Roger Jochym

Comment online since December 2nd 2009
The following article dispels a lot of misconceptions:

Dangerous mistake to scrap long gun registry

By Doug Cuthand, Special to The StarPhoenix

November 13, 2009

The decision by a majority of Members of Parliament to scrap the long gun registry is a
serious mistake that will return to haunt them. The result will weaken our police forces and make the country a more dangerous
place.
Long guns basically are hunting rifles and they are more numerous and just as deadly
as handguns. The registry now lists about seven million shotguns and rifle. The
information contained in the registry will be destroyed if Bill C-391, the legislation to
scrap the registry, goes ahead.
The registry has been a valuable tool for police. In the annual report from the Canadian
Firearms Commissioner, police reported using the registry 2.5 million times in 2007.
Montreal Police Chief Yvan Delorme urged law makers to support the registry, citing the
20th anniversary of the École Polytechnique massacre that resulted in the deaths of 14
female students. He further pointed out another case where a person made similar
threats. That offender was found to have registered firearms and they were seized.
Police use the registry to determine if firearms are present in a house when they attend
a call. Police will tell you that domestic disputes are among the most dangerous calls
they receive. They have to deal with highly emotional individuals and, if firearms are
present, the danger is increased. Responding to domestic dispute calls have taken a
serious toll on the lives of police officers.
A popular myth about gun control is that it costs the taxpayers billions every year. A
study done in 2006 by the auditor general determined that the annual cost for the
registry was about $3 million. This is good value for money, when you consider its value
to police forces.
A closer look reveals a serious dichotomy. The Tories want the public to believe that
they are tough on crime, but by scrapping the gun registry they are removing an
important tool from police. In this case, politics trumps public safety.
The FSIN issued a press release lauding the result of the vote to scrap the registry,
indicating the legislation was an impediment to the exercise of our treaty rights. This has
been the argument from all the detractors of this legislation -- that somehow it will get in
the way of their right to hunt.
In fact, if it's enforced equally across the board, then it's not a disadvantage or disability.
All hunters, First Nations and otherwise, should register their firearms. They should all
receive proper education in the handling and storage of guns, as currently required
when one receives a firearms acquisition certificate.
Historically, guns have played an important role in Indian Country. Firearms combined
with horses created the wealthy and powerful culture of the Plains.
Our people were able to travel danger-free from the wolf packs and plains grizzlies that
hunted buffalo.
The custom continues today. In order to reduce the food bill and maintain a traditional
way of life, many of our people hunt for their food. This means firearms are common on
reserves and aboriginal communities. Statistics have shown that, over the years,
accidental shootings have been a common cause of death and injury, second only to
vehicle accidents. In Nunavut, where vehicles are scarce, guns are the main cause of
accidental death.
Suicide is a serious and growing problem in Indian Country, with firearms widely used
for that purpose, especially by males. Because of improper storage and availability,
guns can be used before there's time for any intervention. The registry is not at fault in
this case. It's the improper storage of the firearms and the ammunition.
Back in the 1980s, someone broke into our home and my hunting rifle was stolen. We
reported it to the police. There was no gun registry at the time and I only had the basic
information to provide the police. I doubt if the gun was ever found, and I wondered over
the years if it was used in a crime or what happened to it. Had there been a gun registry
at the time, that rifle might have been traced and recovered.
We only have to look south of our border to see what a gun culture can create. A
constitutional clause that allowed colonists to arm themselves in case of a British
invasion has been interpreted as universal right to bear arms. Gun ownership is sky
high today and the United State has the highest homicide rate in the industrialized
world.
If there is one thing that separates Canadians from Americans, it is in gun ownership.
They have a dangerous gun culture and we have rules to control firearms and protect
the public. Is the vote to scrap the long gun registry one more step down a slippery
slope toward the American example?

Ed Alexandre

Comment online since November 18th 2009
Shameless politicking at it's finest.

Mon. Chretien soaked us for $2 billion for his friends under the guise of 'gun control'. I can't wait to see what his worship will be looking to spend on this soon to be fiasco and who the money will be going to....

Michel Trahan

Comment online since November 18th 2009
Leave it to a politician to miss the obvious!

The coroner's report on the Dawson shooting said we were dealing with a depressed/suicidal individual, who had some aggression and violence problem, had some drinking problem...

Had tried to seek help, but somehow the healthcare system failed to help him out...

So what do politicians do?

- Ask for more resources to be allocated for to mental health issues? NO

They want more paperwork for sport shooters! If there's ever a prize given for missing the obvious... This will be a top contender.