1st post, been lurking and reading for awhile on the 2 other threads Wolverine started regarding this issue.
Personally I find the situation we’re in absolutely appalling. Our public servants have taken control of the media and are using it to subvert public opinion. They dance on the graves of victims such as those from Polytechnique, Quebec City, The Danforth etc. Lying through their teeth the whole time and failing to provide actual statistics on gun crime. It’s disgusting to say the least and anyone who is familiar with the subject matter can see their move to disarm the population has ulterior motives. Whether it’s simple vote-buying or something more sinister I don’t know. But based on this current government’s track record it reeks of authoritarianism to me. The fact they’re using an OIC with a minority government is extremely in-democratic and just adds fuel to the fire.
Some like to point out that “Canadians don’t have a right to bear arms” and I’m sorry to tell you that you couldn’t be further from the truth. Rights are intrinsic to human existence. Governments are not in the business of granting rights, only listing which rights they will do their best to not infringe upon (The Charter of rights and freedoms for example). Reasonable self defence is a human right. Having a militarized police force with APCs, Multicam, and “mILitArY sTylE asSaUlt wEaPOnS” and then preventing citizens from owning semi-automatics is extremely contrarian. The government should fear the people, not the other way around.
Here’s a “Coles notes” list of statistics and facts you can use when having civil discussions with your friends/family/co-workers/neighbours/MP (ideally your MP):
Cancer kills 80,000 Canadians/year
Diabetes and heart disease combined kill 60,000 Canadians/year
Medical Malpractice kills 30,000 Canadians/year (the last time the stats were released was 2014, still an outrageously large number)
Accidents kill 12,000 Canadians/year
Drunk Drivers kill 1500 Canadians/year
Firearms account for 250 murders/year in Canada. Of which, we can’t be sure how many came from south of the border, but it’s relatively safe to assume most criminals wouldn’t submit to a long application process and daily background check.
And the dreaded AR15 hasn’t actually ever been used in a murder in Canada. It unfortunately left a bystander paralyzed during a botched mob hit in 2004, but nothing more.
Sources:
DRUNK DRIVING :
https://maddchapters.ca/parkland/about-us/impaired-driving-statistics/
FIREARMS DEATHS:
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=3510007201
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/lif...prevent-medical-error-deaths/article30610569/
DEATHS BY TYPE:
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1310039401
AR15 SHOOTING :
https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.the...fle-used-in-shooting-at-deli/article18269064/
Additionally, I think it’s important to be able to provide examples of how we can effectively cut down gun homicides in this country:
-Extremely harsh penalties for “straw man” purchasing and firearms related charges(unlawful possession, use in shootings/attempted shootings).
-CBSA task force to combat smuggling from the USA.
-Funding police services to actually be able to trace the origin of illegal firearms seized from gangs/organized crime.
-increasing youth outreach programs in low-income areas so that they aren’t recruited by gangs.
-Drastically increasing the funding to mental healthcare to hopefully prevent a good number of suicides and potentially active shooters as well.
Sorry for the novel, hoping to inspire some actual action on the issue instead of just angry forum arguments. Maybe a march in Ottawa/at your MP’s office, especially if they’re liberals.