______
Date

The Honourable Steven Blaney, P.C., M.P.

Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

House of Commons

Ottawa (Ontario) K1A 0A6

Dear Minister,

I am deeply concerned by the increased risks of gun violence since your government destroyed the records on 5.6 million rifles and shotguns, and eliminated the registration of these guns, as well as the obligation for a seller to verify that a buyer holds a valid gun licence. Bill C-42 introduced in 2014 has amplified this concern as it proposes, among other things, to weaken controls on handguns and other restricted weapons. It also proposes to allow the government instead of the RCMP to determine which weapons are prohibited or restricted, increasing gun industry and the gun lobby influence over public safety decisions.

Facilitating access to firearms elevates the risk of them ending up in the wrong hands. It is astonishing that we now have to fight even to protect our long standing controls on handguns. Bill C-42 proposes inadequate controls that will make it easier for legal guns to be diverted to illegal markets. These measures increase the risks that guns will be used in domestic violence and suicides, particularly youth suicide, which could result in increased fatalities.

I ask that your government urgently:

ü  Stop Bill C-42;

ü  Close the loophole that allows dealers and individuals to sell guns without verifying the validity of the buyer’s licence. This loophole is known to have allowed violent spouses whose licence was revoked to acquire guns in the past;

ü  Give police a mechanism to trace guns so that prohibition orders against abusive partners can be properly enforced.

Research has shown that the number of homicides and injuries caused by firearms progressively decreases as gun control measures are strengthened. I fear what might happen if Canada weakens its gun-related safety measures any further.

Canada is one of the only countries on the globe whose gun control legislation is regressing. Other countries continue to work towards more rigorous laws that allow for improved public security and counter the illicit firearm trade.

I look forward to your response.

Yours truly.

______
Signature

______
Name

______

______

Address