Paul Martin declares war on hand guns !

CTV.ca CTV News copyright.

Liberal Leader Paul Martin is proposing a sweeping ban on handguns to combat growing gun-related violence in Canada's cities.

"Handguns kill people -- that's why they exist, and they're taking too many Canadian lives," said Martin during his "safer communities announcement" at a school near Toronto's violence-plagued Jane and Finch area this morning.
Details of the Liberal proposal include:

* a new 250 officer unit from the RCMP dedicated solely to fighting gun-related crimes, as well as other organized crime and drug trafficking;
* 75 new officers at Canada Border Services to combat illegal importation of handguns from the U.S.;
* tougher sentences for gun-related crimes, by changing the Criminal Code to double the mandatory minimum sentences for such crimes;
* encouraging community-based gun prevention, with help from a $50-million Gun Violence and Gang Prevention Fund to focus on youth at risk;
* waving the re-registration fees for owners of long guns in order to encourage compliance with the Canada Firearms Program; and
* a gun amnesty and buy-back program that draws from an Australian model, including a gun stoppers initiative aimed at ensuring the turn-in of illegal weapons.

CLICK HERE for entire CTV NEWS article on hand gun policy announcement by Prime Minister Paul Martin.

Michael McCafferty comments:

A few weeks ago on this blog I called for stronger laws and policies with respect to hand guns in Canada. Unlike most conservatives I am in favor of a total ban on handguns except for those in law enforcement positions such as the RCMP and police.

Prime Minister Martin has made a sweeping policy announcement on hand guns and I believe it is a step in the right direction in bringing law and order to cities plaugued by hand gun murders.

I for one welcome this war on hand guns.