A Trudeau government study on banning handgun sales found respondents questioning how the ban would reduce crime when most handguns used in crimes are smuggled into Canada from the United States, according to Blacklock's Reporter.. Handgun and Ammo .The Privy Council Office used its in-house research team to do the study, at a cost of $2.4 million..“While almost all participants supported the overarching goal of reducing the prevalence of crimes involving handguns and decreasing the overall number of handguns in circulation, a number were skeptical as to whether a national freeze on the buying and selling of handguns would be effective,” wrote researchers..READ MORE Sask government opposes handgun freeze, won’t reduce crime.On August 19, cabinet banned importing legal handguns under the Export And Import Permits Act..On November 9, a ban on domestic sales and transfers was authorized by cabinet order under the Firearms Act. However, Parliament did not pass any legislation to authorize the ban. .“It was largely thought handguns had no place in Canadian society and apart from those working in law enforcement or a similar field, there was little reason for an individual to possess one,” said the October 7 Privy Council Continuous Qualitative Data Collection Of Canadians’ Views report. .“For the smaller yet significant number who questioned the effectiveness of this initiative, it was largely felt the majority of handgun-related crimes were caused by those who had obtained their firearms illegally and, as such, this action would do little to address the issue.”.“Furthermore, several of these participants reiterated concerns that this measure was unfairly restrictive towards law-abiding gun owners, specifically those who partook in pastimes such as sport shooting or collecting.” .“All participants believed combatting gun smuggling and trafficking to be an important priority for the federal government to focus on. Many viewed illegally sourced firearms as the greatest contributor to gun crime in Canada at present.”.READ MORE Sask introduces Firearms Act to protect firearms owners from Trudeau’s gun grab.On October 5, Public Safety Assistant Deputy Minister Talal Dakalbab said he did'nt know if there would be reduced gun crimes from the handgun ban.. “I don’t know exactly what impact it will have,” said Dakalbab..“Does your evidence show the handgun freeze and gun buy-back will lead to enhanced public safety or is that just something you’re speculating will happen?” asked Conservative MP Dane Lloyd (Sturgeon River-Parkland, AB). .“All guns are subject to risk,” replied Dakalbab.
