Former RCMP officer and BC NDP candidate for Surrey-Serpentine Baltej Singh Dhillon is expressing deep concern over BC Conservative leader John Rustad's proposal to direct police to ignore federal gun safety laws in British Columbia. Dhillon warns that Rustad’s stance would seriously undermine efforts to combat gang violence and jeopardize public safety in communities across the province.

Referring to federal gun laws that restrict semi-automatic assault rifles and handguns, Rustad promised to “instruct police not to enforce those laws.” Rustad made the comments at a community event in Fort St. John last month and repeated them in a press conference on Friday.

"The laws Rustad is planning to ignore are about targeting illegal guns used in violent crimes, including AR-15-style rifles and handguns,” said Dhillon. “Ignoring these laws sends a dangerous message to gangs and that: under John Rustad, they’ll be able to import and carry these guns with impunity.”

Bill C-21 freezes handgun sales, restricts semi-automatic assault rifles, and gives police the authority to seize firearms from individuals involved in domestic violence or with restraining orders against them.

"This isn’t about hunting and legal gun ownership," said Dhillon. “This is about the types of illegal weapons sought and used by organized gangs.”

Earlier this week, Surrey RCMP seized a cache of dangerous weapons, including handguns.

“At a time when we need to be backing up police and giving them more tools to fight gang violence, it’s astonishing that John Rustad is promising to tie their hands,” said Dhillon. “This would endanger police officers and put more people at risk of gun violence in our communities."

Video of Rustad’s comments is available here.