The Conservative government came one stop closer to dismantling the gun registry. Last week, the initial stage of scrapping the long gun registry was approved in the House of Commons. I hope that Canadians will not stand by and allow vacuous ideology to set us back 20 years.

The gun registry has been a flashpoint in rural Canada where many own rifles and shotguns for hunting and other purposes. In the early 90s after the Montréal massacre at l`École Polytechnique, that killed 14 women using a long gun on Dec. 6, 1989, there was a recognition that gun control would be one essential tool in tracking guns. The Liberal government at the time passed a law that would require all guns to be registered by owners when purchased. The purpose of this registry is not to treat lawful gun owners as criminals, just like car owners are not assumed to be criminals when asked to register their cars. It is about traceability and responsibility.

Like anytime new methods are introduced, there is some resistance and skepticism. That skepticism was exploited from day one by some the Reform/Conservatives who kept encouraging Canadians to reject the requirement to register their weapons.

By constantly amplifying that skepticism and repeating that citizens are being treated like criminals if they are asked to register their weapons, we failed to have an honest discussion about the value of registering one’s guns.

Every Canadian is required to register their car. They are expected to acquire a fishing or hunting license. They must register their pet. Why are the Conservative perpetuating the idea that registering one’s rifle is invasive?

What’s next? If registering a shotgun is too much, then would requiring gun owners to obtain a license to operate a weapon is too much?

As a society, we believe in gun control. Maintaining a traceable registry of weapons is in a way parallel to maintaining a registry of our vehicles. The registry would actually protect gun owners and society.

Just because the initial set-up costs went out of control, it doesn’t mean the system is not functioning properly now. Eliminating the long gun registry will have negligible cost savings but will deprive law enforcement agencies access to knowing where the weapons are.

The gun registry was never promised to be the only method to fight gun crime. We still have to deal with smuggled weapons and illegal guns. But if this new law passes, access to shotguns or rifles will become easier. Rather than tightening controls, this proposed law will loosen it.

If the current process of registering guns is too complicated, we should find a way to simplify it, but no one should be made to believe that registering their weapon is equal to criminal treatment.

It is not too late. Canadians can speak up and tell their MPs that they support the idea of maintaining a gun registry.