(UK) Horden shootings: killer held six gun licences

[iverglas]

33. why do you imply this is not true of other comparable countries?

It absolutely is true of Canada and the UK, for example.

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/101026/dq101026a-eng.htm

Decline in gang-related homicides

Police reported 124 gang-related homicides in 2009, 14 fewer than in 2008. This decline was due mainly to a decrease in Alberta, where gang-related homicides dropped from 35 in 2008 to 13 in 2009.

Among the 10 largest CMAs, Winnipeg had the highest rate of gang-related homicides, followed by Vancouver. Police reported 30 gang-related homicides in Toronto, the most of any CMA. However, taking population into account, Toronto's rate per 100,000 population was third highest.

Firearm homicides down

Police reported 179 homicides committed with a firearm in 2009, 21 fewer than in 2008. In terms of rates, this was a 12% decline, reversing an upward trend recorded between 2002 and 2008. Prior to 2002, rates of firearm homicides had been declining since the mid-1970s.

Of the 179 firearm homicides, 112 involved handguns, 29 involved a rifle or shotgun and 14 a sawed-off rifle or shotgun. Declines were reported in all three of these categories in 2009.

Among the 10 largest CMAs, Vancouver and Toronto reported the highest rates of homicides committed with a firearm in 2009. Handguns remained the most common type of firearm involved in homicides in major metropolitan areas.

- Canada has a population roughly 1/9 the US
- legal purchase/possession of handguns in Canada is restricted to licensed sports shooters and collectors
- all of Canada's major urban centres have significant gang/drug problems (e.g. Hell's Angels at the importing, production and national/international distribution level, domestic gangs at the provincial/national level, local gangs at the street level, international gangs, e.g. Mexican and US, moving into specific areas)

Virtually all handgun homicides in Canada can be connected with gang/drug activity. Our gangs are not kinder and gentler than in the US. But they don't have as many handguns.