They apparently are going through with it this time.
A couple of false starts, essentially neutering the program by rescinding the requirement of registering and cutting off the funding, still couldn't squash the 'EVIL DEMON THAT IS THE GUN REGISTRY!' (cue CON horror music)...
The set-up costs of the program are indeed reason for alarm, if not anger. There is also room for qualms as to how it was applied and how the rural communities were not well served. However, the main costs have been invested; what has to be weighed is the benefits and the ideals behind it.
It is sadly comical to hear CON after CON rant about the infringement of rights that this registry invokes, while scanning the data and considerable value that even in its current trimmed state it provides for those whose job is to serve and protect Canadians.
Along with the private members bill that is before the house, now Harper's minions have let it be known that the Gun Registry will face another attack, this time through the senate.
So it's time to test the members of the senate, those superheroes of sober second thought, with this end-run attempt by our missing in action so-called leader.
CON duffus Peter van Loan said the government's proposed bill is "a fairly non-partisan issue." While 'Public Safety' prefaces his name, van Loan has obviously chosen to ignore the needs and desires of Canada's police chiefs, who through their members called upon the registry more than 9,000 times PER DAY in 2008. Guns are used in crimes, by people who are well-versed in the business, and by those who are irrational, angry and/or violent. Just a scan through the headlines the past few days turn up places where the police would be better prepared by knowing who has a gun and how many. In one instance, the incident has sparked renewed questions on gun control and mental illness; in the other, the rights of having access to such dangerous firepower was never questioned.
Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff has already signalled his stance, and that of his party -- damn the consequences. That's called a principled stand. If the divide on this issue is essentially rural vs. urban, so be it. But I can't help but wonder why we'd want another Mayerthorpe, just in the name of protecting the rights of people to bear arms.
Rookie senator Yonah Martin, a school teacher by trade, will face her first real test as a lapdog of the CON agenda. She was apparently chosen to represent the Lower Mainland, a heavily urbanized and suburbanized region. Perhaps she will listen to the opinions of law enforcement, who too often have to show up at scenes like this. Maybe she'll weigh the studies and statistics which support protecting and enhancing the current gun registry. But from what I've seen from our so-far unimpressive new Set-For-Life Tory, I'm not going to hold my breath.
If the CONs are truly interested in reducing crime of all kinds, they will admit that their rural vote-grabbing theatrics are missing the mark, and just another example of Harper's divide and conquer strategy run amok. Which side of the debate will you, Ms Martin, stand?
Not suprisingly, this senator who sits on the technology committee does not have a website or email posted. But if you want to make sure Ms. Martin hears what Canadians (and hopefully her constituents from the Lower Mainland) think, send an email to the Leader of the Gov't in the Senate, Ms Marjorie LeBreton @ Marjory.LeBreton@pco-bcp.gc.ca
7 comments:
Once again, excellent post.
How can a government purport to "stand for" law and order, when they go against the wishes of the police on the gun registry.
Conservative idiots running wild, again.
I doubt that it's Conservative idiots...who said that a billion dollar registry was going to cost only $2M to set up?
I doubt she'd have a website up and running yet, but she DOES have an email address - it follows the Senate standard (first five letters of last name plus first letter of first name).
Go nuts: martiy@sen.parl.gc.ca
What is it that makes some people think that the problems largely experienced in high population urban areas should be shared by rural and small town citizens? I would also like to know when Liberals are going to own up to the facts and truth, and address the primary root cause of the current problems? That being rampant drug use, sales and the profitability involved?
If you are truly concerned about the welfare of Police, then focus on the real issues. Even Mayerthorpe had an element of drug issues, and is not very far from a high population area, and large market for the drugs being produced there.
If so many new age folks weren't so busy getting high so often, maybe they might admit to themselves that the results of their habits are endangering Police the most, and costing taxpayers a fortune. Word of advice, keep your eye on the ball.
With this Bill, the Conservatives want to cancel the procedure to register all non-restricted firearms. If the bill is past, new purchases of non- restricted firearms will not be entered into the data base.(CFIS) According to the police this will make their task of tracing and locating the last know owner of these firearms more difficult.
Registration helps police trace firearms and combat the illegal movement of firearms
To break up organized networks involved in the illegal movement of firearms, it is necessary to have a traceable commodity. Previously, police had to search manually through thousands of retail records to find the source of any non-restricted firearms recovered at crime scenes. The computerized, centralized CFIS makes it much easier for police to trace and locate the last known owner of these firearms. If firearms are identified as stolen, knowing the source of the firearm will give the police a valuable starting point for their investigation and identify possible patterns of theft from firearm shipments or dealers.
Within the Canadian Firearms Program, NWEST, a unit of highly trained and experienced investigators and analysts work with law enforcement, across the country and internationally, to assist in anti-trafficking and anti-smuggling efforts. The team also helps the police and judicial system in dealing with issues of violence with firearms in Canadian communities.
Well that anti trafficking and anti smuggling doesn't seem to be working so well, given the situation in Mexico. Nor does it seem to be helping a great deal in B.C. or with access to weapons by such groups as Outlaw motorcycle clubs. The fact that gangs, drugs and related criminal activity by organized criminal groups is a major factor in this, should be of primary consideration.
As to the rest of the world, China and a basketful of others, including many Soviet era states are only too willing to supply any significant market.
Previously, government had everyone who wished to acquire a firearm obtain an FAC. Firearms Acquisition Certificate, for those not familiar with the abbreviation. Government managed to lose most of those records, supposedly due to a fire. That straight from the mouth of Police in Ontario. So a significant part of the $2 billion cost of setup for the current registry was due to this. Nothing like paying for things twice over, plus some more.
BTW, that sounded a lot like a communique from the Gun Registry HQ. We do good works.
I can tell you first hand that the registry does not work and is flawed and inaccurate. It is now simply being used to intimidate the legal gun owner. The police after so many scandals in BC and the Yukon have lost all credibility with me and most of the public.
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