BR Gun Violence Blair – CP

Source: The Canadian Press – Broadcast wire
Aug 9, 2018 

OTTAWA – The new minister of border security and reducing organized crime says Canada’s handgun laws are effective.

But Bill Blair says the federal government will consider additional restrictions in certain parts of the country along with any other measures to help reduce gun violence.

Blair acknowledges that the latest rash of shootings _ most recently in Toronto _ has touched off a sense of urgency for the government to do more to keep deadly firearms out of the wrong hands.

He says this is a significant concern for Canadians, especially in places like Toronto and Surrey, B-C.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has tasked the former Toronto police chief with conducting a “deep analysis” across government to examine what additional steps could be taken to tackle the scourge of gun violence.

In the wake of a deadly shooting in Toronto last month, Toronto city council passed a motion urging the federal government allow the city to forbid the sale of handguns and for the province to outlaw the sale of handgun ammunition within city limits.

Federal N-D-P Leader Jagmeet Singh wrote to Trudeau last week urging him to heed Toronto’s call to do more.

(The Canadian Press)

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