Gun registry saved?

OTTAWA - A New Democrat and a new poll are providing new ammunition to those trying to save the embattled long-gun registry.

Sudbury New Democrat M-P Glenn Thibeault says he's withdrawing his support for a Conservative private member's bill to dismantle the registry.

He and 11 N-D-P colleagues had previously backed the bill to help ensure its survival in the minority Parliament.

Thibeault's about-face comes as a Canadian Press Harris-Decima poll suggests support for the registry is rising.

Forty-eight per cent of respondents said keep the registry -- up from 42 per cent in April, while 38 per cent said scrap it -- down from 45 per cent in April.

Police chiefs have endorsed the registry, and the R-C-M-P recently concluded that it does save lives.

M-Ps are to vote on September 22nd on a Liberal motion to quash the Tory bill for good.

The Tories, Liberals and N-D-P all believe they stand to win or lose popularity over this  issue.

The registry is a lot more popular with voters in urban areas than it is with those in rural areas.