Should provinces create their own long-gun registries?

An Enfield rifle shown at a gun and rifle store in downtown Vancouver. Ottawa is suggesting provinces could start their own long-gun registries if the federal program is scrapped. (Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)

The federal government suggests provinces should have the right to form their own long-gun registries if and when the federal program is scrapped.

If the federal program were to be scrapped, "Quebec or any of the provinces are free to move forward with any proposals within their jurisdictions," said Michael Patton, a spokesman for Public Safety Minister Vic Toews.

The Conservatives have campaigned for many years to get rid of the long-gun registry, which requires gun owners to register all long-barrelled rifles and shotguns. The party considers the act "ineffective and wasteful."

It has been a hot-button issue since its introduction in 1995.

Should the long-gun registry be scrapped? What do you think of creating provincial registries?

(This survey is not scientific. Results are based on readers' responses.)