But according to some Alberta gun shops, taking personal information is simply a point of business, not a matter of public knowledge.

“What business doesn’t take information?” said Len Kucey of Phoenix Indoor Range and Gun Shop, 4706 76 Ave.

“We’re selling something that’s valuable.”

Dianne Harnois, co-owner of P & D Enterprises, an Edmonton gun retailer at 10552 115 St., echoes the sentiment saying they do take information for their own purposes.

“Not that it’s mandatory, but it is a requirement of the licence. We are doing the same thing we did prior to the registration,” said Harnois, stressing names and details of clientele is not for public viewing.

Both said they have never been told taking down information — above and beyond the buyer’s gun licence info — is a condition of their dealer’s licence.

In other parts of the country, the situation is much different. The constitutionality of Quebec officials setting up a provincial registry from the national lists is being debated.

And according to a QMI report earlier in the week, a de facto registry is being compiled in Ontario as the provincial firearms officer has told sellers to document buyer information.

Both Ontario and Quebec have provincial police departments that appoint a chief firearms officer but in Alberta, the role is governed by the RCMP.

In a response to questions about the registry, the RCMP gave no indication of developing a registry in Alberta.

“While this is a provincial issue, our government has always been clear. C-19 delivers on our government’s promise to end the wasteful and ineffective long-gun registry once and for all and it has done nothing to keep Canadians safe,” said Julie Carmichael, director of communications for the Office of the Minister of Public Safety.

“Canadians have been clear on their desire to end this $2-billion boondoggle that criminalized law-abiding Canadians. The federal government will not assist the provinces in setting up a registry by the back door.”

david.lazzarino@sunmedia.ca