The chief of the Edmonton Police Service told MPs last week that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s handgun ban wouldn’t make a dent on violent gun crime and, instead, could actually harm the efforts of law enforcement to tackle gun trafficking.
According to Blacklock’s Reporter, Chief Dale McFee told the House of Commons public safety committee on Thursday that he has concerns that in the short-term the ban would lead to a spike in smuggling.
“I just want to say I have concerns and certainly the Edmonton Police Service has concerns about the logistics, resources and long term impacts of portions of this proposed handgun freeze,” said McFee.
“In the short term we can expect those wanting to acquire guns will find alternatives including increased incidences of smuggling.”
McFee isn’t the only law enforcement official to recently speak out about the supposed effectiveness of the ban.
“Our problem in Toronto are handguns from the United States,” said Toronto Deputy Police Chief Myron Demkiw in February.
“The issues around investing in what you described is certainly not going to deal with the crime problem we’re facing in Toronto, as it relates to the use of criminal handguns.”
When first announcing the policy earlier this year, Trudeau painted Bill C-21 as a way to tackle gun crime.
“It is our duty to take urgent action to remove these deadly weapons from our communities,” said Trudeau.
“We’re keeping more guns out of our communities and keeping our kids safe.”
The gun ban will go into effect on Nov. 9 and includes bans on the import of handguns, among other things.
Bill C-21 could also “limit (police’s) ability to trace transactions originating in the United States” according to McFee.
“This may also increase the commodity value and motivate individuals including lawful firearms owners to sell their handguns through illegal channels knowing the restrictions drive up monetary value,” explained McFee.
