Mothers of Canadian gun violence victims launched the Mothers for Gun Control Campaign in Toronto on 8 May. The campaign is opposing the federal government’s move to weaken the gun laws. Two Bills introduced in Parliament propose to abolish the long-gun registry and weaken controls on prohibited and restricted weapons.

While Bill S-5 abolishes the registration of rifles and shotguns, Private Member's Bill C-301 goes even further. It proposes extending the duration of all gun licences from 10 to 12 years, as well as allowing licensed owners to acquire an unlimited number of handguns and restricted semi-automatic military weapons over a 10-year period, without requiring approval from the chief firearms officer. It would also allow people to transport fully automatic and semi-automatic assault weapons to public shooting ranges.

The government claims it is abolishing the registry to save money as it is inefficient and ineffective against crime. Police organisations, by contrast, argue that it is a valuable tool and that it is used nearly 10,000 times a day. The registry allows Canadian police to establish the source of firearms and lay the evidentiary trail needed for prosecutions. It is also used for preventive action, providing alerts when licensed gun owners come into conflict with the law. 

After several high-profile shootings, families of victims of armed violence fought to have strong gun controls. These measures have paid off as murders with rifles and shotguns have decreased from 107 in 1991 to 32 in 2007. Rifles and shotguns are the weapon of choice in domestic killings in Canada.

Canada has an international reputation as a leader in gun control policy. In a letter to Prime Minister Harper, Project Ploughshares urged him to consider the potential international implications of Bill C-301. If passed, this bill will reverse important parts of Canada’s commitment to international norms as embodied in the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms. Appropriate domestic regulation over the sale, possession and use of civilian weapons is integral to Canada meeting its obligations under the UN PoA.  

The Mothers for Gun Control Campaign video can be viewed at www.guncontrol.ca