TheGunBlog.ca — The Canadian government delayed a new law adding paperwork and restrictions on shooters and gun stores until the spring, the Saskatoon Star Phoenix newspaper reported, citing Minister of Public Safety Ralph Goodale.

The spring session of parliament runs March 19 to June 22, when the house breaks until Sept. 22. The House of Commons has been on Christmas break since Dec. 14, and resumes Jan. 29.

The Liberal Party, which controls parliament, said in its 2015 election campaign it would require more checks when buying or selling guns, more procedures and paperwork to take firearms to a shooting range or gunsmith, more list-keeping by gun stores, and new markings on imported guns.

“We’re working very hard to make sure that we get a piece of legislation that actually achieves the objective, does so in a way that enhances the safety of Canadians but at the same time respects the rights of law-abiding firearms users,” Goodale told reporters in Saskatoon, the Star Phoenix said Jan. 25 on its website.

Goodale said in September 2016 that he wanted to present the law to parliament in the “weeks ahead” to respect promises made during the 2015 election campaign. He said in October 2017 that he planned to table the proposal by the end of the year. Since November, it has been planned for the “near future.”

In addition to the planned legislation, an existing law to hinder gun imports takes effect Dec. 1. The so-called Firearms Marking Regulations were scheduled to come into force on June 1, 2017, and wrought turmoil on Canada’s gun industry last year before being delayed by 18 months. It was the eighth deferral since the regulations were approved in 2004.

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