P.E.I.'s federal election candidates offered education on gun control

An Island group that advocates for responsible gun ownership wantscandidates running in P.E.I. in the upcoming federal election to be well-educated about gun control.

The Women Shooters of Prince Edward Island, a group that provides women-only safety firearm training, sent an invitation to the 13 candidates declared so far in P.E.I.asking them to attend a firearms safety course next month and to talk to the group.

Kate MacQuarrie, who chairs the group,said it's important to ensure elected officials arewell versed on the issue.

'Evidence-based decision making'

"We felt that if you're going to comment on gun controland particularly if you're going to make decisions on gun law,you should have a good knowledge of what the current situation is," she said.

"It's a very emotional issue for the public, which I totally understand."

MacQuarrie said she's heard back from a few candidates so far who say they cannot take time away from their campaigning to attend the10-hour course, but she said theyare open to meeting with the group to discuss itsconcerns.

"It's important to me because I'm very much a proponent ofevidence-based legislation and decisions that we do," she said.

"When we're making, particularly legislative decisions based on emotion, it penalizes Canadiansthat it should not penalize."

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