The Province is taking steps to ensure the rights of gun owners in Alberta, that it says are under attack by Ottawa, are preserved.

Premier Jason Kenney says their first step is to appoint a committee.

"First we are creating an Alberta Firearms Advisory Committee, to advise the provincial government on firearms policies under our provincial jurisdiction," the Premier says. "The committee's 12 members will include three MLAs, as well as retired law enforcement officers, hunters, sportsmen and sportswomen, collectors and a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces."

He says the Calgary police have a firearms testing facility and the Edmonton police are building one, but rural centres are sending firearms to be tested at the RCMP testing facility's causing delays of up to eight months.

That's leading to some accused being released because it takes too long to get to trial.

Kenney says under a new agreement they'll be able to send them to Calgary and eventually Edmonton speeding up the process.

He says the federal government's proposed bans on some weapons is an overreach.

"Canada does have strong gun control measures, measures that we support, including licensing and background checks," he says. "Licensed firearms owners are actually subject to an automatic criminal background check every single day. Restricted firearms are tightly regulated including how they are stored, transported and safely used."

The government wants the federal Liberals to concentrate their efforts on criminals who use the weapons and those who smuggle them into Canada.

"The vast majority of this is coming from illegal guns being brought in to our country from the United States, about 80 per cent of the guns are brought in from the United States that are found in crimes," says Doug Schweitzer, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General. "That's where the focus should be, targeting organized crime to make sure that people are safe in their communities."

The Alberta Firearms Advisory Committee will be chaired by Michaela Glasgo, MLA for Brooks-Medicine Hat.