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Canada introduces new gun control measures Canada introduces tighter gun control measures
(8 days later)
Canada's federal Liberals have unveiled long-awaited gun control measures.Canada's federal Liberals have unveiled long-awaited gun control measures.
They include tougher background checks, including screening people with a history of violence.They include tougher background checks, including screening people with a history of violence.
Proposed measures also include making retailers keep records of gun inventories and sales and giving police access to the records when warranted.Proposed measures also include making retailers keep records of gun inventories and sales and giving police access to the records when warranted.
Crime rates in Canada have been on a long decline but gun-related homicides and gun violence have increased.Crime rates in Canada have been on a long decline but gun-related homicides and gun violence have increased.
The party campaigned in 2015 on a promise to make it harder to procure and use handguns and assault weapons.The party campaigned in 2015 on a promise to make it harder to procure and use handguns and assault weapons.
Gun violence in Canada is much lower than in the United States, but higher than in Europe and other many Western countries.Gun violence in Canada is much lower than in the United States, but higher than in Europe and other many Western countries.
Firearm offences have also been on the rise in Canada in recent years.Firearm offences have also been on the rise in Canada in recent years.
In 2016, here were 2,465 criminal violations involving firearms, an increase of 30% since 2013, according to federal government figures. In 2016, here were 2,465 criminal violations involving firearms, an increase of 30% since 2013, according to figures released by the federal government.
The government has been criticised for using 2013, a low crime year, as a baseline.
Toronto, Canada's largest city, has seen a steady increase in gun violence, with 392 shootings in 2017.Toronto, Canada's largest city, has seen a steady increase in gun violence, with 392 shootings in 2017.
Of all the murders in the US in 2012, 60% were by firearm compared with 31% in Canada.Of all the murders in the US in 2012, 60% were by firearm compared with 31% in Canada.
However, 18.2% of the murders in Australia were committed with guns and 10% in the UK.However, 18.2% of the murders in Australia were committed with guns and 10% in the UK.
Gun control has often sparked divisive debates in Canada, which has a large rural population where guns are widely owned and used.Gun control has often sparked divisive debates in Canada, which has a large rural population where guns are widely owned and used.
The new measures could cost the Liberals support in rural ridings in the coming 2019 federal election. The tighter measures could cost the Liberals support in rural ridings in the coming 2019 federal election.
Federal Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said on Tuesday the government is protecting the rights of legal gun owners and called the legislation "a sensible, practical package".Federal Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said on Tuesday the government is protecting the rights of legal gun owners and called the legislation "a sensible, practical package".
Proposed measures include:Proposed measures include:
Rod Giltaca, with the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights advocacy group, said he has some initial concerns with the newly tabled legislation.Rod Giltaca, with the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights advocacy group, said he has some initial concerns with the newly tabled legislation.
He is concerned by the provision that hands full authority of gun classifications - as non-restricted, restricted, or prohibited - over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).He is concerned by the provision that hands full authority of gun classifications - as non-restricted, restricted, or prohibited - over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
Owners of restricted and prohibited firearms require additional safety training. The guns must also be registered and their use is limited to certain activities, like target practice.Owners of restricted and prohibited firearms require additional safety training. The guns must also be registered and their use is limited to certain activities, like target practice.
The previous Conservative government ensured Cabinet had the ability to overrule the RCMP after the force made some controversial classification decisions.The previous Conservative government ensured Cabinet had the ability to overrule the RCMP after the force made some controversial classification decisions.
Mr Giltaca said verifying someone has a valid license when a firearm is transferred between owners "is reasonable".Mr Giltaca said verifying someone has a valid license when a firearm is transferred between owners "is reasonable".
Gun control advocates raised concerns the new bill does not go far enough in addressing all aspects of gun violence in Canada.Gun control advocates raised concerns the new bill does not go far enough in addressing all aspects of gun violence in Canada.