Air Pistol Shooting in Toronto

Air guns, pellet guns and replica guns are as easy to buy as comic books. They can be purchased without question at many retail stores. They are inherently dangerous consumer products.

These fake guns are often used in robberies. The victim at the end of the barrel is in no position to judge if the gun is real or fake. SWAT teams have been mobilized to deal with people wielding toy or replica guns, and any person threatening to shoot people is at risk of being shot.

Realistic-looking toy guns and replica firearms comprise up to 40 per cent of guns seized by police. Fake guns are also a leading cause of the loss of an eye in children and young adults.

This kind of so-called "toy" perpetuates a culture of violence. A gun is a weapon used to kill or injure. It doesn't have any other purpose. One must seriously question what pleasure or constructive play toy guns really offer to kids and young adults.

Lightweight pellets that allow many air guns to fire a pellet at speeds faster than the legal threshold in Canada's firearms law are on the market. It is hard to understand why no laws address fake guns, when even plush toys are regulated under the federal Hazardous Products Act. Lawn darts are banned. Air guns have wreaked more havoc and injury than many products regulated under that federal act.

In the fall of 2000, the Ontario government introduced legislation to restrict the sale and purchase of most toy guns and imitation firearms. The legislation was supported by all parties as well as by police associations, safety groups and others.

The Canada Safety Council has urged the federal government to also take action on this obvious threat to public health and safety. With haste, these firearms must be brought into the loop of the federal government's gun control legislation, Bill C-68. The sooner the better! Public health, safety and crime prevention are the issues at hand.

July 14, 2003