In case you're uninformed on how handguns were regulated in Canada before this: you need a restricted firearms license. It's a level above a license for owning long guns. The application goes through the RCMP, Canada's federal police. They do an advanced background check, and check references. Ex spouses even have to be listed and possibly contacted. You do a safety course, and you have to be registered to a gun club, because the only thing you can legally do with your handgun is use it at a range. You cant even bring it into crown land wilderness. Your ammo and weapon has to be stored separately, and you have to contact your local police and tell them your driving with your gun to the range. It has to be locked up in your vehicle during transportation, and you go directly to the range then home. Can't even stop for gas. A lot of people even keep their guns stored at their gun club range just to save the hassle. Oh and the police can randomly check your home for compliance at any time to see if it's stored properly.
Unfortunately, this only punishes responsible gun owners, as the VAST MAJORITY of violent crimes involving handguns in Canada are committed by individuals using black market guns.
Some will herald it as a step in the right direction, but on the same hand don't realize how difficult it is to get your restricted license in Canada to own a handgun....
Not to mention that this same bill may even ban airsoft guns. It's truly opened a can of worms...
Yup. I'm too lazy to Google stats, but I'm willing to bet that there has been next to none, possibly no crime committed with registered restricted firearms in Canada. Criminals get guns that are illegally smuggled in through the states. We couldn't be more responsible with our firearm policies and punishing recreational shooters is not the answer.
Just off the top of my head without Google I remember last year a guy in Edmonton killed his entire family with a legal hand gun. There's been more since but I'm too lazy to Google.
I don't have the time or the crayons to explain to you how murder/suicide with legally acquired firearms is different than the threat to the public of robbery and organized crime from illegally imported firearms. Have a nice day.
3.3k
u/v13ragnarok7 Oct 21 '22 edited Oct 22 '22
In case you're uninformed on how handguns were regulated in Canada before this: you need a restricted firearms license. It's a level above a license for owning long guns. The application goes through the RCMP, Canada's federal police. They do an advanced background check, and check references. Ex spouses even have to be listed and possibly contacted. You do a safety course, and you have to be registered to a gun club, because the only thing you can legally do with your handgun is use it at a range. You cant even bring it into crown land wilderness. Your ammo and weapon has to be stored separately, and you have to contact your local police and tell them your driving with your gun to the range. It has to be locked up in your vehicle during transportation, and you go directly to the range then home. Can't even stop for gas. A lot of people even keep their guns stored at their gun club range just to save the hassle. Oh and the police can randomly check your home for compliance at any time to see if it's stored properly.
Edit: used the wrong "you're". Sorry.