As violent crime continues to afflict cities across Canada despite the Trudeau government’s attempts to crack down on legally-owned guns, the government is set to announce a National Day Against Gun Violence to raise awareness and conduct a national conversation about gun crime.
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino celebrated the move on Twitter as the Liberal government’s Bill C-21, which would cement the government’s ban on handgun sales in Canada, reaches its second reading in the Senate.
It’s official!
— Marco Mendicino (@marcomendicino) June 1, 2023
Tomorrow, June 2nd, will mark the first National Day Against Gun Violence.https://t.co/ZiL94Odks8
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mendicino are expected to announce further details about the proclamation later today in a press conference in Toronto.
Canadian Coalition for Firearms Rights spokesperson Tracey Wilson slammed the government’s approach to addressing gun crime.
“Could a government possibly do less?” wrote Wilson on Twitter.
“Canada is experiencing a 32% increase in violent crime, a 92% increase in gang homicide, our revolving door legal system spits violent, repeat offenders back onto the street thanks to Liberal policies and drugs flow like water.”
“This is a perfect example of being the worst, most ineffective, damaging, worthless government in the history of this country.”
Could a government possibly do less? Canada is experiencing a 32% increase in violent crime, a 92% increase in gang homicide, our revolving door legal system spits violent, repeat offenders back onto the street thanks to Liberal policies and drugs flow like water.
— Tracey Wilson (@TWilsonOttawa) June 1, 2023
What do they… https://t.co/Q7DNWBk2wG
Earlier this year, the Trudeau government withdrew an amendment to Bill C-21, which, in addition to handguns, would ban several rifles and shotguns used by hunters, farmers and sport shooters.
The amendment was heavily criticized by Canadian gun owners and Indigenous people.
Bill C-21 also aims to introduce “red flag” and “yellow flag” laws to expand the ways authorities can seize firearms from individuals who are believed to be a danger to themselves or others.
Last month, the Trudeau government announced new legislation on bail reform as premiers and police associations across the country pushed lawmakers to do more in addressing rising crime rates in major cities.
The new legislation implements reverse-onus bail conditions for those accused of severe violent offences with weapons, if they were previously convicted of a similar violent crime in the last five years or if the alleged crimes involve intimate partner violence or firearms.
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre reacted to the new measures saying that if he was prime minister, he would waive offenders’ rights to a bail hearing and require violent offenders to remain behind bars throughout their trial.
