Media Advisory
For Immediate Release
April 23, 2008

Bill That Targets Unlawful Guns In Vehicles Will Be Debated In The Ontario Legislature on Thursday April 24th, 2008

Bill 56- Unlawful Firearms in Vehicles Act, 2008 was introduced in the Ontario Legislature by MPP Mike Colle (Eglinton-Lawrence) on April 9th, 2008. It will be debated for second reading on Thursday April 24, 2008 at 11:00am.

If passed, Bill 56 would give police officers new powers to fight gun crime.

• A police officer who has reasonable and probable grounds for believing an offence has been committed shall request the surrender of the driver’s licence and detain the vehicle. The licence is suspended for seven days and the vehicle is impounded for the same length of time. The new section applies to drivers’ licences issued both inside and outside of Ontario.

• The penalties associated with the offence are a fine of not less than $2,000 and not more than $10,000 or imprisonment of not more than 6 months, or both, and a driver’s licence suspension of one year for a first conviction under the section, five years for a second conviction and indefinitely for a third conviction.

Since introduced on April 9th it is worthy to note that an Alberta MLA, has indicated that he plans to introduce a similar bill to give police in Alberta the power to seize vehicles in which unlawful firearms are found in.

This bill does not apply to anyone who has LEGAL right to carry and possess a firearm. (Such as police officers, military personnel, members of gun clubs and hunters).
Contact:

Vittoria Maggisano
Executive Assistant to Mike Colle, M.P.P.
Queen's Park, Room 251
Toronto, Ontario M7A 1A4
Tel: 416-325-4091 / Mobile: 416-671-6172
Fax: 416-325-4136

PS - Please feel free to contact our office if you require further information or have any questions at 416-325-4091 or at mcolle.mpp@liberal.ola.org.