The Saskatchewan Firearms Office has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Métis Nation - Saskatchewan as they're looking to provide ongoing firearms safety education for Métis citizens. In it, the Office and the Métis Nation agreed to outline partnership pieces such as increasing firearms licenses among MN-S citizens and promoting firearms safety and education.
"Our government is committed to promoting public safety within all communities and protecting the rights of all lawful firearms owners," said Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod. "Through this partnership we want to encourage responsible firearm ownership and support Métis traditions in a way that keeps people informed and protected."
The Memorandum outlines four specific items between the Office and the Nation:
- Promotion of education and licensing of as many community members as possible.
- Minimizing unnecessary criminalization of individuals for regulatory offences.
- Appropriate compensation for seized firearms.
- Protection of gun owners' current and future privileges.
"Firearms safety education is of the utmost importance to our MN-S government to ensure our Métis harvesting traditions are responsibly passed down to the next generation," said Métis Nation - Saskatchewan President Glen McCallum. "We are pleased the Saskatchewan Firearms Office wants to continue to strengthen our working relationship with a recommitment to work together on educational programs based on current and incoming firearms regulations."
Both organizations will coordinate to provide education to Métis citizens on existing and incoming firearms laws. Training and educational materials will also be provided by the Office to Métis community centres to encourage and facilitate members in becoming fully licensed and legally compliant firearms owners.
"The Saskatchewan Firearms Office is proud to partner with MN-S again to ensure Métis citizens have the knowledge to legally use and store firearms safely," said Saskatchewan Firearms Office Commissioner Robert Freberg. "Greater compliance increases public safety and through this partnership we will contribute to a safer Saskatchewan for our communities."
This MOU is the second firearms education agreement between the Office and the Métis nation.