Originally Posted by
JGPinYYC
I can't get in to your store but was going to send paper/hard copy letters to Trudeau; Blair; Yurdiga (Fort McMurray-Cold lake); and Ron Liepert (Calgary Signal Hill (I sort of live in two ridings). Text is below. Can I still get entered? my surname will be in the letter)
Bill Blair
Member of Parliament
Scarborough Southwest
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6
December 23, 2019
Dear Bill;
This is a copy of a letter I sent to Prime Minister Trudeau.
I have followed with some alarm the discussions surrounding the further restrictions, and possibly outright bans, of some classes of firearms. This is concerning and, ultimately, misguided in that it will not solve any problems with gun-related crime.
The vast majority of guns used in crimes in Canada are illegally imported from the United States and are often used by gang members among others. This is backed up by the Chief of Police in Toronto, as well as data from other jurisdictions. There is no justification, other than short-term political gain, for penalizing thousands of law-abiding Canadian citizens, running up massive costs, putting thousands of people out of work, and shutting down many small businesses. The proposed changes simply won’t make a difference in any crime rates.
There is a large community of firearms owners and enthusiasts in Canada, the overwhelming majority of whom are law abiding citizens and who scrupulously follow the laws for firearms acquisition, storage, and use. As well, and as alluded to above, this community supports the employment of many people who in turn staff many small businesses in retail, manufacturing, range ownership, and other related industries. Arbitrarily and capriciously putting many of these people on the wrong side of the law, or out of work, for no good reason whatsoever, simply doesn’t make sense.
There is an opportunity to show real leadership and insight here by approaching this problem pragmatically and realistically. A knee jerk response, while satisfying in the short term, ultimately will be shown to be ineffective and will actually hurt the economy and people’s very lives and livelihoods. That shouldn’t happen on a whim or to try and send a message. The stakes are too high.
I would propose that at this point an honest discussion be held using data relating to gun crimes and a solution be based on that. The information clearly shows that legally purchased guns are not the problem. As stated above the vast majority of gun crime in this country is committed using guns obtained in the US and illegally smuggled across the border. The most effective way to combat gun crime is to address that issue. As well, gang violence needs to be addressed, as these gangs typically have the means, motive, and infrastructure to bring these guns in.
I’m sure politically it’s easier to punish law abiding Canadian citizens than it is to dig into, and control, the issue of illegally imported guns. However, it is highly unfair to put Canadians on the wrong side of the law and to destroy their livelihoods simply to pander to one demographic for purely political purposes.
I strongly urge a measured, pragmatic, and effective solution to the issue of gun crime, and not a capricious and ineffective political statement that will destroy businesses, create unemployment, put law abiding people on the wrong side of the law, overwhelm already stretched police resources, and still not solve the problem.
Sincerely,
Jim P******, P. Eng.
Posting Permissions
