Support ban on handguns, Toronto mayor urges

[CHIMO]

Support ban on handguns, Toronto mayor urges
Last Updated Fri, 30 Dec 2005 18:32:42 EST
CBC News



Support ban on handguns, Toronto mayor urges
Last Updated Fri, 30 Dec 2005 18:32:42 EST
CBC News

Toronto's mayor came out swinging at opponents of gun control in his first news conference since the Boxing Day shootout that took the life of a teenaged bystander and wounded six others.

David Miller, who came back from a vacation in Spain on Thursday evening, told a Friday news conference at City Hall any federal party "that doesn't include gun control in its platform isn't addressing the issues in Toronto."

A strong supporter of Paul Martin's proposed virtual ban on handguns, Miller said be believes Jack Layton's NDP platform does include gun-control measures, but Conservative Leader Stephen Harper's does not.

"One of the things should be asking is 'Do you support banning guns?' And, 'Are you going to invest in young people in Toronto's poor neighbourhoods so the next generation will have a real chance?' This is so three to five years from now we are not asking the same questions."

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/12/30/mayor_shootings051230.html

[tuvor]

1. Isn't it a matter of enforcement?

I thought handguns were banned in Canada, practically speaking.

[Kagemusha]

3. There's only two ways to own one, collecting or target shooting

They're claiming collectors are just sitting ducks for theft but.. they're the ones who went through ridiculous hoops when the laws were tightened decade after decade and now they will have to become "target shooters" or will be eliminated altogether. But yeah, isn't the real problem smuggling from the US?

Now, Martin's plan includes cutting down on smuggling. But changing the laws further is really scraping the bottom of the barrel and is easily the weakest part of the plan.

[Canuckistanian]

4. I expressed that very thought a few weeks back

Apparently there are a lot of "collectors" and "sport shooters" buying up handguns like crazy.

AND they're getting stolen regularly and ending up in the black market.

So the handgun ban is looking good now.

[CHIMO]

7. Hadn't Heard About

The ban. See the police still have them. Although the "rent a cops" don't have them yet.

Wonder why the "real hunters" aren't up-in-arms though.

Q. Do the licensing and registration requirements apply to bows?

Crossbows that can be aimed and fired with one hand and crossbows with an overall length of 500 mm (about 19.68 inches) or less are prohibited. You cannot lawfully possess or acquire a prohibited crossbow.

You do not need a valid licence or registration certificate to possess any other type of bow, including a crossbow that is longer than 500 mm and that requires the use of both hands. Criminal Code provisions making it an offence to acquire a crossbow without a valid licence were never brought into force.

If you plan to use a bow to hunt, please check provincial hunting regulations for information on hunting licence requirements and restrictions that may apply to the use of bows. For example, some provinces do not allow crossbows for hunting.

http://www.cfc-ccaf.gc.ca/faq/default_e.asp#a4a

[tuvor]

12. What do "real hunters" have to do with handguns?

They generally use rifles.

[CHIMO]

13. Guess

It depends on who they are hunting.

I have known hunters that only wanted to use a bow and arrow. But I guess that handguns aren't useful for survival in that type of an environment.

[currents]

2. What an idiot

This guy is a fool

[Canuckistanian]

8. What you've got to realize is..

Handguns have NEVER been a part of our culture. They've always been seen as a killer of human beings, which is what they're explicitly designed for.

Most Candians have never even SEEN a handgun (except covered in the holster of a policeman), so the idea of regular citizens with handguns is abhorrent to most of us.

Also, we like to pride ourselves that we don't need such killing machines as a necessary evil.

And we have no equivalent of the Second Amendment. Our psyche doesn't include arming ourselves against tyrants. We had the British Crown, of which we were a part and in whom we trusted to keep peace. And in the Crown's infinite wisdom, they decided that handguns were a problem that could get out of hand quickly, as they have in that other country to the south of us.

So, no, "this guy" is not a fool. In fact, he represents the majority opinion.

[NaturalHigh]

5. Great idea.

Make sure nobody has a handgun except for the criminal who couldn't care less about gun laws.

[billbuckhead]

6. Canada has the opportunity to be the most "advanced" nation

Legalize gay marriage and marijuana and ban handguns. One one good thing no matter what the outcome, everyone will know who the freepers are. They'll come out of their closets over guns and swear to everyone they're more freedom loving than you are. Imagine thousands of Tom DeLay's coming out and saying Al Gore hates freedom and should be hung. That's what Canada's in for in the next few weeks. This is how these thugs campaign, I just hope Canadians have more nads than our own American Democratic party of which many are afraid to stand up to these brownshirts. It's hilarious how these fascists say everyone else is trying to emulate Hitler while they wear a long sleeve shirt to cover up their swastika tattoos. Get ready Canada, you're about to experience one of the worst things America has to offer, the NRA in campaign mode.

[MrPrax]

9. It's Incompetence...

Martin's gun control (old and new) have been a disaster and miss the point completely...and isn't popular in most of the country.

The Toronto shootings are a result of a series of failures involving three levels of gov't (including Dan Miller) and law enforcement: it's incompetence all round and

Let's note that there is a minor gang war in Vancouver as well and no one is suggesting that it's due to the inadequacies of the current gun control prohibitions.

It ain't broke, don't fix it.

[CHIMO]

10. Agree

It's called "Common Sense ..."

[Canuckistanian]

11. In the first place, it's not "Martin's" gun control law

It was passed into law during his predecessor's government, that of Jean Chrétien.

And despite what many think of it, most have objected to the cost, not the concept of gun registration.

And I don't understand the objection to regulation. Fer chrissake, LAWN PESTCIDE APPLICATIONS require a licence, as do purchasers of explosives, fireworks displays and chemical storage facilities. We even require owners of motor vehicles to register themselves.

In all activities that involve danger to human life, we require registration.

Why in Hell should gun owners be excluded?

/end rant

[billbuckhead]

14. They have to have their unregistered guns ready to hunt liberals

[GOPFighter]

17. Why should gun owners be excluded?

In Canada and Europe, you have balls. We have guns. Really. After working for mild gun control laws in the US for almost 40 years, I've come to the conclusion that many American men would rather be castrated than to be deprived of their gun.

[HEyHEY]

16. Yeah, I was listening to the radio today

Friggin news anchor announced there were three shootings last night as if she was talking about fender benders. Coquitlam, Surrey and Delta... the first is a little too close for comfort.

[HEyHEY]

15. Since Martin announced his little plan handgun sales have spiked

IN my area, people are starting to hoard them... great plan Martin. Why to get guns off the streets.