Toronto’s mayor didn’t waste any time blaming the city’s “gun problem” for last night’s attack. (Photo: Screenshot)
Few details have emerged about the murderer who killed two and injured 13 Monday night in Toronto. But that hasn’t stopped the city’s highest officials from leveraging the attack to support their anti-gun agenda.
“I’ve said for some time that the city has a gun problem, that guns are far too readily available to far too many people,” Toronto Mayor John Tory said in a press conference.
“As I’ve said repeatedly, this is an international problem and this is a domestic problem,” he continued. “There are far too many people carrying around guns in our city and our region who should not have them.”
Tory is referencing the city’s rising rates of firearm-related crime. Despite Toronto’s draconian gun laws, nearly twice as many people were injured in shootings in each of the last four years than were injured in 2014. Gun-related homicide rates have risen as well, though not as markedly.
Purchasing a handgun in Canada is already nearly impossible. The seven-step process, as outlined by The Toronto Star, requires a proficiency course, references, permits, registration, background checks, and, of course, money:
- Join an accredited shooting club.
- Complete a safety course and pass both a written and a practical test.
- Ask for two references.
- Apply for a permit, and wait 28 days before processing begins.
- Pass a background check that considers your criminal record, mental health, addiction and domestic violence history.
- Buy a gun.
- Register it with the police before taking it home.
That isn’t enough for Tory. He further proposes limiting the number of firearms an individual can buy and even outlawing firearms entirely.
“You’ve heard me ask the question why anyone would need to buy ten or twenty guns, which they can lawfully do under the present laws,” he said. “And that leads to another question we need to discuss: why does anyone in this city need to have a gun at all?”
SEE ALSO: UK Gun Ban Not Working, Gun Crime is on the Rise
Tory neglects to mention that one of the people injured or killed in Monday night’s attack could reasonably be said to have needed a gun, but that likely isn’t the “answer” he’s looking for.
“I know even answering that question won’t fully eliminate tragedies like this,” he opined. “But even if we can prevent one of these incidents, then in my view it is a discussion worth having, and having very soon.”
Officials have yet to reveal how the attacker acquired his handgun.
Toronto was a safe city in the late sixties. What or who happened???? Immigration perhaps?????
I don’t question the type of cars you own, how many children you have, pets you care for, nor anything about your personal lifestyle. Don’t worry about why I feel I need a gun. I’m allowed, therefore I will. It’s none of your damn business how many and what type I have. Self-Protection. Hunting. Recreation. In case I need to protect the country I swore to protect.
Who cares what some socialist from another America wanna be thinks. Canada was a great country at one time. It been destroyed by globalisers. Now their EU wanna be’s.
Toronto mayor said very well. I agree with his point of view.
Why is a Canada necessary, except for a haven for polar bears?
Canada is needed as a area to allow Muslims to enter the USA.
It also is necessary to have a “safe place” for the liberals to say they are going to run to when they “feel upset”.
appears we’re doing all that down here now……..
This guy is an idiot ”why does anyone need a gun at all” The cop is someone so he does not need a gun? I bet he has bodyguards who are armed. As for having more guns I carry different gun depending where I am going and what i’m doing. If i’m going to a heavy crowded place will carry smaller caliber like 380 so as not to have the bullet pass thru and hit someone else. Otherwise I will carry larger cal like 45. I have been collecting for 33 years and my firearms have gone up in value . For example one firearm I bought for about $4000.00 new now cost over $ 9000.00 for the same gun new, another old used firearm I inherited from step grandfather is now worth in excess of $25000.00. My collection is worth more that my retirement funds. Thats one reason I collect, the other is plinking is fun.Between firearms and Snapon tools my retirement is covered.
The 1st 5 steps sound kind of like Jim Crow era rules regulating blacks access to the voting both.
Another foolish politician that allows emotion to over rule intellect. This seems to be at epidemic level across the globe. Please people, do some research and critical thinking before voting for people infected with emotional blindness EB (allowing emotion to cloud rational, logical thinking).
Why does Toronto need a mayor??
If only the police & military have guns, then only the police & military will be safer.
Way too stupid to be mayor of anywhere.
I wonder how, with all the gun laws they have, they are going to control all the criminals and mentally ill that have guns (I’m sure they got them legally) who are perpetrating most of their gun violence
Mayor Tory, why do you need an armed body guard, ya dumb POS?
Why do politicians and celebrities need armed security guards. What makes them anymore special that my family. Why do they deserve to feel safe when we aren’t entitled to the safe benefit. Why are police officers allowed to run rampant throwing people on the ground for any reason the see fit. Why aren’t all of the above held to the same legal requirements as the rest of us. So many questions so few answers.
Watch out……your anti-police attitude is showing. I don’t think the police are “allowed to run rampant”. My, but that is a really narrow minded, fact less, emotionally driven question you asked. If you don’t like how your police conduct themselves while on duty you should make your local and state leaders aware of your jaundiced point of view. They, too, will laugh at you just like the rest of us are doing. You should ask for a ride out with an officer, deputy or constable and see what they deal with. It might open your eyes to the difficulty they have to deal with each and every shift they pull. You really should do that….unless you’re too afraid you might change your opinion. Oh…but then you’d have to start running with another group of friends who aren’t emotionally attached to the professional “victim” ideology the left is consumed by.
The Michigan State police are being accused of taking millions of dollars from carry permit fees and misusing it, does that make me a “victim” because I have zero respect for a group that EVERY one of them follows the blue line of silence?
If one is bad and the rest ignore it, that makes them all, what heros?
Most people are slowly learning what they are about, “qualified immunity” is the worst thing that is allowed to happen, basically a free get out of jail card.
Tory is a Rosedale snob who panders to the liberal elites. (He’ll say anything to get elected). As long as that idiot PM of Canada Trudeau is in ‘power’ and imports all these Muslim extremists that like to murder people at random, it’s imperative that citizens are able to defend themselves with firearms.
These idiot coward politicians that bitch and complain about people owning guns, I say disarm their security details. If they don’t like firearms then no one around them should have any
Looking at the original article or post I just want to clarify a couple of things that the author mentioned.
Purchasing a handgun in Canada. There are 2 reasons allowed for purchasing a handgun (ie one with a barrel length > 4.25 inches which makes it restricted): first – for target practice as a member of a legitimate licensed shooting club (unless you are fortunate enough to have a private licensed range on your rural property that’s licensed for restricted firearms), and second – you are a collector (and you need to be able to describe uniqueness of firearms that you want to collect in order to justify this). Getting the license is mostly like what the author described except that part of the process at step 5 allows your spouse/significant whatever (or former spouse if you are separated or divorced) to independently report a safety concern if you were to be allowed to obtain and keep a firearm. Handguns have been “restricted” since 1969 (requiring additional steps/checks to be able to acquire them). 1991 saw the introduction of “Prohibited” handguns – certain makes/models prohibited by name and/or caliber and any handgun with a barrel shorter that 105mm / 4.25 inches became prohibited. Owners who had registered (legal) possession of “prohibited” handguns prior to 1991 where grandfathered and could continue to own / buy / sell similar “12(6) ” prohibited handguns but only with other 12(6) grandfathered owners and businesses licensed for prohib status. This was actually a bonus as many owners of rifles like Steyr Aug, FN series of rifles, anything that had been converted from full auto to semi either had to surrender them with no compensation OR for some rifles they could keep them under a different grandfather clause – 12(3) I think – but they’ve since lost the privilege of being able to take them to the range. There is virtually no carry here except for a rare handful who have been able to show (to police satisfaction) threat to life where the police couldn’t protect (irony here is one of the strongest and outspoken anti-gun lobbyists has or had a carry permit because of threats to her life). SO … hunting with non-restricted rifles provided you have the license for them, you have a hunting license (with the requisite safety courses) and of course tags for whatever game you’re going to be hunting.
Part of the problem with Toronto is that it is incredibly “urban”. Majority of the people there wouldn’t know where to hunt or how never mind that there are registered and licensed ranges (one of the oldest ranges in Canada used to be “hidden” at the uppper levels of the old Toronto Union Station rail passenger terminal – membership was pretty much by invitation only – you had to know someone – and i believe it was .22 only. At least one of our Olympic shooters trained there – until it was shut down by a previous Toronto mayor years ago). Go 45 minutes out from the city (or any other big city) and that changes. Population speaks tho and controls the voting and that shapes who gets in and what they stand for.
The other comments posted here aren’t wrong it’s just that the mindset here is so different from that in the US. Even more so between those that only hunt vs those that do own collect use handguns for legitimate purposes.
The last federal government made concrete steps towards making the firearms laws a little more reasonable without relaxing the checks and safety part. It was a compromise but Firearms owners in Canada are used to new rules and more restrictions not the other way around. The new “liberal” federal government is actively pursuing rollback and new restrictions. Events like the shooting in Toronto and the ongoing gun crime add fuel to that fire. The sad truth is that they have a majority government and they can enact anything they choose. Individual members of parliament have to vote “the party line” unless a free vote is called and allowed (and on something like this that will never happen).
So it is what it is. Interesting part too is that for those with the Restricted License buying an AR-15 type rifle isn’t complicated (AKs are prohibited) – just have to wait the time for the restricted to be “transferred” by the Chief Provincial Firearms Office and a transport permit be issued. Can’t hunt with it or shoot on private property needs to be a registered licensed range. However there are new rifles on the marked that are based on the AR-10 design that are not restricted (AR-15 and all derivatives are restricted in legislation by virtue of the fact that they are specifically named as such – AR-10’s mostly aren’t).
Mr. Mayor considering what you have stated “why does anyone need a gun ” ? May I suggest you lead by example and disarm your body guards !
“Why does anyone need a gun at all?” How about because they make machetes?
Enough said……or at least the real facts!!!!
It\’s a cartoon so snowflakes and libtards can keep up!
The police only investigate after the crime, they only draw chalk lines around the victim. I perfer they draw chalk lines around the perpetrator. Carry a gun everywhere.
What are these guys using for brains. They continue to enact more laws yet the shooting increases. Do they not get that laws are totally ineffective against curbing violence.
I fled the great white north years ago as the continued rise of socialism makes me puke. Unfortunately it is occurring here at an accelerated rate to; Land of the Free ain’t so free any more. Dipsh*ts abound down here as I’m sure you well know.
If you want to see heads explode here in any libtards area; tweet or post that all illegal,aliens are criminals!
It’s undisputed….and a fact; they broke laws entering the USA, period. But I digress another discussion for another time.
It’s about CONTROL people. I’m am sooooo relieved that I as a law abiding individual have the ability to provide safety and security for me and my family 24/7, LEO’s bless their souls just arrive too late after the ambulance and slightly before the Medical Examiner; they are investigators not preventers …!
As a “responsible and law abiding” individual I gladly take on the responsibility of this role for the family and myself by training/practice.
I will unabashedly admit that my skills sets up tactically/firearm/empty hand/ edge weapon are considerably higher than the majority of street cops guaranteed……. And it is my intention to always maintain a high level of proficiency in these areas, it’s my duty and responsibility to do so if I am serious in the role I have free taken as protector of my family.
Had there been a qualified person with a firearm this incident would have been resolved faster than the LEO response.
Google it……the media here rarely if ever reports on interventions of crimes by legally armed people.
This is a rant that could go on for ever…..suffice to say; I go armed everywhere all the time where legally possible and don’t go where firearms are welcome….period.
The is a better possibility of me intervening is a active shooter scenario the expecting all the gun control laws from actually preventing gun violence. This dick shooting up a gun free zone/country proved it.
‘Why does anyone… need to have a gun at all?’ – Toronto Mayor
Because when danger’s just seconds away, LEO is only minutes away…
Too bad we can’t round all of the liberal elitists in North America up and ship them to Australia.
I liked the old Toronto mayor…. the one who smoked crack but said funny things instead of stupid things 🤣
Politicians should all give up their armed security and sleep with their doors unlocked. As a nice example to the rest of us.
“I’ve said for some time that the city has a gun problem, that guns are far too readily available to far too many people,” Toronto Mayor John Tory said in a press conference. No,you flaming fool, you have a people problem….
His last name says it all. Elitists in any country distrust an armed citizenry.
now Canadians are ignoring laws seal the border