91.4 Gun Control
[Whereas,] Rationale:
In 1975, NCWC requested the Government of Canada to enact and enforce laws and regulations regarding possession, sale and control of all types of firearms and ammunition. The gun control law enacted in 1978 has failed to prevent such crimes as the Montreal massacre of fourteen female engineering students and the alarming increase in other violent crimes involving firearms.
In addition, some provincial governments have failed to implement the provisions of the 1978 Gun Control law which requires a weapons proficiency test before the issuing of a Firearms Acquisition Certificate.
[RESOLVED,]
NCWC urges the Government of Canada to:
- Ban private ownership of semi-automatic weapons;
- Provide for national firearms safety training on a user-pay basis;
- Require a 28-day waiting period between application for and the issue of a permit of a gun;
- Provide for mandatory testing of gun owners;
- Ensure that the legislation is applied equally across Canada;
- Ensure that the legislation already in force is implemented.
Further, it urges the Government to encourage the governments of the Territories to enact legislation similar to that of the Government of Canada.
(Provincial and Local Councils of Women will encourage their respective provincial governments to do the same.)