Articles of the Month

TO REGISTER OR TO REGISTER NOT!

On January 1, 2003, a 70 year old retired auctioneer, Jim Turnbull, who led the protest of 200 people on Parliament hill against the firearms legislation celebrated his release by hatching a plan to get himself arrested again in Montreal. What a way to celebrate the first day of the New Year? but my question is why / what is so wrong with registering your guns?

The first phase of Canada's firearms act was aimed at registering and licensing all firearm owners by January 1, 2001. As of November 23, 2002, a total of 1,897,161 of Canada's estimated 3 million gun owners were licensed. The public had 2 years before phase 2 of Canada's firearms act before having to register their guns. So it's not like nobody knew it was coming.

Some gun owners were upset that the cost of registering a firearm increased from $18 before December 31, 2002 to $25 after January 1, 2003. They say the on-line systems (there was no charge for registering on-line) were swamped so they were unable to meet the January 1, 2003 deadline and don't think they should have to pay. It's only common sense people? don't wait until last minute to do what needs to be done! If you don't want to get caught up in all the confusion with a possibility of being left out in the cold then do what you have to do early instead of waiting.

The estimated cost of the firearms act was originally estimated at almost $2 million but has ended up costing $1 billion. The public has a right to know where the extra $8 million went. To get an idea where the money is going check out www.allgromedia.com/sugi/gunregistration.html. I realize it's a lot of money but ask yourself this, ?Can you really put a price tag on safety?'

As I am writing this I am watching the news on January 3, 2003. In Ontario, a 7 year old girl accidentally shot her 6 year old brother killing him instantly while playing with their 22 year old brothers loaded gun. There is too much of this happening all over the world. Sure, registering guns may not put a complete stop to this kind of tragedy but it is a step in making gun owners more liable for their actions and it will prevent someone like this 22 year old male from getting his hands on another gun again.

My parents won't allow a gun in the house due to the young children coming around on a daily basis and it has been that way since before I was born. I don't have an interest in owning a gun at the moment but if my interests change as I get older, I won't mind registering the gun I purchase. If I can afford a gun and bullets then I can afford to register it.

By having guns registered the police know if firearms are present when responding to a domestic dispute, it reduces the amount of smuggling, the firearm can be returned to the owner is stolen and best of all it keeps firearms from people who pose a threat to the public through extensive background checks which is comforting to know.

Not everyone can agree on everything but in my opinion ?IT IS BETTER TO BE SAFE THEN SORRY'.