In rural Alberta, federal gun rules seen as 'gong show' as byelection approaches

"Come on, you old fart."

Dave Collins opens a gate and lets his 13-year-old yellow lab Tucker plod into his front yard.

Collins and Tucker are tied at the hip, living in the "big city" of Morrin, Alta., population a little more than 200.

Morrin sits in the rural riding of Battle River-Crowfoot, a longtime conservative stronghold where Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is running against more than 200 candidates in a byelection set for Aug. 18.

Among the issues for voters in the region are the federal government's gun policies, with its controversial buyback program chief among gun owners' concerns.

"It's a gong show," is how Collins characterizes the whole thing.

Pierre Poilievre puts spotlight on Alberta riding ahead of federal byelection

Collins is a decades-long gun enthusia