Should more be done to limit access to handguns?
Yes
No
No opinion
If yes, what should be considered?
The process to acquire a restricted firearm in Canada is quite thoroughly vetting as it is.
The US Department of Justice has used the following description: in general, assault weapons are semiautomatic firearms with a large magazine of ammunition that were designed and configured for rapid fire. Footnote1
Should more be done to limit access to assault weapons?
Yes
No
No opinion
If yes, what should be considered?
First of all, this is Canada, what is the Canadian definition of an assault weapon?
Secondly, our magazines are already limited to 5 rounds, thereby negating "high capacity".
Finally, rapid fire refers to an automatic rifle, which are prohibited in Canada already.
Where should we focus efforts to limit handguns?
Legally-owned handguns
Illicit handguns
Both legally-owned handguns and illicit handguns
Neither legally-owned handguns nor illicit handguns
No opinion
What is likely to be the most effective? What might the consequences be for law abiding Canadians?
The solution here is to stop the illegal importation and sales of any weapon through increased policing and border inspections.
Restricting access to firearms for law abiding firearms owners will not reduce firearms crimes at all but will negatively affect many businesses built on or around sport shooting.
Where do you believe efforts to limit assault weapons should be focused?
Legally-owned firearms
Illicit firearms
Both legally-owned firearms and illicit firearms
Neither legally-owned firearms nor illicit firearms
No opinion
What is likely to be the most effective? What might the consequences be for law abiding Canadians?
Again, in Canada, assault weapons are already prohibited and thereby do not apply to this forum.
That being said:
The solution here is to stop the illegal importation and sales of any weapon through increased policing and border inspections.
Restricting access to firearms for law abiding firearms owners will not reduce firearms crimes at all but will negatively affect many businesses built on or around sport shooting.
With respect to limiting handguns, assault weapons, and other firearms in the illicit market, in which of the following areas do you think efforts should be focused? [check all that apply]
Theft from businesses and individuals
Straw purchasing (i.e., a legal purchase that is then diverted to the illicit market)
Smuggling
None of these no efforts are required
No opinion
Other [Please indicate below]
Other
What strategies are likely to be most effective?
An increase in border inspectors to more thoroughly inspect incoming shipments for illicit firearms.
An increase in police officers to more thoroughly investigate reported firearms thefts.
Are there any other comments you would like to share with respect to limiting firearms?
The limiting of firearms will only affect law abiding firearms owners and will in no way limit the number of illicit firearms as criminals do not respect our laws and obtain their firearms through other means.
The punishment for having an illicit firearm or committing a crime with an illicit firearm should be expanded and increased to make the idea of having an illicit firearm completely unappealing.