The Liberals are accusing the Conservatives of allowing long gun owners to circumvent Canada's gun registry laws.

They say the Tories are using "back door tactics" to again extend an amnesty for long guns.

"This government's latest extension of the gun amnesty is killing gun control in this country by stealth," said Liberal Public Safety Critic Ujjal Dosanjh.

Last November, the government reintroduced a bill to kill the controversial registry for rifles and shotguns.

The Liberals say the Conservatives are unwilling to debate the issue in the Commons and have instead submitted the latest proposed regulations in the Canada Gazette, the official newspaper of the Canadian government.

"Instead of putting the future of gun control to an honest vote in the House of Commons, they are achieving the same ends through back door tactics like sweeping amnesties and funding cuts."

The measure would push back an amnesty originally issued in 2006. An extension set to end later this spring could now be in effect until May 16, 2009.

An amending order listed in the Gazette states that during that period a communications strategy would be used to clarify "any confusion among firearms owners regarding their legal obligations ... Concurrent messaging would clearly outline the criteria which firearms owners must meet, both before and after May 2009, in order to comply with the Firearms Act, and the consequences for failing to do so."

The Liberals accuse the Conservatives of hurting legitimate firearms owners.

"The secrecy and lack of clarity surrounding the government's true agenda has led over 100,000 gun owners to allow their licenses to expire. Legitimate owners deserve honesty and clarity from this government," Dosanjh said.