 and Ruger Mini-14, through an order-in-council on the grounds they have no place in hunting or sport shooting.

But PolySeSouvient said Canada needed a clear definition of an assault-style firearm in the Criminal Code so bans actually worked to keep them off the street.

The group includes students and graduates of Montreal’s Ecole polytechnique, where a gunman killed 14 women in 1989.

Bill C-21 was introduced last May with multiple changes to the Firearms Act and Criminal Code that would codify the government’s regulated ban on handguns and take away firearms from people considered to be a threat to themselves or others.

The amendment with the new definition of an assault-style weapon was added to the bill at committee at the end of November, after the committee had finished debating the bill and hearing from witnesses.

NDP MP Alistair MacGregor said the amendment “derailed’’ all other progress on C-21.

“I’ve never seen such a groundswell of opposition come really from everywhere all at once,’’ he said.

Noormohamed said the Liberals are aware withdrawing the amendment also took out a reference to “ghost guns’’, which are untraceable weapons.

The proliferation of 3D printers has seen an explosion in the number of “ghost guns,’’ creating a new problem for police and the courts.

The government intends to find a way to ensure Bill C-21 still addresses that issue.

By Mia Rabson
The Canadian Press