Gun buyback program 'not effective' in fighting violence, says sociology professor

University of Toronto sociology associate professor Jooyoung Lee says the federal government needs to look at the root cause of gun violence and invest in communities that are most vulnerable. He says the people who participate in these programs are not trafficking firearms.
Watch Canada Tonight with Ginella Massa weeknights at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT/9:30 p.m. NT on CBC News Network and CBC Gem.
»»» Subscribe to CBC News to watch more videos: bit.ly/1RreYWS
Connect with CBC News Online:
For breaking news, video, audio and in-depth coverage: bit.ly/1Z0m6iX
Find CBC News on Facebook: bit.ly/1WjG36m
Follow CBC News on Twitter: bit.ly/1sA5P9H
For breaking news on Twitter: bit.ly/1WjDyks
Follow CBC News on Instagram: bit.ly/1Z0iE7O
Subscribe to CBC News on Snapchat: bit.ly/3leaWsr
Download the CBC News app for iOS: apple.co/25mpsUz
Download the CBC News app for Android: bit.ly/1XxuozZ
»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»
For more than 75 years, CBC News has been the source Canadians turn to, to keep them informed about their communities, their country and their world. Through regional and national programming on multiple platforms, including CBC Television, CBC News Network, CBC Radio, CBCNews.ca, mobile and on-demand, CBC News and its internationally recognized team of award-winning journalists deliver the breaking stories, the issues, the analyses and the personalities that matter to Canadians.

[@crash6442]

"Military assualt style weapons" >proceeds to show a gun literally in .22 LR 1:06

[@OisinClissmann]

I own that same .22 and I cringed so hard. The sad thing is most people won't tell the difference between that and the WMD black rifle of doom that is the AR15.

[@private2809]

It's a waffle word. Showing any rifle would've been inaccurate because there's no such thing as a "military assault style weapon" in any sort of rifle Classification system I'm aware of.

[@ImpulseToAdrenaline]

GSG 16 LR.

[@craigtucker1290]

@@private2809 It is a word that seeks to discriminate on how a weapon looks, not based on its actual function. It is like racism, but for guns.

[@private2809]

@@craigtucker1290 much like racism it covers up the failing of our government and our communities by fueling fear and unfounded paranoia amongst our own people and towards our own people.

[@williamjames9515]

I recently legally transferred the ownership of my handguns. I also legally sold my long guns. I have not renewed my license because I am getting too old to enjoy the sport. Legal gun owners must pay for and take training courses (one for long guns, another for handguns and a third for hunting). They must pass exams and are vetted by the RCMP. They must provide references including agreement of their spouse. By law, we keep our guns unloaded, with locks on the trigger and in a locked safe. The purchase of ammunition is also controlled and requires proof of a firearms license. The bad guys will illegally import guns from south of the border. It is difficult to steal guns from registered gun owners. 1) because we don't want our guns stolen and 2) they are locked up! A city by city ban will just make life miserable for legal owners who want to visit other clubs. It seems to me that the mass murders are usually the result of mental illness and the individual murders by criminals. I don't see how the proposed changes will make a significant difference.

[@rromo4726]

Amen!

[@whymelord5695]

The rcmp is a homegrown anti Canadian organization formed to please their masters, NOT the citizens of Canada.

[@brentfellers9632]

Well put!

[@mouthbreather280]

You can’t get too old to enjoy firearms... keep them!

[@Kid_Kootenay]

I do not think most canadians even know our laws required they assume were the usa its harder to be legal than get a gun illegally in canada

[@unpredictable88vanderhooze37]

I have a strong feeling Canada's will not give up there arms

[@stanleycronk4136]

@@watching-the-watchers55 Quebec? They're the leader of the flock!

[@alphariusomegon4442]

I mean it's not like Canadians can't just make firearms in their basement when they can already do the same with ammunition without a license

[@thereforeayam]

Dont answer this person seriously....why did they use 'arms' ...? Because someone(s) among them has arms, not just guns

[@theyeti6465]

@@alphariusomegon4442 time to buy a lathe and milling machine

[@J72-w9t]

Homicides Robberies Assaults All went UP when Australia banned guns.

[@andrejdollevoet8742]

I really appreciate how cbc actually gave people a different point of view then the regular anti gun stuff, I love this!

[@flmacphee1158]

I agree never thought CBC would allow an interview like this to air

[@B00Tsauce]

Because on the flip side , conservative media would never entertain the idea of full disclosure.

[@flmacphee1158]

@@B00Tsauce The conservatives are the only ones with full disclosure in every case its JT and his buddies tell half truths and the media covering up for him.

[@rush2124u2]

Now that you mentioned it, yes very true, good one

[@machinegun3133]

that guy is anti-gun. rewatch the video. He agrees with the handgunban and says more should be done, that its not enough

[@PaintballerReviews]

Much respect for the news woman She didn’t use the word assault weapon or assault rifle

[@cougar2k720]

I rarely use the word like gun when I to someone about the topic, and I would never use the word weapon, or assualt style in the conversation because that's not how we use it as PAL owners. I just refer all as firearms or hand pistols.

[@jackasstore1102]

@@cougar2k720 I've been using the term " tools " for a choice in hobbies.

[@cougar2k720]

@@jackasstore1102 We can also refer it as long range projectile system and self loading compact projectile system.

[@9eze956]

1:05

[@aheath73]

Thank you CBC for actually putting forth some reasonable, thoughtful voices into this topic. With the voluntary buyback estimated to cost anywhere between $300 million and possibly up to $1 BILLION dollars to Canadian taxpayers, there are certainly better ways to spend money on anti-gun violence measures and programs.

[@mbpaintballa]

its over a billion, the forced confiscation would cost upwards of 10 billion, and thats assuming only 5grand per gun owner

[@evictioncarpentry2628]

I know more the one guy who's got nearly half a mil each on the list. Even a billion is a low estimate. The LGR coat that much and thats just paperwork.

[@longshipventures]

MINIMUM a billion dollars, and that doesn't factor literally billions a year in lost business revenue and at least 10000 people losing their jobs.

[@8301989]

Guns are not the problem it is the person behind the gun that is the problem instead of getting rid of the Guns they need to spend billion on focus mental health in order to stop shooting before the person goes off on a rampage

[@R011T1DEROLL]

Trudeau's voice sounds like nails on a chalkboard

[@stanleycronk4136]

Get used to it. He's a triple termer, at the least!

[@jackasstore1102]

@@jgambler1188 🤔🤔🤔don't we all have nails? Anyone can scrape a chalkboard. But of course the NDP would put their spin on it. Provincial, Federal, both the same.

[@jackasstore1102]

@@jgambler1188 ??????Do explain get cancelled??

[@recontrailerltd.7838]

Canada water boarding

[@batsardcat3285]

You can get used to nails on a chalk board

[@mycatphsyco]

1:09 Got to love that they started their scary gun montage off with a .22LR. At least we know the shop owner has a good sense of humour.

[@jschoenzy9416]

I love that the salesman gave a little smirk when he laid it on the table, he must have known that we would cringe at a .22lr representing something sinister.

[@charles-antoinestephenson8350]

@John Ellis trust him i own one lol

[@davijazzz]

lol look at his face at 1:03

[@kingarthur5110]

'This is about saving lives'. What, banning Airsoft?

[@BlankofMaterial]

read the bill. it's not banning airsoft. can you read?

[@youtubecensorseverythingIsay]

@@BlankofMaterial yes it is, anything that looks like a "real" firearm will be deemed a replica and will be prohibited, 95% of airsoft "guns" are modeled after the real thing, surely you can do the math

[@unknown-xq9rs]

@@BlankofMaterial its banning airsoft

[@thunderring8056]

@@BlankofMaterial It literally says.

[@tkirchmann]

@@BlankofMaterial It is banning airsoft

[@rickoshay545]

Wouldn't it be nice to see criminals answer for their crimes rather than have the rest of society having to answer for them.

[@V_for_Vovin]

But if the state only went after criminals, then they couldn't find leverage to press their boots upon the necks of law-abiding citizens. As far as these suits in their gated communities are concerned, all us dirty peasants are criminals.

[@ruetherb]

"Buyback"? This is extortion. Give us your property or else..

[@geronimowindow]

Confiscation with compensation

[@rayjay5836]

You buy it with your own money and they buy it off you with your tax money and you have nothing.

[@simoncleret]

Using Australia as an example when their biker gangs roll around with literal machine guns is hilarious.

[@maxwellfairfield888]

All homemade too

[@MegaRiffraff]

They have the same amount of murders now as before the ban.

[@milballs]

There are more legally owned guns in Australia today than were before Port Arthur. The liberals only hope is to purposefully misinform, irresponsibly neglect, or encourage apathy with regards to actual facts and reality.

[@flmacphee1158]

Thank you for giving legal firearm owners a voice, this gentlemen seems to have a better idea what is needed to reduce gun violence then Big Baby Bill

[@machinegun3133]

he is anti-gun, rewatch the video! he agrees with the bans including handgun, he says it isn't enough and more should be done

[@mejason4]

Omg cbc actually didn't close the comment section 😱😱😱😱😱

[@undisputed6034]

Because CBC fullfiled a third party contract with a company to organize information of all the people that positively responded to this video, to database those people.

[@aaron72]

Rod or Tracey of the CCFR could easly tear down these arguments for gun control

[@B00Tsauce]

@gaslighting only works on you two words: 3D printer

[@GeorgeSmith-sb6xs]

gaslighting only works on you okay, you convince the US to stop making them, then convince criminals to stop smuggling them in, while your at it make criminals get a licence. Vast majority of hand guns are not stolen from legal owners, they are smuggled in from the states.

[@mattpace8258]

How many crimes are committed with legal guns? How many legal gun owners commit crimes with guns?

[@napiermail3592]

Why cant we protect our self. Why are we treated like 40 year old children when 17yesr olds won the world wars and buildt the base of today...

[@napiermail3592]

@juliette Irene sorry my comment has flown over your head. Goodluck in all your travels

[@napiermail3592]

Lol better then being stuck in a boomer brain

[@napiermail3592]

@gaslighting only works on you who gave your nursing home wifi lolol

[@mycatphsyco]

@@napiermail3592 Geez this got nasty for no reason. Especially because I believe you and Juliette are actually in agreement. You are aptly pointing out how we are being coddled like children when it comes to our rights and access to firearms. To back up you point you mentioned how 17 year olds fought a war to secure our freedoms with the tools we are slowly being denied access to. Juliette simply pointed out that our current lack of freedoms and rights almost make it appear as though we did not fight for and secure our fundamental values and right in concurrent world wars. Both of you are right and it is alarming how through OIC’s we can be stripped of such fundamental property rights. It is almost reminiscent of some despot from the mid 20th century, though his name eludes me.

[@B00Tsauce]

Because humans by nature are corrupt, emotional, and unpredictable. You must be young or inexperienced or perhaps you live under a rock and haven’t paid attention. But there are those who thought seatbelts were an infringement on freedom at the beginning too.

[@JP-mz8xd]

The guns targeted are harmless in Canadian shootings.

[@theendangeredcatcoon9554]

The guy in the video actually makes a very decent point on the fact that most gun violence is committed with handguns rather then rifles and addresses some of the main causes of why someone would resort to gun violence like poverty and racial inequality. It's one of the main reasons why I oppose the assault rifle ban cause most of those guns in the ban are guns which have been converted to fire only in semi auto, have a limit of 5 rounds and even have restrictions on how short your rifle can be to prevent them from being concealable.

[@simoncleret]

If the specific firearm in question was at any point full auto, converting it to semi auto only changes to a different class of prohibited firearm. "Once a machine gun, always a machine gun". The firearm needs to be built from scratch as a semi auto to be legal. We're splitting hairs, but our laws are a confusing, impractical mess.

[@rromo4726]

There are no legally acquired assault rifles in Canada. The AR-15 platform is a low caliber semi-automatic sporting rifle. It is just black and has no wood furniture. Otherwise its just basically a 22 cal rifle.

[@simoncleret]

@@rromo4726 There are some old farts here and there who owned actual assault rifles back before they were banned in the 70's and still have them, but they can't take them to the range or anything and the license required to own them is unobtainium for those of us too young to have gotten one at the time so it's a bit of a moot point.

[@JP-mz8xd]

Gus are almost never used in Canada in domestic violence. Hammers, knives, screwdrivers are.

[@V_for_Vovin]

Don't worry, you soon won't be allowed to own any tools without a trade license issued by the RCMP, based on the mood of the issuing officer when they review your application.

[@SuperSportMTL]

My god some decent honest reporting with a guest who is actually an expert and knows the facts! Good job on this one CBC. Thank you Prof.

[@aquafina51]

1- It's not a "buy back" it's confiscation. 2- Australia's confiscation did not get all the guns from people's homes. It was about 30%

[@KillerSniper55]

I’m going to be honest, when I heard “Sociology Professor at the University of Toronto” I was worried. I’m glad I was wrong.

[@thenorthernwill]

This type of objective reporting is what might save the CBC, as long as they commit to real journalism full-heartedly.

[@Brandon-nt3sz]

unfortunately us gun enthusiasts stay quiet and we dont voice our concerns as loudly as all the uninformed masses.

[@slygreenbloom8226]

An Ar 15 has never been used in a homicide in Canada.

[@randykerr326]

During this pandemic, this government's concern is a firearms ban from legal gun owners. Nobody seems to want to ask this question but why is a recreational sport being attacked during a pandemic Shouldn't this government be focus on people's health and the economy?

[@garrettpotter9464]

Holy cow this might be the most balanced and reasonable discussion CBC has ever done on firearms. And finally they didn't interview someone from the Poly group as a counter point.

[@machinegun3133]

the guy was anti-gun.

[@nazimL1011]

Wow...CBC brining a common sense person that says the truth

[@layzorbeeemz7317]

Finally, someone talking some SENSE! Thank you.

[@I_am_Parzival]

This woman needs a raise. Well done. Finally some attention to detail.

[@jonathanshahariw2908]

The municipal hand gun section ONLY applies to canadians with licences that follow the laws anyway. Criminals CAN NOT be charged under this legislation or bylaws, as the bill is written.

[@STEVEARABIA1]

I'm shocked the CBC is actually airing an opinion that isn't just towing the liberal line.

[@k5blaze84]

Buyback is a nice term for confiscation!

[@maxwellfairfield888]

How is the gun ban going to be helpful at all? The last time we had a gun ban like this was 1995 and gun crime has sky rocketing since.

[@liamhawley8418]

If you want to solve gun violence, you need to invest in policing so they can go after those committing the crime, fix the court system so repeat firearm offenders are not released repeatedly after committing the same crimes, and invest in youth diversion programs to get them away from this criminal activity

[@philipjorgensen2513]

Look at Bill C-22 no mandatory sentences for gun crimes anymore cause it is discrimination they say.

[@GMAN420BC]

This will not save lives.

[@urcheapsimp103]

Might as well ban all shotguns

[@francesbadger3401]

What a remarkably rational professor! Pleasantly surprised.

[@rickoshay545]

It's a free country just as long as you do exactly what you are told.

[@benebluesman]

If you make me a criminal for having a $50 BB gun (now a prohibited firearm) I bought at Canadian Tire what is supposed to dissuade me from seeking out really dangerous prohibited firearms like a full auto pistol? What percentage of Canadians will embrace their newfound outlaw status?

[@paulm3931]

DO NOT Give them up.

[@flatwaterbeliever7865]

Criminals aren’t turning in guns!!! 😂

[@ThenotMrNiceGuy0109]

I lost my guns in a boating accident. Does that make me a criminal? 🤣

[@flatwaterbeliever7865]

Campbell01 😂sometimes that happens

[@yingyangplane5074]

Yeah gun grab is not effective

[@jordandemarchi1926]

legal gun owners are not the problem. We have the largest undefended border in the world, with the most armed country in the world. The CA/US border is literally forest on some sides. Canadian gun owners are not the problem!!!

[@TheCardioKing]

Awesome that CBC is showing another point of view! Thank you

[@Hamsteak]

She's actually one of the better CBC host. She's pretty fair compared to the others

[@matthewmontague535]

Handguns are also the ones that are the most heavily registered regulated and the storage laws are the toughest so another gun law will only affect law abiding citizens duh

[@adambromley6972]

They should just hire that guy to make the gun laws

[@brianmcdonald248]

Never thought I would give CBC a thumbs up.

[@feiwang1095]

Guns are so easy to make. I'm from China and guns are totally banned. But if you have money and want to get one, you still can buy from smuggling from South Asia country like Burma , Thailand or Laos . As log as there is demand and money, there is nothing impossible.

[@bonohyogurt]

4:15 Root causes of violence. This is the most important part of the conversation. Too much repression from the government on tools that law abiding citizens use for sport and hunting, while lockdowns keep increasing poverty and marginalization. Also, towards the end, prof. Lee mentions we need to build a better society where youth have more opportunities. I agree. There is also a big responsibility on families, and specifically fathers, to be present on the life of their youth. Starting on myself and my home.

[@V_for_Vovin]

From my experience growing up in rural Canada during the early 2000s, youth are not even allowed to live like their family did off of the land without permission from the Crown (ie., licensing, fees). If they don't like you for whatever reason, you are screwed. It's ok if you are a "minority" though, in which case you are usually not required to have any licensing, and the state will pay you for your lifestyle. They prohibited me for life for ever possessing firearms simply because they wanted to "set an example" with no real justification. Meanwhile, weekend warriors from the metro part of the province are completely allowed to roll into our area during hunting season, set up RV cities, and then mow down any animal that moves.

[@fastestdino2]

Thank you CBC for finally giving our side a fair chance. It took you a while, but you did it and I'm happy.

[@METHUSELAH-dx4mt]

But your guest speaker is absolutely correct in what he is saying and is spot on

[@gpav1]

As well the government will not offer a fair value for someone else’s property...

[@IrateWizrd]

I'm glad they had someone on who actually looks at the topic objectively, nice to see.

[@brodycanning5666]

Disarming law abiding citizens, we all seen this film before. Summer of 39, translation to French and English from the original German.

[@hungariannerd8445]

Banning airsoft guns isn't effective either.

[@111Sylvester]

I am not a gun owner, nor do I plan ever to own a gun, but I see Canada having had a strong framework of laws that gave the privilege of firearm ownership to the most responsible and law abiding. This new patchwork of restrictions undoes the control that the law has to regulate guns. Crimes committed with illegally owned guns will continue to occur.

[@V_for_Vovin]

They made it a serious problem making it out to be a "privilege". It should be a default right unless there are formalized circumstances that restrict it otherwise (like a criminal conviction, emergency circumstances, etc.). As a privilege, it means that Firearms Officers can choose at will who gets to possess them and who does not, based on their personal feelings. I know this because I took them to court and this was their entire case of how it was a "privilege" that I "had to earn" (meaning they can create any criteria they want beyond safety certification and licensing fees).

[@enigma2297]

How do you buy back something you never owned in the first place🤔

[@jeffreyclutter8918]

I don't 100% agree with all his viewpoints. But I appreciate that he appears to actually have a brain. He also seems at least willing to have a dialog on the topic.

[@tamageskadub]

Trudo got to Go!

[@brentfellers9632]

I would gladly give up all my firearms if I thought someone's child would be saved. But this law is flawed, it won't stop gun violence in the cities. Criminals don't care about laws, and the guns coming into Canada from the usa. I own restricted rifles as well as handguns, not of them have shot anything but paper. This is an emotional smoke screen to cover up the ineptitude of bill Blair and Brenda lucky and the rcmp in nova Scotia. Period.

[@EvilEmoj1]

Sadly, from what I've heard, C-21 has a pretty good chance of passing. However, it is important that we all bring ourselves together and contact our local MPs. (Member of Parliament.) Cheers.

[@justinmassecar9133]

I'm surprised they would give air time to someone qualified that doesn't think their ban will work.

[@davemexico260]

I'll protect myself , thank you very much. I don't have taxpayer funded security on 2 minutes notice. Addhole.

[@dalehamilton487]

Justin sounds like he is trying to convince a child.

[@maximk9964]

He is, he's talking to Liberal voters

[@masonman_2113]

@@maximk9964 lol

[@churchPINBALL]

THEIR TAKING MY red-ryder-bb-gun

[@jalexandermt]

Way to go CBC. Excellent reporting gets to the root cause of the issues and debates the solutions. It's nice to see that happening here

[@drmiles7546]

what this man does not understand is guns and Canadians are as popular and part of our heritage MORE SO THAN HOCKEY ...plus someone explain to me how you can buy back anything ,,,if you have never owned it to begin with

[@lostthebox4403]

Can we take a look at how Canada is different than the US. Our issues are not the same, and we truly need to stop talking about what affects other countries and start looking to our own, through our shared Canadian identities.

[@paddycurrie9571]

Can we all remember that he accidentally baned a coffee company as well

[@bthemedia]

3:40 actually addresses root cause - not guns (definitely not rifles) but poverty, no opportunities, lack of police, lack of support, then hate and violence. Attack the PROBLEM of Violence and Criminals - not the law abiding citizens

[@brentkelly5445]

Hold On!!!!!! Are my taxes being used to buy peoples guns to get them off the streets? Am I going to work to pay you to buy guns?

[@mukmuk723]

Yep! That's what they'll do, they'll take your money any my money, to give me 50 bucks for each of my guns that cost me 500+.

[@Impulset0]

That's exactly what you're doing.

[@mathyszka]

Yep an estimated $1 billion in taxpayer money, there are 2.2 million firearms owners in Canada after all and the average modern sporting rifle that was on the ban list is about $1000.00 +. So instead of investing the $1 billion in programs that would make a difference they are doing this.

[@mrroy5542]

Wow surprised CBC is covering this

[@jasonlabby172]

Criminals aren’t poor they have money, not sure about other cities but in Vancouver area most shootings are in mid-upper class neighborhoods by criminals driving in the area. It’s all over drugs and the control of territory, poor people pose no threat and are not the issue. It’s all about disarming Canadians, it’s not about safety

[@theodorestinson50]

Remember when Justin banned a coffee company? Pepperidge farms remembers.

[@daleparker4207]

Thanks for sharing

[@AS-oz6ep]

So here's the thing: the people who have these firearms are licensed, legal, trained firearm owners. They use them for target practice at the shooting range for sporting purposes. These firearms ARE NOT the ones responsible for urban gun violence. These people ARE NOT the ones responsible for urban gun violence. If the goal is to stop urban gun violence, I can't think of a more COMPLETELY INEFFECTIVE way of going about it than this. It will literally accomplish NOTHING because you'll be taking guns that weren't used for crimes out of the hands of people who weren't committing crimes. This is virtue signaling nonsense at its worst.

[@Surleyone]

Absolutely correct!

[@jonathanwieler8863]

Justin needs to go. --- So glad they got someone actually knowledgable to discuss these talking points. CBC had failed SO many times before.

[@qt6943]

Misleading people :(

[@private2809]

Which part?

[@mattb4303]

Stop C-21, your ruining our country. We play paintball its our sport and pass time. Focus on the real issues not our sport

[@newman793]

6:20 I can't take Bill seriously with the eyebrow thing going on 🤣

[@Snubrevolver]

> a buyback won't be useful since the people who traffic and use guns for violence don't participate. > Australia's buyback was really effective because they took away a lot of guns Looks to me like the prof needs to pick one

[@scottkellam7712]

The communities that commit most of the violence and gun crimes themselves need to be held to account, not people who have no connection to it but who are the easiest target for politicians.

[@TheHonestTruth]

Sending my children to the university of Toronto.

[@Idontwantachannelok]

There's another crime here in charging $20 for a box of reloaded 9mm...

[@Beavertrkr]

She sure didn't talk about how banning paintball guns and airsoft toy guns will make everyone safer...Lmao

[@elevatorbernie4924]

The criminals in Australia didn't sell their guns in the buy back. Gun crime, specifically home invasion/robbery actually grew after the Australian buy back......the criminals had no fear once the people were disarmed.

[@andrewsmith7115]

They make it harder for law abiding citizens to acquire & own firearms yet they also reduce the sentencing guidelines for people convicted of gun crimes such as firearms trafficking, pointing a firearm at someone during the commission of a crime (usually robbery, extortion, or uttering threats), possession of a firearm in violation of a firearms prohibition (people who have been legally prohibited from possessing a firearm by the Courts after being convicted of prior crimes), etc, thereby reducing the deterrent for recidivism.

[@therodenthitman]

Want to save lives? Ban alcohol.

[@RCRJonny]

The craziest part of the municipal handgun ban is that it's worded in a way that literally only applies to those who are licensed. So if you don't have a license you cannot be charged under that law

[@kgabris3387]

Maybe there should be a buy back program for elected politicians? A high school machinist can fabricate a single shot hand gun in 2 hours or less that uses non-restricted amunition. When or if gun violence is reduced, knives and explosives will then become the new weapons of choice for motivated criminals. If my neighbor has a hand gun and is fully trained and licensed to possess and use it, it's my opinion that the neighborhood is as safe as any. This is no different than living next door to a police officer to whom brings their side arm home with them. Pitty the fools that try to invade that household. Perhaps this is the 'big picture'? Could it be that more Canadians want to be prepared for a surge in violence? Can you imagine a day when someone breaks into your home and pulls out a gun to demand a loaf of bread?

[@gregganderson9062]

Sign petition E-3201. BILL C-21 will not stop any violent crime. Lawful gun owners, paintball and airsoft players DO NOT COMMIT CRIMES WITH THEIR GUNS. In the case of Airsoft and Paintball... the “guns” (markers) are toys. BILL C-22 (released a week later) reduced mandatory sentences for violent criminal

[@jacobbaker9389]

Problem: criminal gun violence and gang activity Government solution: bill C-21 prohibits airsoft guns and sport shooting fire arms. This destroys a country wide community of hobbyists. Terrible disappointment.

[@randydhanraj1502]

Canadian government :bans airsoft gun Airsoft players: Guess I'll buy real ones. Canadian government:. 😮

[@garrettjames9295]

It's like saying let's do the opposite to try to prevent gun crime. Why not do something effective like 10 years for anyone who caught with an unlicensed handgun or rifle and one year for every bullet in the magazine maybe that'll actually make one of these gangsters rethink their life every time you put a bullet in the magazine that's one year of your life if you get caught.

[@sirawesomemchandsome2702]

They just tabled a bill that repeals mandatory minimum sentences for exactly those crimes, among several others. Because "racism".

[@drmiles7546]

its not about the guns .... its about you and your property rights ... it starts with the guns and ends with you not owning anything ... remember owning anything is power....... land ........is a prime example of having power against the elites

[@americaofthenorth655]

We don't have a gun problem we have a criminal justice problem. We need to fire Judges that don't or won't prosecute criminal firearm offenders. No more hand holding for disadvantaged youths. Throw the book at them!

[@juliogonzo2718]

If it was really about saving lives, they would focus on the source of the majority of firearm homicides.

[@batsardcat3285]

Tell me how banning airsoft guns will stop crimes