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Home > News > Vol. XLII No.3, July 1998 > New Firearms Act Aims for Safety

New Firearms Act Aims for Safety

Every year, some 1,300 Canadians die from firearm suicides, homicides or accidents. At least 1,300 more Canadians have to be hospitalized each year as a result of firearm wounds. In most cases, the firearm involved is a common hunting rifle or shotgun.

That is one of the reasons why the new Firearms Act requires all firearms, including hunting rifles and shotguns, to be registered by January 1, 2003. By holding firearm owners more responsible and personally accountable for their firearms, registration will add one more incentive for owners to store their firearms securely, in order to prevent loss, theft or accidents. It will also discourage owners from giving or lending a firearm to someone they don't know or trust.

In addition to firearms registration, the Act requires all firearms owners and users to have a firearms licence. A background check is mandatory for licence applicants, to see if anything in an applicant's recent past (within the previous five years), indicates that he or she could be a threat to public safety. There are also specific safety training requirements for people seeking a licence to acquire firearms.

Firearms safety is everyone's concern. To make people more aware of the safe storage, transportation and display requirements, the Canadian Firearms Centre (CFC) last fall conducted a nationwide radio campaign. The Centre has also produced easy-to-read pamphlets for firearm owners. These pamphlets, and other information on the Firearms Act and regulations, are available for free by calling 1-800-731-4000. The information is also available on the CFC website.

Guns in the US and Canada

Americans are three times more likely than Canadians to own firearms, and five times more likely to own a handgun.
The rate of firearm homicides is seven times higher in the US than in Canada. The handgun homicide rate is 15 times higher.
The American rate of robberies involving firearms is almost 3.5 times the Canadian rate; the firearm suicide rate is two times higher; and Americans are three times more likely to be killed unintentionally by a firearm.
The firearm suicide rate is twice as high in the US as Canada, and Americans are three times more likely than Canadians to be killed accidentally by a firearm.
American police officers are seven times more likely than Canadian officers to be killed in the line of duty - almost always by firearms.
Both countries maintain a strong tradition of firearms use for hunting and sport shooting.

Firearms and Self-Defense: A Comparison of Canada and the United States by Thomas Gabor, Ph.D.

To obtain the full report contact the Canadian Firearms Centre or visit the CFC website.

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