Dave Collins affectionately guides his aging yellow lab, Tucker, into his yard in Morrin, Alta. The duo shares a close bond in this small town of just over 200 residents. Morrin falls within the Battle River-Crowfoot riding, a historically conservative area where Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is contesting against a plethora of candidates in an upcoming by-election scheduled for August 18.
Residents in this region are particularly concerned about the federal government’s firearm regulations, notably the contentious buyback program. Dave Collins, a seasoned gun enthusiast, expresses his frustration with the current state of affairs, labeling it a “gong show.” His passion for firearms is evident in his basement, where he showcases decades’ worth of reloading equipment and old rifles, connecting with like-minded individuals who share his hobby.
The government’s ban on “assault-style” firearms in 2020 and subsequent expansion of the prohibited list have stirred mixed reactions. Gun control advocates applaud these measures as crucial steps in eliminating military-style weapons from circulation, while many in the Battle River-Crowfoot constituency feel unfairly targeted by the policy. The delayed buyback program has left lawful gun owners like Collins anxious about the fate of their now-prohibited firearms and the compensation they may receive.
Pierre Poilievre, vying for a seat in the riding, has pledged to scrap the existing buyback program, emphasizing the importance of protecting citizens’ rights to own firearms. As the by-election approaches, firearms policy remains a critical issue for residents like Collins and others in rural Alberta, where hunting and gun ownership are deeply ingrained in the local way of life.
The ongoing debate surrounding firearms policy has caused a stir in communities like Hanna and Drumheller, where gun shows and hunting are integral parts of the culture. Concerns about fair compensation for surrendered firearms, the impact on local gun shows, and the disconnect between urban and rural perspectives on gun ownership are prevalent themes in these regions.
As the political landscape evolves, individuals like Dave Collins reflect the sentiments of many in rural Alberta, highlighting the divide between different regions of the country on contentious issues like firearms policy.