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Handgun ban off target

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"It's just stupid," concludes Brad Doucette, summing up Prime Minister Paul Martin's daydream of an out-right ban on handguns in Canada to combat violence rocking the streets of our larger cities. "I can't see how this can help. I don't see that this would make a difference," said Doucette, Edmonton Police Service's acting inspector, who heads up the organized crime unit and is no stranger to murders.

Here we go again. Another folly in controversial gun laws that have cost Canadians more than $2 billion since the Liberals brought in Bill C-68 on Dec. 5, 1995. The initial cost was was put at "a few millions."

Aside from introducing a national gun registry, Bill C-68 was a glossed-over rehash of the old laws that fooled who were Canadians ignorant of laws in place prior to 1995. Martin now wants to ban handguns except for police and target shooters. Bill C-68 already imposes that ban. And prior to Bill C-68, that was always the law.

More puzzling yet, the feds wouldn't be imposing the ban. Martin wants an amendment to the Criminal Code leaving it to the discretion of provinces to pass the prohibition law as they see fit. This is irrational.

Handguns are already prohibited under Bill C-68, except for collectors and target shooters. Most handgun crimes are committed by people who don't legally own those weapons. They get them through the black market, smuggled in from the United States or taken during break-ins.

Gang-related violence is at the root of most shootouts. Members won't part with their handguns. This is organized crime. It's a turf war over illegal, lucrative markets like drugs and prostitution. Killing is a byproduct in that industry of mega-dollars.

Al Koenig, president of the Calgary Police Association, says: "Banning handguns simply doesn't work. Banning any kind of guns will not eliminate them. We've seen it in the past."

Alberta Premier Ralph Klein observes: "A ban. That's fine. You can say ban handguns. That's like saying ban sugar, ban coffee, ban cigarettes, ban anything. You can say 'ban it' ... but it's not going to stop the bad guys from getting a handgun and shooting someone."

Former Calgary police officer Darryl Blink adds: "You know, if he (Martin) took (guns) away from all of us, the criminals would still have them."

Hungry for votes, it was no coincidence that Martin flaunted his proposal while campaigning in the Jane-Finch neighbourhood in Toronto, a largely black community ravaged by handgun violence in recent years. Toronto police Chief Bill Blair blames a gang turf war.

Handgun ownership in Canada is already virtually banned, say criminologists, legal experts and police. "I thought our ban was pretty absolute so I'm having trouble understanding whether (Martin) is actually proposing something, or he's just trying to get brownie points," said Alan Young, a criminal law expert at York University in Toronto.

Tony Cannavino, president of the Canadian Professional Police Association, observes: "It's a nice principle, but at the end of the day handgun ownership is already prohibited or restricted."

Handguns in Canada have been registered and tightly controlled since the 1930s. It takes a lot to be licensed. It requires multiple licences which often involves a lengthy waiting time.

A gun licence, including a mug shot on the card, is required to allow the purchase. It is obtained only after criminal records and the applicant's mental state are checked. Applicants must also be members of a strictly-controlled shooting club.

Once the handgun is bought and registered, target shooters must apply for an Authorization to Transport licence, allowing them to take their guns - unloaded, trigger-locked and in a secure box - from their home to the shooting range. When target practice is over, they must take the "most direct route home" - no stopping for a litre of milk at the local grocery store.

How much tougher can it be? Paul Martin just doesn't get it.

- Rick Zemanek is an Advocate editor.