Canada isn’t without it’s problems, but gun violence isn’t nearly as big a problem in Canada as it is in the United States. And many of the guns that are used in crimes in Canada were smuggled in from it’s gun saturated neighbor, the USA, home of the brave.
Today Canadian PM Justin Trudeau proposed a freeze the sales and transfer of all pistols. He didn’t have to beg the opposition Progressive Conservative Party to help craft some minimal measure, if any. Because there is a bipartisan rational consensus on guns in Canada. They don’t have an ultra-corrupt Republican party to obstruct rational gun control. Canada don’t have a Supreme Court packed with right wing radicals, or the archaic Second Amendment.
America is a nation saturated by guns, with more firearms than people. According to the Small Arms Research project, there are 121 firearms for every 100 residents.
Nowhere else compares. But Canada is one of the western nations that comes closest, with an estimated 35 guns per 100 residents.
Still, mass shootings in Canada are so rare, public safety authorities tell us they don't even keep an official list.
Training and tripwires
For one, Canadian law requires citizens to undergo robust background checks and mandatory training before obtaining a gun license.
According to the Canadian Commissioner of Firearms, the number of people denied a license or had theirs revoked has been climbing, to more than 4,000 in 2019.
Reasons for license denials or revocations have included mental health concerns, potentially being a threat to oneself or others, court orders, and lying on license applications.
Another difference between the US and Canada: waiting periods before one can obtain a gun.
In Canada, residents seeking to purchase a firearm must wait 28 days before taking possession.
In case you missed this last night:
Home of the Brave.