With all the tension surrounding recent developments with Bill C-21, the Saskatchewan government has decided to take steps to help level the playing field.

The provincial government of Saskatchewan has decided to both rebuke the federal government's amendments to Bill C-21 and set up the Saskatchewan Firearms Act (SFA) to help smooth the effects of the bill and to protect law-abiding firearms owners in the province.

Swift Current MLA, Everett Hindley, believes that the SFA will help to level the field, offering a fair solution for those affected.

"What it's designed to do is to help address concerns of responsible firearms owners and enhance public safety across Saskatchewan," said Hindley. "That's what the focus of this is. It will actually implement provincial firearms laws that promote the safe use of and transportation and storage of firearms."

One of the things that come along with the SFA, is the implementation of a new committee to oversee the buybacks, the Firearms Compensation Committee. It will be the committee's job to ensure a fair evaluation of any firearms, ammunition, and associated accessories being expropriated by federal government agents. 

Another major change coming is a reworking of the licensing system for firearms owners in the province. The system will include more core focus and use of training and education on safety and other aspects of ownership. This will also translate to a made-in-Saskatchewan campaign promoting safe firearm use and ownership.

Many of these features will take time to flesh out and construct, with the government setting aside $3.2 million for the time being to begin working on these supportive offices and programs.

For law enforcement, efforts will be made to work alongside them to help ensure they have the appropriate tools to go after lawbreakers. One boon of this program for them will be the two new forensics labs for testing and verifying the use and condition of firearms. 

"Responsible firearms use has been part of a way of life for many people in Swift Current and southwest Saskatchewan and right across our province," said Hindley. "Of course, we want to ensure that we're promoting the safe and responsible use of firearms, but we also want to ensure that law enforcement has options to address individuals who commit crimes using firearms. Public safety is paramount, but also ensuring that responsible firearms owners are not targeted in this way by the federal government."

The Bill C-21 amendment would see an estimated 50% of the 150,000 registered gun owners in Saskatchewan, risk becoming criminals for harbouring illegal firearms. In the amendment to the bill, there is no mention of a buyback or compensation for these once-lawful pieces.

The implementation of the SFA and its many developing components are being mostly entrusted to the Saskatchewan Firearms Office (SFO). The SFO will also be undertaking a more involved role with non-violent firearms offences.