Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has declared that guns are only for hunting and target practice, but never for self-defense, continuing his effort to minimize the role of firearms in society.
Justin Trudeau, the leader of Canada, said that his country’s views on firearms are “very different” from those in the United States. There is no legal right to use a firearm in Canada to protect oneself, one’s family, or one’s property, Trudeau stated.
“We have a culture in Canada where the distinction is made: Guns may be utilized for hunting or sport shooting, and there are numerous gun owners who are law-abiding and law-respecting. However, you can’t use guns for self-defense in Canada,” Trudeau said. “That isn’t a right that you have under the Constitution or anywhere else.”
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported that the firearms freeze now under consideration by lawmakers in Ottawa is “Canada’s most ambitious attempt yet to limit access to weapons in this nation.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the initiative last month, shortly after a school massacre in Uvalde, Texas, that left 19 children and two teachers dead. Although an 18-year-old loner with an AR-15 rifle carried out the attack, it prompted renewed demands for gun control, including handguns. The slaughter in Texas was not what motivated his decision.
“There’s a belief that Canada responded to the tragedy in Texas by rapidly moving to ban weapons,” Trudeau remarked. “However, we’ve been working on this for seven years … We’ve had a lot of disappointments … but since being elected seven years ago, we’ve been steadily strengthening gun control.”
The Trudeau-endorsed bill allows current handgun owners to keep their weapons, but it would limit the number that is already in Canada.
This is a concrete and genuine national action that will go a long way in safeguarding Canadians, Trudeau said during a news conference in Ottawa.
In 2010, Trudeau expressed concern over gun control laws, warning that registration is the first step toward confiscation. But even then, he referred to firearms as tools for hunting rather than self-defense.
“We have a culture in Canada that has developed around guns and understands the need to go out into the woods and shoot stuff from time to time,” Trudeau added.
The petition challenges the government to “end punishing lawful gun owners and keep their hands off their weapons.”