Last week the RCMP released the 2009 Report from the Commissioner of Firearms.  The report provides statistics and information about the Canadian Firearms Program, which has been under RCMP administration since 2006.

Several key areas are highlighted in the report, including the contribution to public safety of the firearms registration program, through online query to front line law enforcement, which has been resoundingly debated by various interested groups and the government.  The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police have frequently commented on the continued need for the firearms registry, and in particular the “long-gun” registry, as a critical tool for police.

On the other hand, shooter’s interest groups such as the Canadian Shooting Sports Association, with the support of members of the government, have repeatedly called for the registry to be scrapped.  Last month, a private member’s bill to do just that was struck down in Parliament, by a narrow vote.

Of particular interest to the firearms safety training industry is the section of the report on the firearms safety program, which is cited first in the chapter, ”Contribution to Public Safety”.

The growth of firearms training over the last five years has been tremendous, leaping from 55,908 non-restricted test graduates in 2005 to 83,287 in 2009.  For restricted firearms, the popularity has been more staggering, and in the same period the number of restricted test graduates jumped from 10,620 to 22,773, according to the RCMP’s statistics.

At least part of the reason for the remarkable growth in the numbers of successful restricted firearms tests completed could be the Canada Border Services Agency, which requires all new recruits to obtain a restricted and non-restricted licence prior to appointment.  Until 2009, the agency was hiring with regularity.  In addition, existing employees occupying armed positions have had to obtain a firearms licence prior to receiving duty firearm training.  By October 2010, the agency had trained over 1,800 officers to carry a duty firearm.

Most interesting about the numbers of firearms safety course graduates over the last five years is that the numbers show a steady increase in every year, with no declining years.  The trend, therefore, is that firearms safety training will continue to be in demand in the future, as people seek employment in armed public and private sector positions, and as more people become interested in shooting sports.