A new Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) Leger survey found the majority of citizens believe tougher measures to combat illegal gun smuggling from the United States is the most effective way to fight gun crime.
Survey results showed 55% of those surveyed believe tougher measures to fight smuggling is the best way to fight gun crime. This greatly exceeded the 26% who believe banning the sale and ownership of various gun models and the associated buyback program is the best way to fight gun crime. Eight per cent of those surveyed didn’t think either measure was effective and the remaining 11% didn’t know.
The CTF release also pointed to several police unions being against the buyback, and the $756 million cost estimated by the Parliamentary Budget Officer.
Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters Manager of Policy Mark Ryckman sees that the general public is catching on.
“I think the general public is waking up to the reality that, at a time when many Canadians are struggling and our economy is under threat, their government is willing to spend billions to buy firearms from law-abiding individuals,” he said. “Not only will this fail to reduce gun violence and improve public safety, it’s also an ‘opportunity cost’ that misdirects funding that could be better used to improve border security through increased staffing and new technologies, address the upstream determinants of involvement in gangs, and justice reform.”
“The government finds itself trapped by sunk costs and unrealistic promises, and probably feels there’s no way out but through. And that’s a terrible way to make public policy," Ryckman added.
