Should Handguns be Banned in Canada?

While it may appear to be the solution to our problems, consider this: the people using these guns are already committing a number of crimes. Shooting people is ILLEGAL! Shooting at people, whether you hit them or not, is ILLEGAL! Pointing a gun, whether real or a replica is ILLEGAL! Shooting a gun within city limits is ILLEGAL (OK, this is a by-law offence not a criminal offence, but it is still ILLEGAL)! Do you honestly think that someone who would shoot a fellow human-being really cares that they will get in trouble for using a BANNED handgun?! I’m sure that is the last thing on their mind.

Some other facts: possessing a handgun without a permit is ILLEGAL! Transporting a handgun without a permit is ILLEGAL! Owning a handgun that is not registered with the Firearms Registry is ILLEGAL! Do these facts discourage them from carrying or using handguns?! NO!! I hate to shatter any illusions, but people who carry guns to commit crimes aren’t going to buy them legally, have all the required permits or register them.

Chief Bill Blair recently admitted that according to Toronto Police statistics, about a quarter of the people cops apprehend with guns are already banned from possessing firearms as a result of a previous conviction. Does this fact appear to be discouraging them from carrying or using handguns?! NO!! These people are already thumbing their nose at the law, so do you honestly think banning all people from owning handguns will have any effect on the criminal element?

I have a really simple solution that will not require any committee studies, public inquests, parliamentary debate, new laws being drafted or large amounts of money being spent of ineffectual registries: SIMPLY ENFORCE THE LAWS WE CURRENLY HAVE ON THE BOOKS AND HAND OUT HARSH SENTANCES FOR VIOLATORS!! Sound good?