Canada would freeze import, sale or purchase of handguns under new legislation

By Barry Ellsworth

TRENTON, Canada (AA) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took aim at gun control Monday, including a national freeze on handguns, because it is "the responsible thing to do."

Speaking at a press conference, Trudeau cited the 2017 Quebec mosque shooting where six worshippers were killed and 19 wounded by a lone gunman as an example of why tougher gun control is necessary.

"This should never happen," he said. "It is our moral duty to act."

Other measures include taking away gun licenses from those who have committed family violence or criminal harassment while long guns would be capped at five rounds of ammunition.

Since guns flow into Canada illegally from the US, Trudeau said he will beef up personnel and provide more money to fight gun smuggling into Canada at the border. Illegal trafficking in and smuggling of guns will also be subjected to harsher penalties, he said.

While the legislation must be passed by parliament before it comes into effect, the Liberal-New Democratic Party coalition holds a majority and the gun control bill is likely to become law.

The new measures include a so-called "red-flag law" where people who are considered a threat to themselves or others would be forced to give up their firearms to police.

Figures show that between 2009-2019, the criminal use of firearms increased 81%, Statistics Canada reported. In 2020, there were 8,344 victims involving guns, according to a report by the Canadian Centre for Justice and Community Safety.

Around 10 days ago, 10 people were gunned down at a Buffalo, New York grocery store, and a few days later, 19 students and two teachers died in a hail of bullets at a school in Uvalde, Texas.

"People should be able to go to the supermarket (and) school...in safety," Trudeau said.

Speaking of the American tragedies, Trudeau said previously that Canadians are "remarkably united" in wanting to reduce gun violence in Canada.