March 7, 2005

Gun Amnesty

Chief Edgar MacLeod
President
Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police

Dear Chief MacLeod:

Canadians from coast-to-coast were saddened by the horrible shooting tragedies in Mayerthorpe, Alberta last week that left five dead, including four dedicated officers of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

The laws governing the registration, security and storage of firearms should, indeed, have been enough to prevent those terrible tragedies.

As you are all too well aware, on a per use basis, guns wreak more havoc, injury and death than any other consumer product. Extensive efforts and resources are directed to promoting traffic safety and fire safety with significant results. Guns are by far more deadly on a per use basis than automobiles. Yet they are, in general, subject to fewer restrictions and far fewer resources have been devoted to reducing deaths and injuries associated with their use.

Problems associated with easy access to firearms have been well documented and argued by experts. There is general consensus among police, public health and safety experts that access to guns is a major factor in gun related crime, accidents and suicides and that gun control will save lives and prevent injuries.

Gun amnesty programs have been successful in many communities in reducing the number of firearms in the hands of citizens.

In light of those tragic shootings, we ask your Association to announce a national gun amnesty program for your members and other policing jurisdictions. We are convinced such a program, especially at this time, would be most successful — the end result being to reduce the number of firearms, inherently dangerous consumer products, in communities across Canada and an accompanying reduction in the risk of crime, suicides and accidental deaths and injuries associated with their use.

Sincerely yours,

Emile-J. Therien
President
Canada Safety Council

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