Canada has proven that strict gun laws can save lives, preserve freedom
Re Sept. 3 “Gun laws won’t ever stop gun violence” letter by Donald Comforts.
Mr. Comforts says gun laws can't stop gun violence. Well, a recent news segment (I believe on “60 minutes”) spoke of gun laws in Canada.
More than 25 years ago, an individual in Canada mass murdered more than 30 people. At the time, Canada had just elected a new prime minister. This individual, within 12 days, convinced Parliament to enact strict gun control legislation. Assault weapons could not be sold, used or owned by any private citizen, with no loopholes or special exemptions and only to be used by the military.
A 28-day waiting period was established to approve gun purchase permits; seems reasonable when you are going to have unsupervised use of a lethal weapon. Certain individuals were not permitted to purchase any weapon: convicted criminals, those deemed to have personality or mental problems, etc.
Recently, I believe there was an incident in one of the prairie provinces, but for more than two decades following the passage of this legislation, there was not a single incident of mass killings in all of Canada. Related statistics also prove the law’s effectiveness.
For example, suicides carried out with a weapon were drastically reduced, as were many criminal activities involving firearms.
For years, the U.S. Congress has been receiving their own favorite brand of ammo from the National Rifle Association - cash. We cannot expect any action from our do-nothing legislators. And all you Second Amendment folks, please, that verbiage was written almost 250 years ago.
In case you haven’t noticed (to paraphrase), the times have been achangin’.
Let’s all stop the childish, dangerous and selfish behavior on this issue and follow Canada’s example. Each of us and our country will be safer if some common sense and maturity result.
Jay Allen, Calabash, N.C.
This story was originally published September 20, 2016 at 2:20 PM with the headline "Canada has proven that strict gun laws can save lives, preserve freedom."