Gun control has become an important issue to Canadians in today’s society and there has been considerable debate recently in Canada over issues surrounding gun control and violence. Alas, these issues have become increasingly prevalent and ongoing in Canada and the United States despite regulations put forth in an attempt to reduce gun violence. However, historical evidence proves that regardless of various resolutions enacted, it is still likely that the debate surrounding the pros and cons around the usage of firearms will remain the same as they have been before. In 1977, for the first time, the Canadian Parliament passed legislation that regulated long guns, restructured the accessibility of guns, and expanded penalties (Renaud 2013). Canada has both provincial and federal regulations that enclose the purchase, sale as well as the use of various types of guns (Renaud 2013). However, in comparison, the United States only has local laws, and the country does not have federal or state bills that confine the use or ownership of guns (Renaud 2013). More importantly, attempts to introduce stricter gun laws at the federal level have often been derailed.
What makes this issue significant is that not all North Americans collectively support the stance for strict gun control as they believe that this is not a practical solution that addresses and regulates violence (Ezeonu 2010). A common argument that concerned opponents of gun control make is that an experienced criminal who needs a firearm can easily obtain one leaving the law-abiding citizen powerless and unable to protect themselves against threats. However, it is noteworthy that according to the Supreme Court, unlike Americans, Canadians do not have a constitutional right to bear arms because under the Charter, the “possession and use of firearms” is not a right or freedom but rather, a “privilege” (Renaud 2013). But the question still remains, what is the preliminary issue that Canada faces when it comes to gun violence, and will stricter gun control make Canada a safer place? And what should the Canadian criminal law ought to and ought not to do in order to stabilize gun control. Thus, in this paper, I aim to examine the issues and theories of the social impact caused by gun violence and why we are still in need of tighter gun control regulations in Canada.
Background
According to Robert J. Mundt (1990) who addressed gun control and firearms violence in North America, the crimes committed in America are perceived in Canada as perpetuated as a result of the general public being significantly unlawful compared to Canadian society where the civilian population is more law abiding. In 1977, the Canadian parliament enacted the Firearms Act to enforce gun control by requiring gun owners to register their firearms and tightened legislations that administered stricter gun control (Mundt 1990). Among the provisions administered by the Canadian government was the “Firearms Acquisition Certificate” required in order to purchase any gun (Mundt 1990).
The Canadian law requires the licensing and registration of handguns and has been around since the 1930s (Renaud 2013). However, the statute enacted in 1995 was under heated debate because the act extends the licensing and registration requirements to shotguns and rifles (Renaud 2013). The ultimate purpose of the Act according to the government is to reduce firearm offenses and violent crimes including murder. Moreover, the real issue is saving lives, and the licensing and registration of firearms help make gun owners more accountable considering that more Canadians are killed with rifles and shotguns every year than with handguns (Ezeonu 2010). Legislation surrounding Gun control in Canada should be tighter because although crime rates in Canada are significantly falling, there has been a rise in firearm-related homicides that have risen by two thirds since 2013 (Statistics Canada 2015). The 1977 legislation was enacted in an effort to minimize the accessibility of guns based on the assumption that there was a correlation between the utilization and the availability of firearms that triggered gun violence (Mundt 1990). Furthermore, compared with the United States, in Canada over the recent years, varying types of crime (i.e. suicide, homicide) demonstrate no significant outcomes, with only a few recognizable impacts of the 1977 Canadian gun control legislation (Newman and Head 2017). However, a positive outcome as a result of the Firearms Act was the decrease in the utilization of guns in burglary-related crimes compared to patterns in the United States (Newman and Head 2017). Still, even law enforcement officers contend that restricting the availability of guns will have an effect on violent crimes that would not have occurred had a firearm been at hand (Mundt 1990). According to Mauser (2016) who emphasized on the differing attitudes of Canadians and Americans towards gun control, a substantial part of the overall population in both nations support the legislation of gun control, but at the same time believe that they are entitled to the right of possessing firearms. However, in spite of these similarities, there are also significant differences between the overall populations in both countries (Mauser 2016).
As Mauser expresses, Canadians are considerably more “law abiding” and respectful to authority and do not support the utilization of handguns in self-defense to the same degree as Americans (Newman and Head 2017). Compared to the United States, Canada is known to have stricter gun control legislation as well as lower rates of criminal violence (Small arms survey n.d.). Urban areas in the US have much higher rates of criminal violence but lower rates of legal gun ownership (Newman and Head 2017). Likewise, in Canada, the federal government is held responsible for issues pertaining to criminal law. And compared to the American Bill of Rights, under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, individual rights have less protection (Renaud 2013).
Furthermore, it has also been argued that cultural differences could represent why Canada has stricter gun control legislation than the United States (Mauser 2016). Interestingly, surveys conducted across Canada and the United States both indicate that there exists a similarity in the attitudes expressed by the general population towards gun control (Mauser 2016). To put this in perspective, the US and Canada were initially English colonies that had similar immigration patterns. In addition, Canadians are exposed to American news, entertainment programs, and contemporary media. Therefore, the Canadian population has considerably embraced and been influenced by American culture (Mauser 2016).
Similarly, there have been findings that have found gun control to be beneficial. The government of Alberta including five other provinces and numerous pro-gun groups contended that the law is unconstitutional and intrudes on provincial jurisdiction (Langmann 2012). They also claim that the act infringes on property and civil rights that are guaranteed in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, but the Parliament contends that the government of Canada is within its rights to protect public safety. Despite this contention, according to Statistics Canada (2015) firearms are present in some violent offenses more frequently than others. In 2012 a firearm was present in four in ten (42%) attempted murders, and 2,368 robberies involved a firearm accounting for 12% of all robberies in 2012 (Statistics Canada 2015). Pro-gun control organizations, police chiefs and the City of Toronto also back the Firearms Act claiming these as essential for gun control regulation.
Contrastingly, according to Ezeonu (2010) while gun control can influence some perpetrators to kill by implementing different techniques, it is still more unlikely for them to kill multiple victims on a mass scale if stricter regulations were in place. A study conducted by StatsCan (2015) showed that the rate of violent crimes was five times more in the U.S. than Canada, with gun-related homicides double the rate in America. To put it plainly, the use of guns in Canadian homicides has significantly reduced since the changes to the Firearm Act in 1977.
As mentioned by Langmann (2012), cities in Canada have been generally more secure, and less vulnerable against mass homicides compared to the U.S. because of broad gun control and police force. Albeit this, a factor to be considered is that Canadian society that has held a more peaceful outlook. Similarly, considering that the American Constitution ensures that civilians have the right to bear arms, this has made it easier for criminals in the U.S. to obtain guns promptly than their other allies in general (Newman and Head 2017). Further, StatsCan (2015) found that the increased rate of crime in the United States to some degree reflects the estimated 50 million handguns and rifles that are illegally and legally possessed by the American population. Likewise, as Renaud (2013) contended, the issue with regulating gun violence in the United States is that it is severely out of proportion in contrast to the police force available.
Moreover, illegal, cheap and easily disguised handguns have had an influence in a significant number of crimes in the United States (National Firearms Association n.d.). And generally, most homicides occur in impoverished neighborhoods (i.e.in slums where handguns were often the weapon of choice). As such, inner cities in New York, Washington etc. have a higher percentage of visible minorities who are severely impoverished instinctively turn to illegal firearms, drugs as a lifestyle choice (Moorhouse and Wanner 2006). And as a result, at a young age, many get drawn to this way of life. By comparing the rate of killings by handguns, guns other than handguns, and crimes that are not gun related, techniques between the United States and Canada, it was found that there were about 443 handgun killings for every 100,000 individuals looked at, to 4108 in the U.S. over the time of 1977-1983 (Mundt 1990). It should also be noted that American homicide rates for handguns were significantly higher compared to the Canadian crime rate (Statistics Canada 2015). Furthermore, Canada’s reduced homicide rates with respect to the United States is largely because of Canadian gun control, and now more than ever Canadians must be careful against any disintegration to our gun control legislation.
Comparison
Upon analyzing the findings in the sources mentioned above, there are distinct similitudes and differences found arguing for and against gun control in North America. It is clear that opponents of strict gun control will have comparable arguments. These opponents generally defend each other against their rivals on the issue, and they see the advantages as much more beneficial to the society. The 1977 legislation by the Canadian government advocates that the nation will profit by having a more secure society diminished of crime. Similarly, according to Mundt (1990), as result of this legislation, an advantage was that the usage of firearms in thefts has been noticeably lower ever since the gun control provisions of Bill C-51 in 1977. Additionally, Canadians have been more supportive of tighter laws on handguns than Americans and have been less supportive of using firearms in a domestic setting as a defense mechanism than are Americans (Mauser 2016). With this assessment, we can deduce that Canadians have some confidence in gun control and the law to enforce and ensure safety in our community.
Similarly, according to Ezeonu (2010), there has been an increase in the availability of guns since 1945, and this may represent a significant proportion of the distinct underclass that has given room for both the intention and opportunity of criminal conduct to develop. Likewise, the real subject of concern are the gangs that thrive on a certain reputation where violence is considered an accomplishment (Moorhouse 2006). This form of violence is conducted by the means of a firearm that can be effortlessly acquired in the United States because of how easily accessible firearms are. Additionally, there are also some advantageous differences found indicating that gun ownership in the United States is more common amongst people who have no confidence in institutions to protect their security and property (Renaud 2013). The majority of individuals who own firearms thus have them in their possession because it is considered a piece of their “American legacy”, and because of their constitutional right to bear arms (Newman and Head 2017). As a result of these civil liberties, Americans choose to exercise this right to its entirety.
Other prominent differences in the gun control legislation between the two countries are the differing views between the political elites and institutions in opposition to the popular vote (Newman and Head 2017). Thus, because of Canada's political structure, it is considerably less demanding to approve laws compared with the United States Congress (Newman and Head 2017). Having analyzed the issue pertaining to gun violence in Canada by using scholarly sources and statistics found by StatsCan, I was able to formulate my own hypothesis on the effect of gun control and violence in Canada. In the introduction of this paper I have questioned if it is our right to carry firearms as North Americans, or if it is a privilege, and how would our Canadian society profit by enacting tighter gun control laws. A portion of the literature cited in this paper looks at gun control as an alternative to reducing crimes, but simply, the clear message posed by those opposing gun control is that “guns don’t kill, people do”. As mentioned above, Canadian gun control, particularly regulation concerning handguns have the advantage of reducing violent crimes thus saving lives in turn.
Conclusion
Upon taking a look at the 1977 Canadian gun control legislation, there are some noticeable biases present. For instance, the legislation assumes that handguns would be impossible to obtain by criminals because of stricter regulations. Secondly, the legislation assumes that anyone without a criminal record is qualified to get a gun with a Firearms Acquisition Certificate (Langmann 2012). Alas, upon implementing Bill C-51, a black market for illegal handguns has emerged from the United States into Canada, making it simpler for criminals to get a gun (Small Arms Survey n.d.). Moreover, it is arguable that since enacting Bill C-51 in 1977, Canada has remained moderately safe in gun-related incidents in contrast with the United States. However, although Americans believe that having the right to bear arms builds their security, this is still questionable. Similarly, it should also be considered that a restriction to bear arms will not necessarily increase the safety and security of the general public.
Likewise, another significant effect of gun control is how it has become a popular strategy of committing mass homicide. Thus, in spite of the fact that gun control might perpetuate other forms of killing, the likelihood of mass shootings/homicides occurring will reduce significantly. As portrayed in American media, mass shootings and homicides are more common in the U.S. than in Canada. Thus, it is safe to assume that Canadian gun control policies have spared the lives of many potential victims of crime in Canada over the years. Furthermore, it is also important to address how the mass media has glorified violence and how this has influenced North American culture. Often times violence has been desensitized and celebrated instead of being portrayed as unlawful conduct. This misleading depiction by the media has influenced handguns and different firearms appear popular and intriguing in the eyes of adolescents or younger children in North America. Undoubtedly, because of how easily the civilian population gets influenced, it certainly makes our law enforcement offices and regulation appear weak and will potentially erode the trust of the civilian population overtime.
Today, while Canada still has the benefit of gun control unlike in the U.S., we are presently living in a domain that has seen a dramatic increase in gun violence, over a short span of time. For instance, recent mass shootings in Danforth on the 22nd of July 2018 as well as the Fredericton shooting in New Brunswick on the 10th of August 2018 have sparked outrage and debate insisting upon refinements to the gun laws and regulations in Canada, as well as demanding tighter border security that prohibits the illegal transportation of weapons. Regardless, whether the United States will leap towards embracing gun control regulations similar to Canada's remains to be seen. However, with respect to Canadians, we must continue to have confidence in the justice system and law enforcement to protect the civilians. And in protecting our security, the government of Canada should work towards prioritizing the deterrence and illegal acquisition of firearms because as of lately, it appears that gun violence in Canada is becoming increasingly widespread.