Throne Speech: Liberals to introduce Gun control measures

[Waftrudnir]

You keep saying this, Terry. Can you point to an occasion where she has actually said this? How do you know she's thinking about it?

Now: Regarding registries, there is the assumption that confiscations are planned. Gun owners are very good at making assumptions. Consider the paranoid speculation that a Lee Enfield could be deemed an "assault weapon." This comes out of thin air: there has been no serious suggestion that bolt action rifles in Canada should be restricted in any way. Yet we continually see dire warnings that this sort of thing could happen, based on the assumption that gun control is motivated by a desire to disarm everyone completely.

appreciate the fact that you try to maintain a cool head when it comes to firearm restrictions and laws; however, unfortunately this is not a logical discussion, rather one that is motivated by ideology and believes anywhere between "shoot each trespassing child" to "disarm all citizens and surrender all valuable belongings to the state"
if it were a cool headed discussion - we would not have it. Canada has one of the most balanced firearms laws in the western world.
So, why did the Liberals bring them up during the election and what message does this send beyond just grabbing votes?

[terrym]

Wynne has a majority as does JT. As for not announcing she would proceed, how often do criminals announce intended misdeeds?

[welsh]

With the increased reportings of mass shootings in the US, public opinion is definitely being molded by our neighbors to the South.

I'm not seeing this. It seems that most Canadians these days tend to see the American gun problem as an American problem. I don't see much indication that people think there's a gun problem in Canada.

unfortunately this is not a logical discussion, rather one that is motivated by ideology and believes anywhere between "shoot each trespassing child" to "disarm all citizens and surrender all valuable belongings to the state"

This is simply untrue. There is a wide spectrum of opinion. Some gun owners want no regulation at all, but most are in favour of some level of gun control. Some pro-control folks want everything banned, but most simply want effective controls. The general public in Canada is pretty comfortable with things as they stand. For most people, this is a logical discussion; the problem is that the loudest voices come from people with extreme views.

Nothing in the current Liberal proposals suggest a desire to disarm everyone.

As for not announcing she would proceed, how often do criminals announce intended misdeeds?

So just to be clear, your continual assertion that she sees a revenue opportunity is an act of mind reading?

[Bluebulldog]

I'm not seeing this. It seems that most Canadians these days tend to see the American gun problem as an American problem. I don't see much indication that people think there's a gun problem in Canada.

I think that depends on who you're talking with.

There are a great number of Canadians, who are actively commenting on our own guns and policies on the various news sites ( G&M, Post etc), as well as on various facebook feeds.

True, many are commenting that it's an American problem, but many of the same have an anti-gun position, that will no doubt be heard by our legislators.

[fishermccann]

Be careful Welsh, to much common sense in one post, could be overwhelming for some.

[Waftrudnir]

....

Nothing in the current Liberal proposals suggest a desire to disarm everyone.


...

Okay, then tell us WHY they brought it up during during the election and ascertained that this is a topic they pursue.
So what is the logical reason (other than headlines) for plowing that field?
Something ugly is going to come from it and there will be NO fact based debate around it!

[welsh]

I think that depends on who you're talking with.

Yes, there are always a few people chattering and making noise, but I would never pay much attention to comments on news stories or on Facebook; that gives a distorted perspective because you only see the opinionated minority. Most Canadians seem to have little difficulty these days separating the US gun problem from Canada.

I've been deep into this all fall, and I just don't see any sign that Canadians are reacting to the fuss in the US with anything but the idea that the Americans have a problem.

Okay, then tell us WHY they brought it up during during the election....

Do I really need to answer that? Why is any issue raised during an election? To separate one party from another in the minds of voters and win support.

None of the Liberal proposals is radical -- unlike the Allan Rock days, where we were promised radical change from the get go. There's no reason to think there is some hidden agenda here.

As for fact-based debate, don't be silly. There is never fact-based debate on firearms, from either side.

[Waftrudnir]

... There is never fact-based debate on firearms, from either side.

At least we seem to agree on that one.
So again, what is likely to happen if they are going to act upon their clear-as-mud election promise?

[welsh]

I don't see why you think their election promises are unclear. There are only a couple of points that are vague.

Here's what they promised:
- repeal C-42 changes to the ATT -- not vague at all
- repeal C-42 change re classification and return responsibility to RCMP -- not vague at all
- funding to provinces for guns and gangs taskforces -- not vague at all
- change makeup of firearms advisory committee -- not vague at all
- enhanced background checks for RPAL -- vague, to the extend that we don't know just how this will be "enhanced"
- clarify requirements for transfers -- not vague at all
- require dealers to keep records of sales -- not vague at all
- implement UN gun marking regulations -- not vague at all
- invest in technology to help border services -- vague, to the extent that we don't know what the "technology" might be
- will not restore the long gun registry -- not vague at all
- join UN Small Arms Treaty -- not vague at all

I don't see why you call this "clear as mud." It's actually quite clear.

[73hunter]

A very interesting thread and a good read with many good points,

I think an excellent indicator of someone's future behavior will be found in their past...for most of us, the nightmare of Allan Rock casts a long shadow over any Liberal talk of gun control, and the wise will not forget.

found this article, it's interesting...I didn't think any of the states had a registry set up,

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/handgun...lure-1.3344014