Gun Control: From a Southerner Now Living in Canada

[KamaAina]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/gun-control-from-a-southerner-now-living-in-canada_us_575edd89e4b079c7cee5fcb6

I’m from North Carolina, and “guns” weren’t a bad word growing up. My grandfather, a native West Virginian, is a hunter (and arguably the best man on the planet). My dad has a collection of weapons. I shot a Glock in the Daniel Boone National Forest, and the majority of my family and friends own guns.

I’m also from a patriotic bunch: That same grandfather is a Vietnam veteran, my uncle served in the Air Force and we all believe America is still the greatest country in the world. ...

Now, I’m living in Toronto. It’s a city of around 3 million people, and yet as a petite female with no gun, I’ve yet to feel unsafe walking down any street at anytime of day or night. I can’t say the same about my time as an apartment dweller in Raleigh, North Carolina.

I’ve never seen a weapon on anyone here in Canada, save for police officers. When I go back to my home state for visits, I’m shocked (and slightly frightened) every time I notice someone in a public place with a gun on their hip (a man reading a book sitting in Barnes & Noble in Cary comes to mind).

[roamer65]

1. It is quite perplexing, KamaAina.

One can own a shotgun or rifle in Canada with very little restriction. Certain handguns can be owned after one has followed the proper licensing procedures.
Yet, there is no where even close to the level of gun violence in Canada as in the USA.

It says something about us as a country.

[Duckhunter935]

3. maybe that socialist healthcare sytem and the greatly lower poulation helps.

[roamer65]

4. Southern Ontario's population density is quite similar to our Midwest.

Metropolitan Toronto is equivalent to some of our major cities.

Healthcare has nada to do with it.

I think it's because Americans have been trained to fear what they do not understand.

[Duckhunter935]

5. yes we all know healthcare and mental healthcare

are just NRA talking points

[applegrove]

7. You are 3 1/2 times more likely to be shot in America than Canada.

[liberal N proud]

2. Not enough people have guns

Or so a gun groupie will most certainly tell us.

[Angel Martin]

9. the current flashpoint for gun regulation in Canada

is banning all semi auto pistols, even though the current law allows only those with magazines <= 10 rounds (and barrel length >105mm)

the same urban vs rural dynamic as in the USA plays out wrt gun control

after every bad shooting in Toronto, some Toronto politicians want semi auto pistols confiscated, even though these are overwhelmingly gang shootings using illegal pistols (mag size, barrel length) smuggled in from the USA.
'
the street price of a prohibited pistol in Toronto is $2000+ and they can be bought in the US for a few hundred, so there is a very lucrative smuggling opportunity.

Most smuggled guns come thru the Akwasesne reserve, so the border control is not near as strict as other crossings.

[Johonny]

6. When I see agun the place I want to be is

far away from that gun. It creeps you out to see a grown man needing a gun to walk around in public. I give them wide berths. Sure he might be a mythical good guy with a gun, but who wants to take the chance?

[Night Watchman]

8. Bill Maher Nailed It!