Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN News

Canada: Social Democrats Demand Handgun Bans, Feds “Open to All Options”

Friday, August 3, 2018

Canada: Social Democrats Demand Handgun Bans, Feds “Open to All Options”

Much like their U.S. counterparts, Canada’s gun control advocates are using tragedy to advance their pre-existing civilian disarmament agenda. Last week, following a shooting in Toronto’s Greektown neighborhood in which two died and 13 were wounded, the Toronto City Council voted in support of a federal ban on all handguns and semiautomatic firearms, and a requirement that gun owners store their firearms at repositories rather than at home. This week brought further anti-gun activism as the third largest party in Canada’s House of Commons called for urban handgun bans and Liberal Party Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his government’s intent to consider a wide array of gun controls.

Under Canada’s current gun control regime, those seeking to possess any firearm must obtain a Possession and Acquisition License. To obtain a PAL, and applicant must submit to a background check, garner references, and complete of the Canadian Firearms Safety Course.

Those who wish to possess a handgun or certain semiautomatic long guns (Restricted firearms) must also complete Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course. Restricted firearms must be registered with the government. In regards to storage, Restricted firearms must be,

(i) rendered inoperable by means of a secure locking device and stored in a container, receptacle or room that is kept securely locked and that is constructed so that it cannot readily be broken open or into, or

(ii) stored in a vault, safe or room that has been specifically constructed or modified for the secure storage of restricted firearms and that is kept securely locked

There are multiple reports that the Toronto gunman obtained the firearm he used in the shooting illegally.

In April, Canada’s Liberal government announced Bill C-71. The legislation would further restrict possession of some semiautomatic firearms, require more onerous background checks, and create a backdoor gun registry.

Despite the Liberal Party’s promises to restrict guns, Canada’s New Democratic Party (Social Democrats) is demanding more. In an August 2 letter to Trudeau, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh wrote,

your government must address the availability of guns in our cities by taking steps to immediately allow municipalities to ban handguns. Half of all firearms involved in gun crime originate from legal domestic sources. These guns are then stolen or sold illegally and end up on our streets. The federal government should not stand in the way of municipal leaders who know their communities best, and want to ban these weapons to keep their residents safe.

The demand is similar to part of the Toronto City Council’s demands, specifically, that they be granted the authority to ban all handguns from the city.

Trudeau appears open to this proposal and more. On July 26, the Globe and Mail reported, “A proposal to ban handguns is under serious consideration, according to a senior official, who was not authorized to speak on the record,” and that Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Minister Ralph Goodale “and senior civil servants have been tasked with examining the idea of a ban.”

At a memorial for one of the Toronto shooting victims this week, Trudeau seemed open to all manner of firearms restrictions. The prime minister told reporters,

People need to be safe and we need to take the right measures to do that and we're looking at things that have been done around the world, things that have been done in other jurisdictions, looking at the best evidence, the best data, to make the right decisions to make sure that we are ensuring our citizens, our communities are safe into the future.

When asked about a handgun ban, Trudeau replied, “We're looking at a broad range of things.”

On Thursday, Goodale’s spokesperson, Scott Bardsley echoed the prime minister’s sentiment, telling the press, “The recent shootings in Toronto are senseless tragedies and reminders of the devastating effects of gun violence and criminal activity in our communities. When it comes to keeping communities safe from gun violence, we are open to all options.”

The latest moves from Trudeau’s government were met with opposition from the Conservative Party. In a statement, Conservative Shadow Minister for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Pierre Paul-Hus explained, “We know that whenever the Liberals attempt to curb crime with new gun laws, they always end up targeting law-abiding firearms owners instead of gang members and other criminals who use guns to commit violence.” Paul-Hus went on to add, “[i]t’s lazy government to ask all Canadians to follow new laws, while the real work is in targeting and going after criminals. That means strengthening penalties for gun crime and keeping known gang members behind bars, two areas where the Liberals have failed.”

NRA-ILA is following the developments in Canada and will keep Grassroots Alert readers apprised of this developing situation.

TRENDING NOW
Rep. Sheri Biggs Introduces Legislation to Ensure Ability to Ship Firearms

News  

Thursday, May 1, 2025

Rep. Sheri Biggs Introduces Legislation to Ensure Ability to Ship Firearms

On April 28, 2025, Representative Sheri Biggs (R-SC-03) introduced the Protecting the Mailing of Firearms Act (H.R. 3033). This legislation will remove the arbitrary prohibition on the mailing of handguns and ammunition via the United States Postal ...

New Hampshire: Hearing on Firearms Safety Training in Schools This Week

Monday, May 5, 2025

New Hampshire: Hearing on Firearms Safety Training in Schools This Week

On Friday, May 9th, the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee will hold a hearing on an amendment to SB 54 that would require NRA's Hunter Education and Eddie Eagle GunSafe programs to be taught in New Hampshire Schools. 

Trump Administration Revives Federal Firearm Rights Restoration Provision

News  

Friday, March 21, 2025

Trump Administration Revives Federal Firearm Rights Restoration Provision

On March 20, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) published an interim final rule entitled, Withdrawing the Attorney General’s Delegation of Authority. That bland title belies the historic nature of the measure, which is aimed at reviving ...

Anti-gun Lawmakers Attempt to Ban Essential Second Amendment Arms

News  

Monday, May 5, 2025

Anti-gun Lawmakers Attempt to Ban Essential Second Amendment Arms

On April 30, Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) introduced the so-called “Assault Weapons Ban of 2025.” Picking up where his predecessor Dianne Feinstein left off, Schiff’s legislation would ban commonly-owned semi-automatic firearms, such as the AR-15.

Maine: Anti-Gun Bills Receive Bipartisan Opposition in Committee

Thursday, May 8, 2025

Maine: Anti-Gun Bills Receive Bipartisan Opposition in Committee

On Wednesday, May 7th, the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary voted on several gun-related bills. After a lengthy discussion, all anti-gun bills received bipartisan opposition.

Not Your Father’s DOJ: Government Actively Backs Second Amendment in Litigation

News  

Monday, May 5, 2025

Not Your Father’s DOJ: Government Actively Backs Second Amendment in Litigation

It has, in theory, always been the sworn duty of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to uphold the constitutional rights of American citizens and to affirmatively protect fundamental liberties. 

Kansas Supreme Court Enforces PLCAA in High Profile Case

News  

Monday, May 5, 2025

Kansas Supreme Court Enforces PLCAA in High Profile Case

Last week, the Kansas Supreme Court upheld a significant district court dismissal in Johnson v. Bass Pro Outdoor World, LLC, deciding that Bass Pro Outdoor World and Beretta USA/Beretta Italy cannot be sued by a man who ...

Oregon: Senate Hearing Scheduled for Gun-Control Omnibus Bill

Thursday, May 8, 2025

Oregon: Senate Hearing Scheduled for Gun-Control Omnibus Bill

On Monday, May 12th, the Senate Rules Committee will hold a hearing on Senate Bill 243, an omnibus gun-control bill. The hearing is scheduled to begin at 1pm.  

Missouri: Firearms Preemption Bill Passes House Committee

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Missouri: Firearms Preemption Bill Passes House Committee

Yesterday, May 6th, the House General Laws Committee passed House Bill 726, strengthening firearms preemption laws, by a vote of 7-1. 

Partisan Due Process Renaissance Excludes American Gun Owners

News  

Monday, May 5, 2025

Partisan Due Process Renaissance Excludes American Gun Owners

An observer of American political discourse can’t go anywhere these days without being bombarded by reproachful references to the importance of “due process.”

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.