"A gun is a gun is a gun": sport shooter wants unrestricted status for AR-15

Prince George-Peace River MP Bob Zimmer wants to make the AR-15, which has been used in mass shootings in the United States, to be allowed for hunting in Canada.

He presented a petition advocating for the change last month, but it has attracted controversy following this weekend's shooting in Orlando.

The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Orlando's city police department said the shooter used an "AR-type rifle," referring to the ArmaLite-15, more commonly known as simply the AR-15.

Several media outlets are reporting the weapon used in the shooting was actually a Sig Sauer MCX , and the FBI has not confirmed exactly what type of rifle was used. A Sig Sauer MCX is similar in form and function to an AR-15.

Here in Canada the AR-15 is restricted- which, among other things, means it can be used at shooting ranges, but not for hunting. The Canadian Shooting Sports Association supports Zimmer's petition for change, and we speak to executive director Tony Bernardo about why.