We’re always quick to point the trigger at the U.S. for having a gun violence problem, but we should start looking in our own backyard as well.
And, especially here in B.C, far too many gun incidents are hitting close to home.
One dead in a shooting at a Salmon Arm church. Four killed in a gun spree in Penticton. Constant shootings in Surrey and around other parts of the Lower Mainland every few days.
The U.S. may have its mass shootings like the one in Las Vegas in October of 2017 and numerous school incidents on its poor track record the last few years.
But Canada’s had way too large a share of deaths from shootings lately and we don’t seem to be getting it under control.
So how safe are we on the streets, in our churches or other public locations?
The bulk of the Canadian incidents seem to be targeted while there’s certainly more random shooters going on the loose in the U.S. Targeted or not, it doesn’t make the deaths any less unnerving.
Responsible gun owners who possess them for hunting or protection always hate it when the topic comes up, but it must be addressed. More needs to be done to ensure those with permits to own guns are not a danger to the public.
It’s too easy to get a gun in the U.S. and Canada and it shouldn’t be, no matter what the circumstances.
There are too many people with mental health issues or involved in the drug trade with a vast array of weapons. We need to weed them out and make it more difficult for them to possess a firearm.
If that makes things a little inconvenient for the people who own guns and are not going to run around firing at people, then so be it.
A more comprehensive registration system needs to be undertaken for the majority of the population’s protection.
That should be the primary concern.