The Criminal Code Is Responsible For Controlling Firearms

Gun violence is serious social problem and Canada has a long history of firearms control. However, increasing costs to the Canadian Firearms Program (CFP) has made it a lightning rod for criticism from both pro and anti-gun advocates. Reports out of the media and Auditor General Sheila Fraser paint a picture of inefficiency, incompetence and mismanagement.

The Firearms Act codified Canada’s gun control laws as they exist today. Specifically, it implemented a new federal licensing system, mandated the registration of all

Over the last two decades, Australia’s firearm laws have undergone extensive reform, resulting from two main catalyst shootings. These shootings events are known as the 1996 Port Arthur massacre and the 2002 Monash University shooting (Baker, & McPhedran, 2007).

     At the time that the code was being revised in 1960, there was a lot of commotion going on about gun control and Bill C-68 that prohibited the ownership of guns contribute to the commotion. At that time, many people believed that by adopting that bill into the Criminal Code of Canada, all those who owned a gun were criminals since guns were not allowed. Canadian citizens believed that the implementation of Bill C-68 would be a nightmare in expense and a violation of the rights of law-abiding citizens; they also believed it would accomplish absolutely nothing in reducing crime (Dessert). Even though many Canadian citizens believed Bill C-68 had nothing to do with crime control, however, it indeed helped to fluctuate the homicide rate in the 1960’s (Leyton).

Gun Ownership and Gun Control in Canada The Oscar-won documentary ‘Bowling for Columbine’ has aroused people’s awareness of gun ownership and gun control issues. Should gun ownership be banned or should guns be controlled? Does gun ownership create a violent society? The answer is not measurable, however, from the firearm situation between America and Canada, the answer is more obvious.

Canada's strict gun control policy protects the people in society and it lowers homicide rates that involve guns. If a person wants to own a gun in Canada, they need a license and registration which requires renewal every five years. "Canada has a much lower homicide rate than the United States." It is because Canada has a stricter gun control policy in comparison to the States.

Society’s concerns about protection from violent crimes involving firearms have encouraged Canadian Parliament to pass tougher gun control legislation. The Federal Government responded by passing Bill C-68 that created the Firearms Act,

"Only Canada, the Women's Shelters and the Coalition (for gun control) argue that the Firearms Act and related provisions under the Criminal Code are, in their entirety, within the constitutional power of Parliament. All of the other interveners, with the exception of Ontario, support Alberta's position that the licensing and registration provisions infringe on the province's jurisdiction in relation to "property and civil rights" [under s.92 (13) of the

Since January 1, 2017, the United States witnessed approximately 300 mass shootings, which can be characterized as an incident where a gunman kills four or more randomly-selected individuals in the same general time and location. This comes to about 7-8 shootings a week. In comparison Canada has had one in the same time period. This staggering disparity can be attributed to the differences in firearm laws between the two nations. Canada has much stricter laws. For example, if a Canadian was to purchase a semi-automatic weapon, they would need to first obtain a specific firearms licence, have the authorization to transport and be a member of a registered gun club. In the same situation, an American would simply need to complete a background check within the gun store, and buy the weapon. Firearms can be easily bought in the United States, and that has facilitated the number of mass shootings they witness yearly. Opposition to the idea of a more

Gun registration is a prevalent and serious issue in both the United States and Canada. Numerous attempts have been made to control the ownership and use of guns in both nations with very little results. In 1995 Canada passed a strict-gun control law partially in reaction to a 1989 shooting at Montreal’s Ecole Polytechnique with a semiautomatic rifle. The long-gun registry introduced in 1995 was estimated to be a certain cost but this was a great undervaluation of the expense of the registry system. Electronic Data Systems and U.K.-based SHL Systemhouse worked to create this gun registration system that eventually needed to be brought to a halt. There are numerous elements of project management that need to be executed correctly in order to successfully complete a project. In the case of Canada’s gun registration system the project failed due to inadequate management of the project scope, the planning of the process, and risk management.

A shooting here; a shooting there; an every day occurrence heard in the newspapers and on the news channels on television. New media are reporting a shooting somewhere. Whether the shootings are accidental or intentional; they are happening across the United States. Nevertheless, in today’s society, gun violence is sparking debate and controversy on how to control gun violence. Throughout the country, thousands of laws and regulations have been created to aid in the control of guns. Through much study, the gun laws and regulations in place have very little effect on the number of gun related injuries and deaths. More needs to be done to establish an effective way to control gun violence.

Their opinion contradicts the opinion of some in saying that the right to have a weapon makes a society free.

The written intent of Canadian firearms laws is to control firearms so as to improve public safety. Canadians have somewhat of a limited admittance to firearms, although they are still able to purchase them with ease. Licensing provisions of the Firearms Act aim to ensure proper training and safe storage. Members must possess a license, called a "possession and acquisition license". A firearms safety class must be passed before applying for a license. A non-resident can have a "non-resident firearms declaration" confirmed by a customs officer, which provides that person a temporary 60-day pass to carry a firearm in Canada. There are three categories of firearms for purposes of Canadian law: non-restricted, restricted, and prohibited. Restricted and prohibited weapons may actually be owned and used in limited circumstances.Owning firearms in Canada is viewed as more of a privilege than a right. The same goes for Hong Kong and Israel.

The public policy I have selected is criminal justice. The criminal Justice system is a compilation of federal, state or local agencies that concern issues dealing with crime. This public policy is provided by the judicial, executive and legislative branches of government. The task of the criminal justice system is to figure out the truth, defend the innocent and even to make the guilty parties punishment not as harsh as it is originally said to be (structure). And most of all, to provide justice.

In North America, there are laws in place that deter the use of guns among those that are not licensed. These policies further assure that guns are only put into the hands of responsible individuals. Unfortunately, guns continue to come across the Canadian border illegally, from America, and end up in the hands of unlicensed, and/or unstable individuals. To combat this, Canadian Customs should perform more thorough checks on all vehicles coming into Canada from America, and enforce stronger laws and punishments for those in possession of an illegal firearm. Although trafficking firearms into Canada is illegal, the laws that are in place to deter trafficking are not enough to decrease the number of illegal guns coming into Canada which is now