A federal Liberal cabinet minister got a clear message from a crowd in Durham Sunday -- don't mess with our guns.
About 200 people turned out as Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction Bill Blair made a stop on his cross country consultations on firearm policies, specifically a possible ban on handguns and assault rifles.
Many people fear any new legislation will result in further restrictions on legally owned firearms and believe responsible owners are being targeted.
Blair said he's heard one main thing from all Canadians, both urban and rural -- they want to be safe.
"In every community I've been to, I've gone to see the mayor, I've gone to see the police chief, I've gone and spoken to Canadians in communities from coast to coast to coast, and in every place I've heard people want to be safe. They expect the government to take responsible actions and do the things that actually work," said Blair in an interview after the discussion.
His job is to report his findings to the prime minister.
Bruce-Grey Owen Sound Conservative MP Larry Miller moderated the event. He's opposed to further firearms restrictions and said nothing he heard from Blair eases his fears.
Close to 200 attended the firearms public meeting Sunday, Feb. 3rd in Durham (Kirk Scott photo)