Liberal Leader Paul Martin is proposing a sweeping ban on handguns to combat growing gun-related violence in Canada's cities.
"Handguns kill people -- that's why they exist, and they're taking too many Canadian lives," said Martin during his "safer communities announcement" at a school near Toronto's violence-plagued Jane and Finch area this morning.
Details of the Liberal proposal include:
and more here:
In a statement yesterday, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters criticized the Liberals for trying "once again to stop crime on the backs of legal, law-abiding firearms owners."
Martin, however, was certain his anti-crime plan will make a positive difference.
"This strategy will get handguns off our streets, will toughen penalties for those who are convicted of gun crimes, and will choke off the supply of illegal weapons," Martin said.
http://www.lufa.ca/news/news_item.asp?NewsID=5498
"Handguns kill people -- that's why they exist, and they're taking too many Canadian lives," said Martin during his "safer communities announcement" at a school near Toronto's violence-plagued Jane and Finch area this morning.
Details of the Liberal proposal include:
- a new 250 officer unit from the RCMP dedicated solely to fighting gun-related crimes, as well as other organized crime and drug trafficking;
- 75 new officers at Canada Border Services to combat illegal importation of handguns from the U.S.;
- tougher sentences for gun-related crimes, by changing the Criminal Code to double the mandatory minimum sentences for such crimes;
- encouraging community-based gun prevention, with help from a $50-million Gun Violence and Gang Prevention Fund to focus on youth at risk;
- waving the re-registration fees for owners of long guns in order to encourage compliance with the Canada Firearms Program; and
- a gun amnesty and buy-back program that draws from an Australian model, including a gun stoppers initiative aimed at ensuring the turn-in of illegal weapons.
and more here:
In a statement yesterday, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters criticized the Liberals for trying "once again to stop crime on the backs of legal, law-abiding firearms owners."
Martin, however, was certain his anti-crime plan will make a positive difference.
"This strategy will get handguns off our streets, will toughen penalties for those who are convicted of gun crimes, and will choke off the supply of illegal weapons," Martin said.
http://www.lufa.ca/news/news_item.asp?NewsID=5498