Feds host summit to address gun, gang violence across Canada

OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) – The federal government is hoping to crack down and enhance background checks for gun buyers in this country.

A summit brought together a wide variety of experts and stakeholders, from mayors and law enforcement to academia and community organizations.

While those in attendance discussed many strategies to try to tackle the problem of gangs and guns, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale says a priority for the federal government is enhancing background checks for people looking to buy guns.

“Upgrading legislation to make it harder for criminals to have access to firearms and to enhance public safety,” says Goodale. “Dealing with the issue of background checks to ensure that that is a system that actually serves the interests of public safety.”

He wouldn’t give many details, but did point to a promise made by the Liberals and says work is underway. “Work on the legislation is ongoing, but I can tell you that its content will be consistent with what we described in our election platform.”

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Bill Blair, the parliamentary secretary to justice, says this goes beyond rule changes and there needs to be more coordinated efforts across the country.

“This is a complex issue that manifests itself in different ways, in different communities,” he says. “So there’s no one-size-fits-all, but working together we can find solutions.”

The gun bill could include enhanced background checks for buyers, but Toronto Mayor John Tory also wants to see more safeguards in place when people buy multiple firearms.

“There is no case I can think of where anybody should be just going out and purchasing 47 guns or 12 guns without a red flag,” says Tory.

Goodale says he wants to keep guns out of the wrong hands, and will try to do that with upcoming legislation. “Our measures will prioritize public safety, while being fair and practical for firearms owners and businesses.”

The number of firearm-related homicides in Canada hit 223 in 2016 — up 44 from 2015.

Last year the feds promised more than $300-million to tackle gun violence and gangs, and Goodale says that funding will be flexible and targeted towards the most impacted regions .