OTTAWA — Emergency-room doctors, who deal with the bloody reality of gunshots, are urging MPs to keep the long-gun registry.

The Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians says it opposes a bid to kill the registry because it saves lives.

"As front-line physicians in emergency departments, we regularly witness the horrific injuries and deaths that result from firearms," said Dr. Carolyn Snider of the association's public affairs committee.

"Our membership has instructed CAEP to vigorously support efforts to reduce the tragic human toll associated with firearm misuse by opposing the repeal of the long-gun registry."

She said it's not a question of making criminals of law-abiding gun owners.

"We recognize the great majority of gun owners in Canada are responsible citizens. The long-gun registry is not about treating them as criminals; it is about protecting the vulnerable among us and we strongly urge members of Parliament to oppose Bill C-391."

The bill, brought in by Conservative MP Candice Hoeppner, passed second reading -- approval in principle -- last November. The 164-137 vote came after 12 New Democrats and eight Liberals from rural or northern ridings bucked their own parties and supported the bill.

A Commons committee reported back on the bill in June, recommending that it be left to die.

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff has ordered his MPs to toe the line when the legislation comes up for another vote expected next month, but the NDP is loath to tell MPs how to vote on a private member's bill. Even a handful of New Democrats could push the bill through.

The doctors are the latest in a parade of organizations, including the chiefs of police, to oppose abolition of the registry.

Snider said it's not just a crime issue. She said three-quarters of the firearm deaths in Canada in 2006 were suicides.

"Firearm suicides have decreased significantly since the Firearms Act was implemented," she said in an association news release.

She said a recent study showed a significant decline in firearm suicide rates among men in Quebec that was associated with the implementation of the Firearms Act.

"In addition to showing a decline in firearm suicides, this study demonstrated that the reduction did not result in people substituting other suicide methods. This is strong scientific evidence that supports the retention of the registry."

She also said the rifles and shotguns are used in almost three quarters of spousal homicides.

Snider said she and her colleagues see the toll from firearms in their workplaces.

"As front-line physicians in emergency departments, we regularly witness the horrific injuries and deaths that result from firearms. Our membership has instructed CAEP to vigorously support efforts to reduce the tragic human toll associated with firearm misuse by opposing the repeal of the long-gun registry."

Her members routinely deal with the registry, she said.

"We treat patients on a regular basis who are suicidal and who are victims of domestic assault. We know that a long gun in the home puts both types of patients at a significantly higher risk of being killed.

"Since many of these patients come to the hospital accompanied by police, we work with the police, who use the registry regularly to determine if the patient has a gun registered in the home. This knowledge, together with information as to whether the police then removed the firearm, helps us to assess the patient's safety plan and to ensure that these impulsive potential methods of injury or death are removed."