Canadian gun laws:
We have a long gun registry. This includes the owner of the firearm, and the address of where the firearm is stored. The registry includes non-restricted rifles (your basic hunting rifles / shot guns), restricted firearms (this includes hand guns, and other rifles deemed too scary to be carried anywhere but a gun range), and prohibited firearms (the lucky few that still CAN legally own them - these are the rest of the scary guns
).
We get a license so that we pay purchase firearms and ammunition.
We are required to store the firearms and ammo properly as defined by our criminal code.
We are required to renew our license every few years, and must provide detailed history on spouses / ex-spouses.
What does this legislation prevent?
Likely nothing, really.
The lions share - and I mean a horribly lob sided share of crimes committed with firearms in this Country are committed with unregistered firearms. Most of these firearms are smuggled in from the united states, or other countries. Or they are stolen from individuals who have taken the time to register their firearms with their full names and address of the firearm.
A lot of the gun crime happens in our big city centers, such as Toronto. You will have young males, belonging to one side of a gang, killing other young males, from the other side of the gang. Innocent bystanders can end up victims too.
The knee-jerk solution is often heard: Ban guns! Ban all guns!
The person who is actually using their mind will read between the lines:
These crimes aren't happening with registered firearms. They aren't being committed by the average Canadian. Banning firearms will only punish a large group of LAW abiding citizens, and further take away any rights you have to bear any sort of arms legally.
The solution? In my HUMBLE opinion:
Make criminals accountable: Life is about choices. No, we aren't all dealt the same cards - but what we do with the cards dealt make us who we are. If you choose to live by the gun, that is, in the end, your choice. Also - scrap the young offenders act. It's a loop hole that's being played again and again. The point? I don't care about the sob story that brought you to the life of crime you now live, and nor should the....
Judges: Make Judges accountable. How many times do we have to be revolted by the Judges flimsy punishment, based on some sob story (re: make criminals accountable)? Judges should have ZERO discretion on punishment. IF a Judge decides a more gentle punishment is in order, then the Judge should lose his or her job IF that criminal re-offends while on modified punishment. How many Judges will continue to let criminals walk the streets if THEIR jobs are on the line? If THEY are held accountable for their decisions? I realize that a judge must be impartial, and that is the core of our justice system - but when someone is guilty - they are guilty. A certain crime gets a minimum time. Period. You use an unregistered firearm in the commission of an offense? LIFE IN...
Prison: Build more if we need to. Build more jails if need be.
