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Gun crime and firearms

PSEPC provides independent strategic and policy advice to the Minister on firearms issues. Additionally, we will be engaged in research on the criminal use of firearms, which is part of a Government of Canada investment initiative to combat this serious problem.

About the initiative

On May 20, 2004, the federal government allocated approximately $50 million over five years for the Investments to Combat the Criminal Use of Firearms initiative. These funds will help enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies to combat gun crime, and the smuggling and trafficking of firearms. This initiative involves three federal organizations: PSEPC, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the RCMP.

The overall focus of the initiative is to improve the national collection, analysis and sharing of firearms-related intelligence and information.

The initiative will undertake activities such as:

• Expanding the use of new technology for more effective crime scene investigations by establishing a Canadian Integrated Ballistic Identification Network
• Providing ongoing funding to the National Weapons Enforcement Support Team that offers investigative support to front-line police agencies in gathering evidence
• Enhancing the criminal intelligence capacity of the RCMP, the CBSA and the Criminal Intelligence Service of Canada to gather and share intelligence, and augment their firearms tracing capacity

Throughout the initiative, PSEPC will provide ongoing policy advice and conduct research on gun crime issues. The Department, in conjunction with the other partners, is developing an evaluation framework for the initiative.