November 23, 2007

Dear Mr. Whitmore,

RE: Inspection of Collector's Firearms

I appreciate the opportunity of meeting with you and Tony Bernardo on
November 20, 2007, to discuss the Canadian Shooting Sports Association's
concerns with the planned inspections of some firearms owners'
collection in the City of Toronto. I also appreciate the opportunity to
communicate with your membership in addressing this issue.

The Toronto Police Service recently brought several incidents to the
attention of the Chief Firearms Office where the owners of firearms, who
had died or had not been at their residences for significant periods of
time, did not have their firearms safely secured. This is a very real
public safety concern. The Toronto Police Service requested the Chief
Firearms Office take action to address this concern.

The Chief Firearms Office is piloting an initiative that involves
notifying older firearms owners, in Toronto, who own more than 10
firearms, including a restricted or prohibited firearm(s). These
firearms owners will be required to have their firearms inspected by a
firearms officer designated by the Chief Firearms Officer. Each owner
has been provided a pamphlet from the Canadian Firearms Centre setting
out the requirements for safe storage and display. The inspector will
also be providing the firearms owners with information, from the
Canadian Firearms Centre, on how to arrange for the handling of their
firearms in the event of death or incapacity.

The Firearms Act provides for a firearms officer, designated in writing
by the Chief Firearms Officer, the authority to conduct inspections in
certain circumstances, including where the inspector believes on
reasonable grounds that there is a firearms collection, a prohibited
firearm or more than 10 firearms. Where the inspection involves a
dwelling house, the Firearms Act requires the inspector provide
reasonable notice and obtain the occupant's consent. The Firearms Act
also requires the owner or person in charge of a place to give the
inspector reasonable assistance to enable him to carry out the
inspection.

The following guidelines will be used in conducting inspections:

a.. The date and time of the inspection will be at a time agreeable to the
owner or occupant.

b.. The inspector will identify himself to the owner or occupant using a
badge and photo identification provided by the Chief Firearms Office.

c.. All firearms registered to the owner or occupant will be inspected.

d.. No force will be used in conducting the inspection.

e.. A receipt will be issued to the firearms owner for any item taken by
the inspector during the inspection.

f.. Where evidence is found of a criminal offence e.g., failing to report
a lost or stolen firearm, that evidence will be turned over to the police
agency of jurisdiction for their appropriate action.

g.. Where unregistered prohibited or restricted firearm(s) are found, they
may be seized and turned over to the police agency of jurisdiction for
their appropriate action.

h.. The Chief Firearms Office will work with owners to ensure compliance.

Firearms owners, who have been notified of an upcoming inspection, have
been provided a contact name and number of a firearms officer should they
require information or assistance.

The primary goal of the Chief Firearms Office is the protection of public
safety. Safe storage and display of firearms is essential to public safety
to ensure legally possessed firearms do not fall into the hands of
criminals or unauthorized persons. The Chief Firearms Office is seeking
the voluntary compliance of firearms owners with the storage and display
requirements of the Act. The Chief Firearms Office provides education and
information to firearms owners to achieve compliance.

I see this initiative as an opportunity to work together to promote
these objectives. While you are not in agreement with this particular
initiative, we do share the same goal of protecting public safety.

Thank you for ongoing support.

Yours truly,

Chris M. Wyatt, Superintendent
Chief Firearms Officer