WHEREAS the Government of Canada continues to interfere with hunting, trapping recreational target shooting, firearms collecting and historical firearms activities through federal legislation such as Bills C-17 and C-68 (Firearms Act), by imposing restrictive firearms and criminal legislation upon methods and tools used to carry out and enjoy this culture and these traditions;AND WHEREAS the methods and tools used for these purposes are part and parcel of this historically established culture and heritage and thus not negotiable to control or regulation by government as prescribed in the Canadian Charter Of Rights And Freedoms (section #27 – General), which states that This Charter shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the preservation and enhancement of the multicultural heritage of Canadians.”; AND WHEREAS the federal legislation existing in C-17 and C-68 clearly infringes upon Canadians rights and freedoms to life and liberty, violating Section 7 of legal rights in the “CANADIAN CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS” by creating cumbersome, expensive absurd requirements for its citizens, and forcing hunters, trappers, recreational target shooters, firearms collectors and historical firearms activities to change their culture and traditions towards ideals maintained by the political elite currently in power.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that that the AAMDC urge the Government of Alberta to enact an Alberta Western Firearms Heritage And Historical Act which states in part: ” Alberta residents shall have the right to own, enjoy and use firearms in a responsible manner, and no law shall infringe upon heritage, culture and other historical rights relating to hunting, trapping, recreational target shooters, firearms collectors and historical firearms activities, and if necessary, the Government of Alberta will legally challenge any aforementioned infringements and will, after a referendum, invoke the “notwithstanding clause so described within the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms with respect to any law which infringes upon the aforementioned western culture and historical heritage of individual Alberta residents.”

The hunting, trapping, target shooters, firearm collectors and historical firearms communities of Alberta ask that the Government of Alberta consider the following resolution in view of the fact that Federal multiculturalism expands and protects other cultures and traditions while at the same time, our Alberta western heritage, culture and traditions are under attack via intrusions into our property rights and our individual freedoms. We believe our western heritage and historical culture and traditions are equally important to preserve and protect.The following resolutions were passed at previous AAMDC Conventions: Resolution 15-98F, endorsed at Fall 1998 Convention, calls on the Province to take whatever action it deems necessary to ensure that Bill C-68 is not legally binding in Alberta and urges the province to form an alliance with other provinces in opposition to the legislation. Resolution 12-01S, endorsed at Spring 2001 Convention, calls on the provincial government to withdraw from participation and enforcement of the federal firearms legislation, and to hold a province-wide referendum on the issue during the October 2001 municipal election.

The intent of this resolution is consistent with two previously endorsed resolutions (Resolutions 15-98F and 12-01S) which both seek to prevent federal gun control legislation from coming into effect in Alberta.