The federal gun registry survived a close vote last week in the House of Commons.

But Conservative Elgin- Middlesex-London MP Joe Preston maintains the registry is wasteful and constituents in St. Thomas-Elgin want to see it scrapped.
I've talked to enough on-patrol police officers who tell me that they're on our side in removing the gun registry."
The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police are not. Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair, president of the association, says in a release there's a need to "maintain this important law enforcement tool."

Preston said he's unsure where local police chiefs stand, but "If there was someone locally who was that adamant, I would expect I would have gotten a call on this."
St. Thomas police Chief Bill Lynch said the registry is a valuable tool for ensuring officer safety, but there's room for improvement.
"At the end of the day, it's all about officer safety," Lynch said. "I think there's a real need for improvement and I would encourage all parties to work together so law-abiding citizens don't feel like victims."

That's what local Liberal and NDP candidates want to do.

"I think with some changes it can continue to be a useful tool for the police and public safety and be done in such a way to reduce the cost borne by rural people," said Graham Warwick, federal Liberal candidate for Elgin-Middlesex- London.

Ryan Dolby, NDP candidate for EML said a major overhaul is needed, in particular, separate licences for firearms need to be combined into one and costs reduced.
Last Wednesday, a private member's bill by Conservative MP Candice Hoepnerr was defeated in a close 153- 151 vote, with the Liberals, Bloc Quebecois and most members of the NDP voting to save the registry. Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff called for a whipped vote on the issue, meaning all members were required to vote against the bill, while the NDP permitted a free vote.

The bill made it through second reading by a vote of 164 to 137, with 12 New Democrats and eight Liberals voting in support. But in last week's vote, all eight Liberals and six NDP members voted to save the registry.

As chairman of the procedure and house affairs committee, Preston said a closer look may be needed after this vote. Private member's bills generally are free votes and it was thought this approach would be less controversial than if it were part of the government's agenda, he said.

"There's usually free votes on private member's bills and people generally get to vote the way they see fit, the way they think their constituents see. That isn't what happened in this case."

Preston said nine out of 10 constituents who've contacted him want to scrap the registry.
"I think I've got a fairly good pulse. Is it scientific? Probably not, but to a lot of degrees," he said.
Preston said if most residents wanted to keep the gun registry, he'd take that into consideration.
"We've got the odd one who tells us we're not on the right track on this one, but I still believe I am."
Preston said the gun registry is wasteful and it does nothing to protect people from criminals.