Dec 08 2005
No more handguns, they’re evil.
Sometimes the stupidity is so blatant it makes me weep.
Today Paul Martin announced that the Federal Liberal party was committed to banning handguns in Canada in order to reduce crime. Proposed changes to the criminal code would give the provinces and territories the power to prohibit handguns within their borders. This is merely one facet of their program, which will undoubtedly result in an instant end to gun violence. Except for those pesky criminal types.
“We do not accept the threat these weapons pose to Canadians,� said the Prime Minister. “To make our communities safer we should ban handguns outright.�
Source: Liberal Party of Canada: Press Release
Uh huh. After all it’s successfully reduced firearms related crime in the UK, right? WRONG.
This plan would include federal legislation that would enable provinces and territories to legally prohibit handguns within their borders. It would toughen penalties for gun crimes, help eliminate the supply of illegal handguns, and increase protection for communities across the country.
Source: Liberal Party of Canada: Press Release
One wonders why they are going this route when they have the capability to legislate these firearms out of existence. Someone more in touch with the political landscape want to explain this to me?
Legitimate target shooters who meet requirements would be eligible for an exemption to the handgun ban, which would be established in partnership with the provinces and territories.
Source: Liberal Party of Canada: Press Release
Oh man, I trust the government to effectively implement this part of the program. They’ve shown such good judgement in the past.
[As an aside, I’d like to ask my loyal readers to sound off about any local reaction to this announcement - I’m genuinely curious how it was received outside Toronto]
You spelled Kanada wrong.
What is a legitimate target shooter?
Another 650 million down the drain that could go to more policing to stop the real criminals. Hey, gun control worked for the Canadian Military under this government. Hell with guns, give ‘em hockey sticks. Your UK related comment is right on the money. British criminals still have guns on the streets.
We need to get tougher on gun crimes not ban firearms from law abiding citizens!
I think that the best possible return volley on this would be “Mr.Martin, now that handguns are banned, I assume that you’ll remove the bullet resistant vests and sidearms that the police routinely carry? I mean, with all of the guns gone, there really isn’t a need to have them sweating all summer long in those vests or have to carry those dangerous, murdering handguns, right?”
As for reactions outside of Toronto, the front page of the Vancouver Sun said “BC demands details on handgun ban” and “We have to be careful that we’re focusing on the right things”-Campbell says. It sounds like BC’s government is pretty much on the ball: You can pass whatever laws you like, but we won’t spend a dime to enforce your political nightmare.
Yep, it appears (at least from my reading) that Ontario is behind this, the rest of the provinces seem either against (Klein) or apathetic as to the entire endeavor.
Good election ploy so far…
Everyone I’ve talked to about this has either say something like
“…Great, so now my government is going to turn me into a criminal, thus making my neighboors safer.”
or something to teh effect of
“Guns are evil! Only americans have guns, and america is a land of devils and nazis and rednecks!”
By the way, I hope you don’t mind me commenting on severely old news.
Nope, don’t mind the comments on old posts at all.
-GRIN-
Comment away…