441-02253 (Public safety)

We, the undersigned Citizens and Residents of Canada draw the attention of the Government of Canada to the following:

• That highly damaging noise levels repeatedly reach the ears of firearm users despite the use of traditional hearing protection;
• That section 7 of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms recognises an individual's right to personal health and safety;
• That sound moderators are the only universally recognised health and safety device that has a criminal prohibition in Canada;
• That, as affirmed in Bedford v. Canada at the Supreme Court of Canada, one cannot be prevented from taking reasonable steps to improve personal safety in a hazardous situation;
• That the majority of G7 nations and many others have recognised the health and safety benefits involved, and allow the legal use of sound moderators by hunters and sport shooters;
• That sound moderators reduce noise pollution and noise complaints in communities with shooting ranges, in rural and farm communities, and in areas used for recreational activities where hunting and target shooting is legal;
• That sound moderators facilitate significantly increased humane husbandry of game animals, livestock, and pets as hunting companions;
• That hearing damage is a significant quality of life and public health issue costing taxpayers millions annually.

THEREFORE, your petitioners call upon the Government of Canada to:

• Take a stand and empower Canadians to be responsible for their own health and safety by removing the prohibition of sound moderators from the Criminal Code of Canada;
• Allow the legal acquisition, possession, and use of sound moderators on firearms by all licensed firearms users in Canada;
• Call upon the provinces and territories to amend provincial and territorial prohibitions and allow the use of sound moderators while engaged in all legal hunting and sport shooting activities.