Canada’s handgun ban will not impact violent crime: expert

As of this past Friday, the federal government has froze the sales, purchase, and transfer of handguns. Making it illegal to a buy a handgun of any kind, unless “exempted.”

The decision was made in Ottawa to help limit access to firearms, and combat gun violence across the country.

But one crime expert doesn’t believe the government addressed the actual issue of gun-related crimes, and in turn, targeted the wrong group.

“We don’t have law abiding licensed citizens going around shooting people, the criminality that’s out there is using illegal guns – and I don’t feel this was the right step,” said Karen Reid-Sidhu, executive director at the Surrey Crime Prevention Society.

“I know a lot of people who are licensed to carry handguns that use it for a sport. Why are we taking that away from people? Why are we not looking at the real problem here?”

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According to the government, there are a few exemptions, including people who already have permission from the Canadian Firearms Program to carry handguns.

Also exempted are individuals who train, compete, or coach in a handgun shooting discipline that is part of the International Olympic Committee or the International Paralympic Committee.

Reid-Sidhu believes stronger enforcement at our borders and ports is what the government needs to focus on.

“The majority of the crime that happens across Canada is caused by illegal weapons coming across our borders,” she added.

“If you think about the lack of enforcement in Canada with our borders and ports, there needs to be a shift and concentration in that area to enforce those enforcements. With the availability of guns in the U.S. coming into Canada, without resources at the borders, we are not going to be catching very many,” she said.

Reid-Sidhu says that it’s unlikely these new measures will actually make a difference.

“I don’t think this will have any impact whatsoever on the crime that happens in Canada.”

The Canadian Border Services Agency seized 1,203 firearms in 2021, according to its website.