OTTAWA -- The government has shot down gun show regulations that have been on hold for more than a decade and were seen as redundant and cumbersome by many.

"Allowing redundant regulations to come into force would only introduce an unneccessary burden on law-abiding citizens," Candice Hoeppner, parliamentary secretary to Public Safety Minister Vic Toews, said in a press release.

First introduced in 1998 under the Firearms Act, the regulations have been deferred by both Liberal and Conservative governments, who have said further study and stakeholder consultation was needed. The regulations would have forced the sponsors of gun shows to ensure the safety of all exhibitions.

"The sport shooting community is very pleased by the Harper government's repeal of the unnecessary regulations on Canadian gun shows,' Tony Bernardo, executive director of the Canadian Institute for Legislative Action and spokesman for the Canadian Shooting Sports Association, said in a release. "These rules were never imposed because they were never needed."

Olympic gold medallist Linda Thom said Canadians would be well advised to remember that firearms are not always used malevolently.

"Many people forget that sport shooting has been with us since the inception of the modern Olympics. Firearm shows are a lifeline for our sport."