Agree with everything Bob had to say. In Canada this is mostly an urban
versus rural debate and sadly rural seldom wins as Liberal politicians are
dependent on urban areas to win elections. I carried a handgun for many
years in the RCMP and also was a first class marksman in PPCLI reserves so
have fired virtually every class of weapon in Canada. I also own a shot gun
(was used for bird hunting) and a 30/30 rifle (long gun) for being in back
country although never deer hunted.
Canada's gun ownership, storage, transport and carry regulations are
reasonable and make common sense although a little bit of tweaking might
become useful when it comes to fully automated weapons. I struggle to
understand why anyone "needs" to own a weapon capable of firing so many
arounds a minute - makes no sense to me. Regulations need to focus on
weapon characteristics as opposed to naming specific weapons.
Legally owned handguns are generally NOT a problem in Canada - some are used
in male suicides but very few used in crimes. Legal hand gun and long gun
owners should not be penalized to curry favor and win elections in urban
areas. This is a political decision and not a decision based on history and
statistics. The source of "illegal" guns is generally smuggling
(particularly from the US) and not theft of legally owned handguns.
Penalties need to focus on and be increased for possession of a gun during
the commission of a crime and also for those cases related to caches of guns
and possession of illegal weapons.
The process for legally acquiring, possessing, storing and transporting a
legal firearm is more than adequate.
jim
From: dsp-ea-general-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<dsp-ea-general-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of Bob Thomlinson
Sent: May 18, 2022 7:53 AM
To: dsp-ea-general@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: discussion topic- Gun registry
Wynn,
Interesting topic. This news article from the May 2, 2022 edition of the
National Post pretty much sums up my confusion about what the government
hopes to accomplish when even police chiefs are not pointing fingers at
legally obtained firearms as the problem. See:
https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/first-reading-another-liberal-gun-polic
y-that-neatly-ignores-where-the-guns-come-from.
I have never held either an older Firearms Acquisition Certificate or the
newer Possession and Acquisition License (PAL). I have never owned a firearm
- unless you count a pellet rifle and pistol that I used to use for varmint
control on our property. However, both our kids are hunters and have
legally acquired firearms. They have taken all the training, obtained
permits, and have secure storage and transportation facilities. Our son,
Mike, is also a well site geologist and holds a pistol carry permit for bear
control and protection in remote locations. Although he is legal, not all
energy companies that employ Mike will allow crew members to have firearms
onsite. I retired from EnCana, which is one of the energy companies that
banned firearms on well sites only to have a well site worker killed by a
bear on a location. Some companies have changed their policies to provide
for better protection, some have not.
I believe that Canada has a very thorough and stringent set of regulations,
including training requirements, for controlling the legal purchase and use
of firearms. I don't see how the proposed Bill C-5 is going to improve the
situation if the problems are coming from smuggled weapons used in criminal
activity. I REALLY don't see how reducing the minimum penalties for
smuggling and illegal use of firearms is helpful to our society or
effectively addresses "systemic racism in Canada's criminal justice system"
by reducing the "overincarceration rate of Indigenous peoples" as well as
for other "marginalized Canadians", as the National Post article claims is
the government's intent.
My thoughts on the matter,
Bob T
From: dsp-ea-general-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:dsp-ea-general-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<dsp-ea-general-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:dsp-ea-general-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> > On Behalf Of
dsp.ea.large.messages@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:dsp.ea.large.messages@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: May 16, 2022 11:25 PM
To: DSP-EA-General@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:DSP-EA-General@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: FW: discussion topic- Gun registry
From: Wynn Payne <wynn.payne@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:wynn.payne@xxxxxxxxx> >
Sent: May 16, 2022 11:22 PM
To: DSP.EA.Large.Messages@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:DSP.EA.Large.Messages@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: discussion topic- Gun registry
Hi Guys
I tried a topic about the Ukrainian war but had little input so trying a new
topic.
Please comment on Treaudu's new legislation to re-establish the long gun
registry.
I think this is wrong.
This was tried and failed about 10 years ago while costing millions of
dollars.
Gun crimes are up but it is not crimes committed by legal rifle owners.
Crimes committed by criminals are most often committed with illegal
handguns.
There are significant laws now for legitimate ownerships and use of
handguns. The new legislation won't add to this.
I would love to hear some opinions on this.
Please be respectful as this topic has a chance of being more controversial
than previous ones.
Thanks
Wynn
