The Truth about Canada’s Alleged ‘Crime Guns’: Gary Mauser Sheds Light
Title: Misleading Claims About Gun Ownership in Canada
Introduction
A recent article in the Globe and Mail blames legal gun owners in Canada for the rise in criminal violence in the country. However, the claims made in the article are misleading and fail to acknowledge the law-abiding nature of licensed gun owners in Canada. Let’s examine the evidence and address the flaws in these claims.
Inaccurate Attribution of Crime Guns
The article cites police reports from the Canadian National Firearms Tracing Centre and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATF) to justify the claim that legal guns are linked to firearms crime. However, access to the Canadian report was blocked, raising doubts about its accuracy. It is important to note that legal guns are rarely used in crimes, as supported by evidence of low crime rates associated with possession and acquisition license (PAL) holders.
Understanding “Crime Guns”
The term “crime guns” can be misleading as it does not exclusively refer to firearms used in violent crimes. It includes any illegally acquired firearm, including those collected by police for administrative violations. This broad definition blurs the distinction between administrative and violent crimes, equating law-abiding citizens with criminals. By incorporating non-firearms and firearms involved in paper crimes, the term further confuses the issue.
Limitations of Gun Tracing
Only a small fraction of guns involved in crimes are recovered and submitted for tracing, with successful traces being even fewer. Statistics from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) reveal that a significant number of crime guns are not even submitted for testing. Furthermore, successful traces of crime guns represent a very small percentage of the total guns used in homicide. Guns related to domestic disputes are more likely to be recovered and traced compared to those involved in gang-related crimes.
Misconception about “Domestically Sourced” Guns
The term “domestically sourced” refers to firearms manufactured in or legally imported into Canada. However, an overly inclusive definition of “firearm” has inflated the number of domestically sourced firearms. This definition includes non-firearms such as air guns, replicas, starter pistols, and paintball guns. Additionally, older firearms and those without serial numbers are also categorized under this term. A significant portion of “crime guns” collected were actually non-firearms.
Seizure of Domestic “Crime Guns”
The majority of domestically sourced crime guns seized from unlicensed owners are for non-violent administrative violations. Statistics Canada data shows that administrative charges for possession of weapons constitute the lion’s share of such charges. A report from the RCMP National Weapons Enforcement Support Team confirms that the bulk of crime guns in Western Canada are non-restricted long guns.
The Reality of Gun Control in Canada
The gun control system in Canada has its flaws. Many Canadians possess firearms without a PAL or have failed to register their guns. Estimates from surveys and import/export records indicate that there are millions more firearm owners in the country than there are PAL holders. While some unlicensed gun owners may be principled individuals who refuse to comply with what they perceive as an unjust law, others are simply disregarding it. It’s crucial to differentiate between peaceful unlicensed owners and those involved in violent crimes.
Conclusion
It is important to critically examine claims made about the role of legal gun owners in increasing criminal violence. The evidence overwhelmingly shows that licensed gun owners in Canada are law-abiding citizens and that the rise in violent crimes is not attributable to legally imported firearms. By understanding the nuances of crime gun statistics and acknowledging the flaws in the gun control system, we can have a more informed discussion about ensuring public safety while respecting the rights of law-abiding citizens.
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