Conservatives show "fake" concern for victims of firearm violence, deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland said during a debate on the proposed handgun ban.."I'll tell you what is entirely insincere, the Conservatives fake concern for Canadians who are victims of gun violence. They can support Canadians by supporting our legislation," Freeland said during Thursday's question period..The deputy prime minister was responding to an initial question by Conservative MP Luc Berthold on Bill C-5, which eliminates mandatory minimum sentences for criminals..Berthold read aloud the testimony of a Montreal family who was forced to cower inside their homes because of a gang-related shooting.."We're not talking about a war zone. We're talking about a neighborhood in Montreal," Berthold said. "Mr. Speaker, why would the Liberals rather help criminals than reassure this family in Montreal or in all the people of Montreal?" .Freeland said the Liberals preferred to take "concrete measures" to limit firearms, particularly handguns, in Canada. She was referring to Bill C-21, which would limit the sales of handguns nationwide.."It's absurd to me to listen to these questions from Conservative members, who are against the important, historic measures that we are putting in place.".Conservative House Leader John Brassard said the party believes steps should be taken to protect Canadians from both gun violence and domestic violence..He said while there are "aspects of Bill C-21 that we can agree on, specifically on domestic violence issues," the rest of the bill would do nothing to end gun violence.".Conservatives argued because the majority of handguns used in crimes are obtained illegally, Bill C-21 would only harm law-abiding gun owners..Brassard asked Freeland if she would consider splitting Bill C-21 into two bills; one to protect the victims of domestic violence, while the other to offer "real and effective solutions to gun crime and gun trafficking."."As an as a mother of teenagers who live in my riding, I want to say very clearly, we will never water down our measures on gun control," Freeland responded.."I just want the members opposite to stop posturing and rejoin us in saving lives.".Following Question Period, Raquel Dancho, Conservative shadow minister for public safety, and Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative shadow minister for public services and procurement, issued a statement on the Liberal government rejecting the Conservatives' motion to split up Bill C-21.."They shamefully blocked our common-sense motion because they were not willing to back down on their political agenda and separate the ineffective and divisive parts of their bill that do nothing to stop gun violence and provide no benefit to vulnerable Canadians," the statement read.."We will continue to stay focused on common sense firearm safety, safer communities, and ensuring there are strong consequences for those who commit gun crime.”
