Canadian wants to set U.S. gun policy

[RoeBear]

Layton declares gun war
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20040604/ELECLAYTON04/TPNational/Canada

WINNIPEG -- NDP Leader Jack Layton is pitching voters on a Canadian-led campaign for tougher U.S. gun laws that includes bending the ears and twisting arms of American congressmen.

He says Ottawa should send envoys to Washington to fight for strict firearm laws in the United States because American weapons smuggled into Canada are a big cause of gun violence in this country.


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Fat chance

[Leprechan29]

1. Im all for common-sense gun control

But Canadians trying to influence US policy? While they may have good intentions, I don't think that many people will take them seriously

[Liberal Classic]

2. Nice thread on same topic from last week

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=118x62366

In case you didn't see it.

The conclusion I get out of it is the Canadian/U.S. border is highly porous. The U.S. is also the largest (but as with firearms not the only) source for contraband alcohol and cigarettes. Canadian authorities confiscate 5,000 - 10,000 cartons at a time and reduces tax revenues by billions annually.

[OpSomBlood]

3. Why would a Canadian care about U.S. gun policies?

I mean, there aren't any Canadians here telling us how to run our country, are there?

[JohnLocke]

4. I think Canadians have no place in influencing our internal affairs.

[OpSomBlood]

5. Nonsense. Canadians should be able to dictate what our laws should be.

I hope your sarcasm alarm is beeping.

[JohnLocke]

6. Don't worry, it is.

:D

[iverglas]

7. get a clue, kids

I don't know of any Canadians anywhere trying to set US policy on anything.

I do wish that those who claim to would identify the persons and policies of which they speak. A few brave men would seem to be needed here ...

Too bad the other thread was started by a troll and thus got locked.

But y'all feel free to read the info available there, esp.:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=118&topic_id=62366&mesg_id=62553&page=

One in four known, traceable "crime guns" in a recent study in Toronto are believed to have been illegally imported into Canada from the US, where they were first purchased.

At least we know that the US never, ever coerces lobbies governments of other countries to do things for the benefit of the US. Heavens to betsy, what an idea.

Or hell, y'all feel free to start a few more threads consisting purely of baseless insinuation, uninformed mumbling and self-righteous indignation, y'hear?

.

[OpSomBlood]

9. As Plato said, "know thyself"

I don't know of any Canadians anywhere trying to set US policy on anything.

Are you sure you don't know any?

[iverglas]

10. nothing to see here, folks

But one or two of those brave men may yet show up.

Or a few blustering blowhards, or ignorant idiots. Ya just never know.

I always figure that even the biggest blowhard oughta be able to cut and paste, of course. Even if one can't expect much from the idiots.

[OpSomBlood]

11. I have no idea what you are rambling about.

Who are the blustering blowhards, and who are the ignorant idiots? Sounds like college football teams to me.

[iverglas]

12. hmm

Who are the blustering blowhards, and who are the ignorant idiots?

Well, I gather that you would think that the appropriate response to that is:

Are you sure you don't know any?

[OpSomBlood]

13. I'd be one if I were on Canadian websites telling them how to govern.

n/t

[iverglas]

14. you might even be one

if you weren't. For instance, if you were saying that someone was on a USAmerican website telling USAmericans how to govern.

Are you? If so, I surely do hope that you're prepared to substantiate that assertion with something resembling evidence. Unlike insinuations, assertions really do require evidence to back them up. You making any?

Nothing to see here so far, folks.

[iverglas]

15. tsk. No brave men

No one to come out and say something straight and ... well, I won't even insist on true.

Oh well.

[Pert_UK]

8. So even if this were true......

why would it be any different from the usual behaviour of politicians?

National governments will ALWAYS lobby another country's politicians if it feels that the other country's laws, behaviour or lack of action is having a material, negative impact upon that national government's own country.

E.g. the US will lobby South American governments to stiffen the laws on drug production and smuggling, or will lobby Europe to lift trade restrictions or subsidies. The UK will lobby the French government to get them to improve their laws on asylum-seekers transiting through France to get into the UK.

If Canadian politicians have established that their own gun regulations are being undermined by lax or inadequate US gun laws, then it seems only reasonable that they ask the US to do something to address the problem.