Gun homicides more than quintupled in Canada from 2016 to 2017: rising from 45 deaths to 223. Gang violence also increased in the same period. As the Canadian Press reports, part of the Trudeau government’s response is to go after citizens who currently legally own guns “by allowing authorities to reassess license eligibility in a more timely fashion.”
That means Canadians could lose their gun licenses retroactively.
The plan was revealed as a part of an access to information request for the policy talking points for a May 2017 meeting between the federal government and the Canadian Firearms Advisory Committee.
Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale is hosting a summit on Wednesday that will hear opinions from police, academics, big city mayors and community groups.
But the government has already lined-up legislation that will make Canada’s already stringent gun control laws even tougher, introducing “enhanced background checks” for those seeking to purchase handguns or any of the other firearms that are categorized as “restricted” in Canada.
Background checks always assess mental health concerns, which can be gleaned from a host of medical professionals who are free to inform on their patients if doctors or social workers believe them to be mentally unstable or capable of violent behavior with a gun, as the access to information request also reveals.
Canadians have no constitutional right to bear arms and gun owners have no political action groups with the influence and impact of the National Rifle Association. Firearms associations have issued a positive if muted response to the government’s declared intent to tackle gun crime.
“We take minister Goodale at his word that he will take concrete action against violent criminals. If the minister’s course of action focuses on the drug war and those who perpetuate the violence it breeds, we wholeheartedly and unreservedly support him,” said the Canadian Shooting Sports Association.
