MP Hoeppner Joined by Retired Police Officers to Challenge Wasteful and Ineffective Long-gun Registry

May 06, 2010

OTTAWA – Conservative MP Candice Hoeppner was joined by three retired members of the Winnipeg Police Special Weapons Unit today to voice their opposition to the wasteful and ineffective long-gun registry.  Former Officers Jack Tinsley, Mitch McCormick and Dave Shipman gave their personal stories in front of the national media about how they believe that the long-gun registry did not help them in doing their jobs.

“There is a real debate between police officers coast to coast to coast on the usefulness and effectiveness of the long-gun registry,” said Hoeppner.   “Some will have you believe that police are 100% united on this issue but the fact is that a great deal of both current and former police officers who do not believe that the long-gun registry is effective or saves lives. That is why I am encouraged that former officers Tinsley, McCormick and Shipman have joined me today to make their views known and to testify this afternoon before the Public Safety Committee.”

“We have been receiving dozens of phone calls from currently serving police officers from across the country who are united in their opposition to the long-gun registry,” stated Jack Tinsley.  “Just yesterday I spoke to a long-serving veteran of the Winnipeg Police Service who was shot in the line of duty with an unregistered long-gun. He wanted to tell his story today in front of Parliament yet was silenced from doing so. While he cannot speak out, I am here to speak on his behalf and for all those active police officers who want to end the long-gun registry.”

The House of Commons Public Safety Committee is continuing hearings on the wasteful and ineffective long-gun registry over the coming weeks.