Well we are all fighting hard. Letters to the editor, etc.
Read this! Here is the policy on one Occupier's website. Of course it addressed nothing, and means nothing, except for a UN-based disarmament movement. Note the last entry. That is code word for "Doorkickers."
Important Information on Hand Gun Policy
Handgun Q & A
Crime Control
Q: What will this do to address gun crime?
We have unveiled a comprehensive approach that has elements that specifically focuses on criminals and increase police resources where they are most needed to address gun crime. This program will include a national GunStoppers program (based on the successful Crime Stoppers program) to provide financial rewards for information leading to getting an illegal gun off the street.
Q: What are the rates of crime involving handguns versus other firearms?. Are handguns really where we should be focusing our efforts?
A: Since 2001, handguns have consistently accounted for about two-thirds of all firearm-related homicides in Canada. Last year was no exception, as 65 per cent of firearm homicides were committed with a handgun.
In an open letter from the Canadian Safety Council to the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, noted: Problems associated with easy access to firearms have been well documented and argued by experts. There is general consensus among police, public health and safety experts that access to guns is a major factor in gun related crime, accidents and suicides and that gun control will save lives and prevent injuries. Gun amnesty programs have been successful in many communities in reducing the number of firearms in the hands of citizens.
Q: How many handguns are there in Canada?
A: There are 183,000 licensed handgun owners in Canada with approximately 550,000 hand guns in Canada.
Handguns currently fall under two regulated classes in Canada:
Restricted - there are currently 397,000 registered restricted firearms in Canada, most of this class being handguns.
Prohibited - there are currently 166,000 registered prohibited handguns in Canada.
In addition there are a sizable number of illegal or smuggled handguns in Canada for which it is difficult to ascertain an exact count.
Q: How many do you pick up at the border each year? Do you have any idea how many are being smuggled in?
While it is difficult to estimate the number of smuggled firearms, the pattern is confirmed each year through intelligence, investigation and enforcement seizures. In some regions of Canada - (especially BC, Ontario and Quebec) a significant portion of guns recovered at crime scenes originate in the U.S.
While many U.S. guns do get into Canada, between 2000 and 2004 some 5,446 firearms were seized at the border by the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA). Over 1,700 were seized at crossings in Ontario.
Q: What has the existing firearms registry achieved?
A: 15,965firearms licences have been refused or revoked by Chief Firearms Officers for public safety reasons between December 1, 1998 and September 30, 2005.
6,119 applications have been refused
9,846 firearms licences have been revoked.
Reasons why firearms licence applications have been refused or licences revoked include: a history of violence, mental illness, the applicant is a potential risk to himself, herself or others, unsafe firearm use and storage, drug offences and providing false information.
1,029,700 firearms have been exported, destroyed, deactivated or have been removed from the Canadian Firearms Information System since December 1, 1998. This helps to ensure a complete and current record of firearms within Canada.
Law enforcement officers have queried the Canadian Firearms registry over 4.6 million times since it was launched on December 1, 1998. Over the last quarter, the registry was queried more than 5,000 times per day. Since 2002, the Canada firearms centre has provided more than 5,500 affidavits for the prosecution of firearms crimes in court proceedings.
Costs
Q: How much has the firearms program cost?The opposition claims it is $2 billion?
A: There is no such thing as a $2 billion figure. Total expenditures from the inception of the program to the end of the 2004-2005 fiscal year are forecasted to be $1.045 billion before revenues.
The costs of the Canada Firearms Centre for 2005-06 are projected to be $82.3 million. Of that amount, firearm registration activities will cost approximately $15 million this year, well within the cap of $25 million.
Furthermore, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police repeatedly called on the federal government to resist the attacks on Canada's gun control system, which is proving to be a vital tool in combating crime.
Q: How much will the refunds cost?
A:First of all it is important to note that until this new program is up and running, gun owners must make sure to renew their licenses at the current fee levels before they expire. Failure to do so means that, among other things, gun owners will have to pay to redo the Firearms Safety Course before they can apply to be relicensed.
We estimate that the cost of refunds will total approximately $15 million.
Q: Who will get refunds?
A: Anyone who paid the $60 renewal fee for their license.
Q: Do I still have to pay my $60 license fee now?
Yes, we expect all gun owners to comply with the existing law. The refund will only apply to re-licensing.
Q: How much will a buyback cost?
A: The Government of Canada will set aside $30 million per year over 5 years for its buyback and amnesty program as well as the GunStoppers tips line. Not only will money be used to compensate current owners, programs that facilitate and encourage the turning in of handguns will be funded.
Q: For your amnesty program, will you set the cost per gun or will that be done locally? How much money is being put aside for this? How much success have these kinds of programs had in the past?
We are setting aside up to $30 million per year over 5 years for the mandatory handgun buyback, the amnesty program and GunStoppers program.
The cost per gun for the amnesty program will be set in consultation with local police.
The cost per gun for the mandatory buy back will be set in consultation with various experts and will include consideration or the fair market value of the handguns being bought back.
Amnesty programs have been held periodically in various jurisdictions. Some have included compensation but most have had none. We are hopeful that a compensated amnesty will increase the number of guns being turned in.
Provincial Role
Q: How much flexibility will the provinces have in implementing and enforcing this ban? Will the ban be enforced uniformly across the province?
A: These details will be worked out in consultation with the province and territories, but the government envisions that ban will apply to all areas of a province that opts into this public safety measure.
Q: Will you go ahead even if you only get a few provinces opting in?
A: Yes.
Aboriginals
Q: What about aboriginals? Are there any special provisions for them?
A: Existing exemptions concerning aboriginals under the firearms act will apply.
Sport Shooters and Collectors
Q: Would a handgun ban affect sporting competitions? What would we do if Canada ever won the Summer Olympics again?
A: There are 183,000 licensed handgun owners in Canada. Generally, these owners are collectors or target shooters.
Special measures will be built into the law to ensure that Canadian participants in major multi-disciplinary sporting competitions (such as the Olympic Games, and Commonwealth Games) can legally own their handgun and also allow for shooting competitions in Canada.
The Canadian Firearms Act already has specific rules in place for sport shooting. In Canada, individuals who wish to own or operate a firearm are required to acquire a nationally regulated firearm Possession and Acquisitions Licence (PAL).
In addition, shooting ranges must obtain approval from the Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) of the province or territory where they are located unless they are on the premises of a licensed firearms business and are used only by licensed owners and employees of that business; or they are only used by public officers, such as police officers, in relation to their lawful employment duties.
Q: Will you allow collectors to keep their pistols and handguns if they are deactivated (have their firing pins removed)?
A. If collectors wish to permanently disable their pistols and handguns, they will be able to keep their collections.
Q: How much will you pay for collectors guns?
A: The Government of Canada will pay fair market value for those handgun owners who chose to pursue this route. Owners also have the option of permanently disabling their guns, selling them to those who are legally able to own handguns, or turn them in to their local police.
International Experience
Q:What has been the experience of other countries that have implemented a handgun ban?
A handgun ban has been in place in Great Britain since 1997. In the year ending March 31, 2005 provisional figures in Great Britain show that since the hand gun ban there has been a:
16 per cent reduction in the use of handguns
9 per cent reduction in robberies involving firearms
6 per cent reduction in serious injuries from firearms offences
Australias handgun ban was only completed one year ago it is too soon to draw any conclusions on its effectiveness.
The Canada Handgun Ban is a Canadian solution to a Canadian problem. Even if Canada has much in common with countries such as Australia and the Great Britain, particular circumstances are not the same everywhere. The root causes of gun crimes in Australia and Great Britain are not exactly the same as in Canada..
Rural Concerns
Q: Is this an expansion of the long gun registry?
A: No. This is a separate program to deal with handguns alone. This initiative in no way involves long guns.
Q: Will this ban have a negative impact on the number of hunters that come to Canada and support tourism, especially in remote rural locations?
A. Handguns are not designed for hunting. Longs guns are not being banned and the regulations that govern these activities will be maintained for Canadians and tourism activities.
Q: How will this affect people who licensed to carry handguns including security professionals, tree-planters and trappers?
A. Public officers, such as police officers, in relation to their lawful employment duties will be exempt from these new measures. Tree-planters and trappers will continue to benefit form the protection of life provisions.
Q: Since the government previously said you were not going to confiscate firearms, is this the first step towards confiscation of long-barrel guns?
A: The Government of Canada is not examining nor contemplating the banning or confiscation of long-barrel guns. The Government of Canada recognizes that the legitimate ownership and use of these types of guns exists and their importance in many rural professions. They have been a vital tool throughout the history of our country and will continue to be long into the future.
Social Causes
Q: Getting tough on crime is all well and good, but what about addressing the social causes that underlie our gun and gang problems?
A: The Government of Canadas commitment to policing is unquestionable. In a statement to the Justice Committee, the Commissioner of the RCMP indicated: It took the RCMP years to go from a zero budget to a $2 billion budget, but in the last six years our budget has gone from $2 billion to over $3 billion. I think that speaks to how much the government and society have supported our endeavours. We have received a lot of money.
The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police repeatedly called on the federal government to resist the attacks on Canada's gun control system, which is proving to be a vital tool in combating crime.
Additional Police Officers
Q: How soon will new officers be on the streets?
A: The 250 new officers will be ramped up over 5 years.
Q: How will the new police be allocated by province or by region?Who will decide where the police should go first if there are competing priorities?
A: In close consultation with the province or territory, municipality, the RCMP will determine the priorities for its Rapid Enforcement Teams. They will go to where they are most needed.
