With gun violence continuing to plague many of Canada’s larger cities, the federal government has announced an initiative aimed at reversing the trend.
And while rural communities haven’t seen similar problems, finding ways to ensure that all communities, large and small, are protected from unlawful gun use is in everyone’s best interest.
Whether this latest effort will lead to fewer gun deaths and injuries remains to be seen. What is known is that Albertans and their fellow Canadians certainly don’t want the nation to become a place where gun violence is routine and commonplace.
The newly-announced initiative will see Bill Blair, the federal minister of border security and crime reduction, conduct a review of gun regulations to determine whether additional restrictions on firearm sales and possession would be helpful and productive.
“The concern that currently exists in places like Toronto, Surrey and other parts of Canada requires that we examine the issue and deal with it in a comprehensive way,” Blair reportedly said.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has instructed Blair to conduct an analysis of existing firearms legislation as part of the review.
“The prime minister has asked me to provide that focus for our government, to look at every aspect in every ministry so that we address all of the issues related to gun violence and that will enable us to take effective action in addressing it,” said Blair.
Blair will reportedly look at “any measure which will be effective” in combating gun violence. Those measures could include giving municipalities power to restrict handgun sales within their respective jurisdictions, he said.
“I think we all share a concern when those firearms get into the hands of violent criminals who are prepared to commit violent acts in our communities and we need to do everything we can to keep those guns out of their hands,” he said.
Stemming gun violence in Canada won’t be easy but it is worth the effort. As such this latest review initiative is welcome.
Dan Singleton is the Mountain View Gazette editor
