Parti Qubcois divided over made-in-Quebec long-gun registry

Parti Qubcois MNAs are divided over the Liberal government's proposed long-gun registry, with some worrying about the "practical elements" of the bill and the negative portrayal of hunters.

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The divisions appeared on the second day of the PQ's caucusretreat in Saguenay.

After the Harper government scrapped the federal long-gun registry, all parties in the National Assembly agreed that that Quebec neededto create its own.

Gun-control advocates were overjoyed when the Couillard government tabled a bill to do just that in December.

Hunters are under the impression they're viewed as mean and violent people - andthat's not true,- PQ MNA for GaspGatan Lelivre

However, some Parti Qubcois politicians, including Gatan Lelivre from Gaspe, say they're hearing from constituentsworried about different aspects of the bill, such as the obligation for owners to affixtheir registration number totheir guns.

"Some of these guns are rare and antiquescollectors' guns," said Lelivre."If we start engraving them, that affects their value."

Lelivre also saidhunters in his constituency feel they are unfairly portrayed.

"Hunters are under the impression they're viewed as mean and violent people. And that's false," he said.

PQ House Leader Bernard Drainville admits there are differing opinions within his caucus.

"You've got different sensibilities on the territory," Drainville said. "So we must take into account these different sensibilities and come to a consensus. And we're working hard on that."

The party's deputy house leader, AgnsMaltais, said despite the reticence of some MNAs,the officialposition of the PQ caucus hadn't changed.

"We support the registry," she said.

Some Liberal MNAs nervous, too

PQ MNAs are not the only ones nervous about the proposed gun registry.

A recent report inLe Devoirrevealed some Liberal politicians are concerned by aspects oftheir own government's bill.

When legislative hearings into the bill begin, stakeholders will be able to present their perspectives to MNAs. Afterwards, all parties can propose amendments.

No date has yet been set for those legislative hearings.