The national police union that represents the RCMP is blasting the federal Liberals gun grab plan for doing nothing to stop the flow of illegal guns into the country..“Canada prides itself as a non-violent, safe and inclusive country. Yet illegal guns and shootings are on the rise, as is the annual rate of increase of gun violence, resulting in tragic loss of life and injuries to innocent Canadians,” said the National Police Federation in it’s first statement since Justin Trudeau’s Liberals brought in the gun grab law earlier this year..The union said 2,242 illegal guns used in crimes in Canada last year were traced back to manufacturers in the U.S. Three of the four firearms used in the tragic mass shooting in Portapique, N.S, in April 2020, were obtained illegally in the U.S..“The NPF takes this issue very seriously because, as police officers, we routinely see first-hand how illegal weapons are directly linked to increased gun violence and, sadly, death,” said Brian Sauvé, President of the National Police Federation, in a statement..“Our recommendations call for a combination of better legislation, better funding, and evidence-based solutions that we believe are necessary to curtailing the proliferation of illegal guns in Canada.”.The union said Stats Canada data shows Canada reported 678 homicides in 2019, and that 261 (38 per cent) of them were gun-related fatal shootings..Of those 261 homicides, over 60 per cent were committed with a handgun, as opposed to a rifle..The union notes homicides, including shootings, have been gradually increasing in Canada, and homicides linked to organized crime or gangs, in particular, have risen by 10 per cent since 2015. The firearms being used the majority of these instances are either already prohibited or restricted in Canada..NPF is calling for legislation that effectively addresses crime reduction, gang diversion, safe communities, secure borders, Canadian enforcement agency integration, and cross-border safety of the public and all police officers..It’s also demanding funding for the RCMP Border Integrity Program, to enable dedicated proactive RCMP investigative weapons enforcement activity and the dismantling of gang and organized crime firearms smuggling.. Defying crackdown, hundreds march against lockdowns in Calgary .The NPF wants enough funding for “law enforcement to properly address crime prevention rather than the ongoing monitoring of unrelated restrictions on licensed and regulated firearms owners.”.The NPF was certified to represent 20,000 RCMP front-line members serving across Canada and internationally in the summer of 2019..The NPF is the largest police labour relations organization in Canada; the second largest in North America and is the first independent national association to represent RCMP members..Trudeau’s Liberal government announced in May they are banning 1,500 different makes and models of what he called “military-style” and “assault-style” guns in Canada..The ban came into effect immediately and was ordered by the cabinet without any bill or debate in Parliament..In response to the federal order, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said the province will look at appointing its own firearms officer..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.TWITTER: Twitter.com/nobby7694
