The Toronto Star reports that the Barbra Schlifer Clinic, a Toronto-area legal clinic, has filed a legal challenge seeking a declaration that Bill C-19 (An Act to Abolish the Long Gun Registry) violates sections 7 and 15 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
According to the Star article:
The clinic and its director say women’s rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms — specifically, their right to security and gender equality — would be violated by destroying the registry.
“Changes to the existing gun-control regime will increase the risk of physical violence, forcible confinement at threat of physical violence, serious physical harm, serious psychological harm, and homicide to women in situations of domestic violence,” they say in their application.
This is certainly an interesting development, coming on the heels of Quebec’s ongoing legal challenge against C-19. It remains to be seen whether or not Ontario will intervene, and if they do, what position they will take on this latest challenge.