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Canadians Call Long Gun Registry Inefficient
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The majority of people in Canada think that the Canadian Firearms Registry has failed, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion released by the Toronto Star. 46 per cent of respondents say this program has been unsuccessful in preventing crime, and an additional 32 per cent say it has been ineffectual.
The Canadian Firearms Registry—also known as the long gun registry—requires the registration of all non-restricted firearms in the country. The program was introduced by the Liberal government of Canadian prime minister Jean Chrétien in 1993 as an effort to limit access to firearms, but ran into severe operational problems and questions regarding its cost.
Canadians renewed the House of Commons in October 2008. The Conservative party—led by Stephen Harper—received 37.6 per cent of the vote, and secured 143 seats in the 308-member lower house. Harper assembled a minority administration. The Tories had also earned a minority mandate after the 2006 election, ending more than 12 years of government by the Liberal party.
On Nov. 4, the House of Commons voted 164-137 to scrap the long gun registry. Conservative lawmaker Garry Breitkreuz, one of the authors of the bill, expressed satisfaction with the vote, saying, "I was just blown away by the support we got. I’m relieved after 15 years, finally we get some action on one of the biggest boondoggles in Canadian history."
The bill has not become law and could by amended by a Commons committee.
Polling Data
The Canadian Firearms Registry, also known as the long gun registry, requires the registration of all non-restricted firearms in Canada. From what you have seen, read or heard, do you think this registry has been successful or unsuccessful in preventing crime in Canada?
|
Successful |
11% |
|
Unsuccessful |
46% |
|
It has had no effect on crime |
32% |
|
Not sure |
11% |
Source: Angus Reid Public Opinion / Toronto Star
Methodology: Online interviews with 1,000 Canadian adults, conducted on Nov. 12 and Nov. 13, 2009. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.