Though do you count those guns that people didn't register 20 years ago as bad ones because they were also illegal, or good ones because you consider it a bad law? And does it make any difference that a lot of those bad guns got stolen because people had them legally in the first place?
I'm not following what you're saying here. I'm not opposed to registering all firearms but as a compromise I'd like to see certain restrictions recinded.
I get your point on traveling with a weapon but when I was a kid we had to have bike licences. I don't see why registration should be arduous or expensive for regular guns.
In this case you would have 1 licence for your bike to drive around town but if your bike was black or had a basket then you're only allowed to drive your bike at the local bike park. If you have flames painted on your bike then you have to keep your bik at home on display in your garage :)
I'm personally not opposed to registering all guns. The last time they did it, the long gun registry which cost over 2 billion dollars, was a total fuck up. I was constantly getting sent the wrong registration cards with the wrong information and having to request new ones set (at a cost of $10 each).Finally gave up.
I think the biggest problem people have with registering long guns is that they're worried the government will decide X rifle is illegal and you have one week to turn them in to the RCMP or you'll go to jail if you're caught with it.
You should read about High River Alberta. During the floods the RCMP used illegally kept records of firearms that were suposed to be destroyed and used them to break into peoples houses to look for firearms. They denied it and said they were looking for survivors (which im sure in some cases they were) but the police returned to firearm owners houses multiple times in some cases to "look for people" and finally discover and confiscate guns. Non gun owners houses were only visted once.
Polticians wold be worse so what would you suggest? That is who should determine gun classifications?
Good point. Politicans could very well be worse I agree BUT the point is politicians are voted into office by us citizens. We put them in office and, ideally, our nations laws should be a reflection of what we as a society want (ie pot being legalized). It's a conflict of interest to have police make the laws then turn around and enforce them. Police shouldn't make the laws, soldiers shouldn't decide when to go to war, maybe teachers shouldn't decide school cirriculum?
I'm not a fan of any politician but we can vote them out of office if they're all fucked up. Imagine if police decided the law should be such that they can randomly stop you on the street, search your person and vehicle and cell phone? they make that law then enforce it? Not good.
Are there ways to make the laws more effective in preventing the misuse of firearms including for crime?
Nothing will prevent the misuse of firearms but it can be mitigated I think. I'd move to register every firearm while removing the classification system. Some other changes but primairily try and shift the feeling of gun owners that they're scrutinized more than criminals to being partners with law enforcement to combat crime. Not physically but reporting and tips. I called the RCMP once to report a guy trying to buy a gun without a licence and the RCMP totally treated me like shit, I couldn't believe it.
