Gun Control in Canada Gun Control is an important issue to Canadians. Canada has both provincial and federal legislation that restricts the sale, purchase, and use of different kinds of firearms. The United States, on the other hand, do not have federal or state bills restricting the possession or use of firearms, only local laws exist there. A firearm consists of any barreled weapon from which a shot, bullet or other missile can be fired and that is capable of causing serious bodily harm or death. Society’s concerns about protection from violent crimes involving firearms have encouraged Canadian Parliament to pass tougher gun control legislation. The Federal Government responded by passing Bill C-68 that created the Firearms Act, …show more content…
In 1892 was the first government step in licensing firearms. A basic permit for pistols was introduced in the Criminal Code. In 1913 it became a criminal offence to sell or distribute firearms to anyone under 16 years old. Government finally recognized that children should not have possession of a firearm. Until 1934 firearm registration was rarely an enforced offence. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police kept records of those purchasing firearms. Handguns had to be re-registered every five years starting in 1939. It also became an offence to alter the serial numbers on guns as records were kept and gun transactions were being monitored. 1951 was the next step in gun control legislation having automatic fire guns added to the list of firearms that were to be registered. A list to categorize firearms as ‘restricted weapons’ and ‘prohibited weapons’ was created in 1968 (“History of Firearms”, 2000). By this time police were become allowed to search and seize firearms with a judge issued warrant or if they had reasonable grounds that the safety of the public was at stake. On August 5, 1977 Bill C-51 was given royal assent. This bill imposed stricter penalties for those convicted of an indictable offence where a firearm had been used. Bill C-51 also created the requirement of a Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC) to properly screen those purchasing guns and to keep records of firearms purchased. A FAC had to be renewed
Gun violence is serious social problem and Canada has a long history of firearms control. However, increasing costs to the Canadian Firearms Program (CFP) has made it a lightning rod for criticism from both pro and anti-gun advocates. Reports out of the media and Auditor General Sheila Fraser paint a picture of inefficiency, incompetence and mismanagement.
The National firearm act of 1934 regulating only fully automatic firearms like sub-machine guns is approved by Congress. Then Roosevelt wins approval of the National Firearms Act of 1938, which requires the licensing of interstate gun dealers, who must record their sales. It prohibits sales to individuals under accusation or convicted of crimes of violence. The Gun Control Act of 1968 was passed for the purpose of keeping firearms out of the hands of those not legally permitted to possess them because of age, criminal background, or incompetence. In 1972 the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms is created listing as part of its mission the control of illegal use and sale of firearms and the enforcement of Federal firearms laws. The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act enforces a five-day waiting period on the purchase of a handgun and requires that local law enforcement agencies conduct background checks on purchasers of handguns. Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 band all sale, manufacture, importation, or possession of a number of specific types of assault weapons. Given this information you
"Only Canada, the Women's Shelters and the Coalition (for gun control) argue that the Firearms Act and related provisions under the Criminal Code are, in their entirety, within the constitutional power of Parliament. All of the other interveners, with the exception of Ontario, support Alberta's position that the licensing and registration provisions infringe on the province's jurisdiction in relation to "property and civil rights" [under s.92 (13) of the
In about every nation, gun control has always been an issue of controversy. Gun control laws are quite different from country to country, each possessing different requirements, specifications, and ordinances, so on and so on. What will be examined are the specified gun control laws in three international countries, ranging from Canada, Australia, and Japan, as well as a comparison and contrast of the the similarities and unique differences toward American gun control laws and those in other countries, and finally, the effects of having loose gun control laws. Unlike America, these countries possess stricter laws regarding gun control.
In light of the stereotyped, yet nonetheless accurate, obsession of firearms that the American people proudly uphold, restricting the use of guns proves to be a much more difficult feat than one would have you believe. “America 's pervasive gun culture stems in part from its colonial history, revolutionary roots, frontier expansion, and the Second Amendment”.
Gun control is among top controversial issues that affect the people of USA (Lund, 2015). The battle on who is allowed to own a gun has received debates from different sides. This has therefore called for constitutional reforms in bills and laws that govern the use of firearms. Firearm regulations help to set policies which govern, regulate on acquisition and access to guns by civilians. In the USA many changes have been made concerning manufacturing, selling and transportation of
To help apply restrictions, the Gun Control Act of 1968, which was the first gun law, was passed in the wake of the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Senator Robert F. Kennedy earlier that year (“Restricting” par. 4). The 1968 Gun Control Act established categories of prohibited gun purchasers and possessors, including convicted felons, fugitives from justice, minors, individuals with a history of
Currently in the United states there are over 18,000 firearm laws in place. The first federally mandated firearm law was the National Firearm Act of 1934. This firearm act, which is still in place today, required a Federal Firearms License to be obtained by anyone in the business of buying, selling, and manufacturing firearms. The National Firearms Act also required all NFA firearms to be registered with the Secretary of the Treasury. NFA firearms at the creation of the NFA included rifles and shotguns with a barrel length under 18 inches, machine guns, and firearm silencers. To purchase any of these firearms a $200.00 tax was imposed on every transaction with one of these firearms in an effort to prevent criminals from purchasing such firearms as they were said to have been popular with the gangsters of that era. The Bureau of Alcohol tobacco and Firearms defines a machine gun as a firearm with select fire capabilities. Select fire means that the firearm has both full and semi automatic fire capabilities. Semi automatic means that for every one pull of the trigger, one bullet will be fired. Fully automatic means that for as long as the trigger is pulled, the firearms will continue to fire. On May 19th 1986, the Firearm Owners Protection Act prevented the sale and transfer of machine guns produced after May 1986. This provision excluded machine guns registered before May 1986 and machine guns sold to government agencies. With only
The first modern American gun-control law was the National Firearm Act of 1934. It was passed in an effort to curb mass shooting of that time (The Washington Post, 2012). This law was followed by the National Firearms Act of 1938, the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, the Brady
The reason why our nation is allowed to bear a large quantity of firearms is due to the Second Amendment of our constitution, which specifically states, "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." (U.S. Const. am. 2) Because of how vague this amendment is when it comes to law interpretation, it is often used by gun advocates to argue for lenient gun laws. Even though the Second Amendment prevents the federal government from completely banning guns in America, there are still restrictions on the distribution and possession of firearms. Each of the states have their own specific gun laws but generally, a person must obtain a license or permit to purchase or possess a firearm. Also, another thing to note is that all states allow some form of concealed carry, which is carrying a concealed firearm in public. Despite the laws that allow the bearing and distribution of guns, society has multiple viewpoints concerning the usage and appropriateness of the freedom of having the "right to bear arms."
There is a need in this country for gun control laws as well as benefits for the citizenry who own them. With the current state of our society these days, owning a gun has become a necessity for some, if not all, household. I, myself, conform for every household having a gun. Although we have our police force always ready to rescue anyone in distress, every second matters when we are facing face to face with danger. Granted that the authorities are already underway, having something on hand to defend one’s self is the most important thing for the time being. Though I believe that everybody needs to be educated on how to protect our own safety in a close contact combat, it is as important as being knowledgeable in handling and using guns for short-range/long-range threats. Ideally, having knowledge of both is of greater advantage. However, if one can’t have both, owning a gun can always come in handy. But, should we regulate or ban the use of weapons? My standpoint is No. With this in mind, it is necessary to be informed of the responsibilities, advantages and disadvantages of owning a gun. Additionally, we will tackle the National Firearms Act of 1934, which addresses taxing the firearms that only covers two types of handguns. Even more, the Gun Control Act of 1968, the legislation that was passed to regulate interstate and foreign commerce in firearms which includes the importation, prohibited persons and licensing provisions. As well as the Brady Law,
There is a timeline that distinguishes the gun-control laws from 1791 up until 1994. In 1791 the Second Amendment Ratified. It stated that the right of the people to bare fire-arms should not be infringed. In 1871 the National Rifle Association was founded. In 1934 the National Firearms Act was put in place. President Franklin D. Roosevelt hoped this act would eliminate the used of automatic weapons. In 1938 the Federal Firearms Act was enforced. This law was aimed at those selling and shipping firearms. In 1968 the Gun-Control Act was placed. This was inspired by the assassination of John F. Kennedy. In 1972 the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms was created. Enforcement of the Gun Control Act was given to the Dept. of the Treasury 's
In 1934, a law called the National Firearms Act, had been set in motion to successfully ban automatic weapons from citizens so that the only ones allowed to have automatic weapons were the police, military, and people with written
Scholarly Essay: Gun Control There has been considerable debate recently in Canada over the issue of gun control. The Canadian parliament enacted the Firearms Act to enforce gun control by requiring gun owners to register their firearms. Just recently, the government of Alberta lead in a charge, including five other provinces and numerous pro-gun groups, complaining that the law is unconst...
Gun control had been a phenomenal issue in our country. In December 15, 1791 the second amendment established in the top ten amendments in the Constitution by James Madison. The amendment stated that people have a rights to bear arm to protect themself, their loved ones and their property. To legally get a gun you have to be 21 years old and over, without