Search KamloopsBCNow
New legislation is being proposed that would see gun laws in Canada tightened.
Public Safety Canada announced today that due to the steady increase in gun violence in communities over the past five years, they are proposing new legislation to prioritize public safety.
Gun-related homicides, domestic and gender-based violence involving guns, criminal gang activity, and gun thefts are all up significantly.
“While Canada is one of the safest countries in the world, increased gun crime has caused too much violence and taken too many lives in communities of all kinds,” said Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety.
“It has tragically claimed innocent bystanders, children and police officers from coast to coast. With this legislation and our other measures, we are taking concrete steps to make our country less vulnerable to the scourge of gun violence, while being fair to responsible, law-abiding firearms owners and businesses.”
The #GoC introduced new firearms legislation that prioritizes public safety and effective police work, while respecting law-abiding firearms owners #FirearmsAct https://t.co/kc5tHbwc9H pic.twitter.com/XAy3tqqIhJ
— Public Safety Canada (@Safety_Canada) March 20, 2018
The new legislation proposes to standardize retailer records of inventory and sales that would be available to police on reasonable grounds, and to require transportation authorization when moving restricted or prohibited guns.
The legislation would restore a system where Parliament defines the classes but entrusts expertly in the RCMP to classify firearms without political influence.
THREAD: Today we’re taking action for common sense gun control, better background checks, and safer communities – while protecting the rights of law-abiding gun owners. pic.twitter.com/r6VSKrGmdX
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 20, 2018
The rules for taking handguns to gun shows, across the border or to unusual places will get tougher too. But the rules for transporting long guns will not change.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 20, 2018
Background checks for people wanting to purchase firearms would also be enhanced by eliminating the provision that focuses checks on the five years before the license application.
We’re also introducing stronger and more rigorous background checks on gun sales. And if you want to buy a gun, by law you’ll have to show a license at the point of purchase. Right now that’s not a requirement.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 20, 2018
The Government of Canada has promised that the new legislation does not include a federal long-gun registry.
According to Statistics Canada, there were 2,465 criminal violations involving firearms in 2016, an increase of 30% since 2013. There are more than 500 gun-related suicides each year, which are often young people.