A Restricted Weapon Must Adhere to Laws and Regulations
A restricted weapon must adhere to a number of laws and regulations. It must not be illegal in Canada, have a barrel that is less than 470mm in length, and be able to discharge center-fire ammunition in a semi-automatic fashion, among other requirements. (Classes of Firearms).
Shooting Rampage at Quebec City Mosques
Six people were killed and numerous others were hurt in a shooting rampage at Quebec City mosques on January 29, 2017, by a shooter in possession of a restricted handgun. The semi-automatic handgun was used in the crime, according to reliable sources, even though officers declined to say what kind of weapon it was. The gun was lawfully purchased by the shooter, but it appears that he modified it to do more damage. Semi-automatic handguns can, under the law, hold a maximum of five rounds of ammunition, but they can easily be illegally modified to hold a maximum of thirty rounds (Nickel & Williams, 2017).
Valid Reasons for Civilians to Own or Use Restricted Handguns
Apart from law enforcement officers, there are valid reasons for civilians to own or use restricted handguns. For instance, an individual who is not a member of a law enforcement unit may acquire a handgun for shooting practice or competition. However, such people need to provide evidence of their participation in shooting competitions or proof that they are members of a licensed shooting club (Restricted Firearms). In Canada, civilians can also possess handguns for the protection of life and property, in situations where they feel their lives are under threat. In rare instances, persons, by nature of their employment, may be required to possess handguns, mainly for the protection of life. Upon legally acquiring a restricted handgun, individuals are issued with a registration certificate (Mauser, 2001).
Strict Gun Possession Laws in Canada
Gun possession laws in Canada are stricter than those in the USA. A more regulated environment has led to the proliferation of illegal guns, normally smuggled across the border from the US (Cook & Krause, 2009). Some legally acquired restricted handguns are illegally modified to cause more harm, like in the case of the Quebec mosque shooting.
References
Classes of Firearms. (n.d). Royal Canadian Mounted Police.Retrieved Jul. 18, 2017, from http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/fs-fd/clas-eng.htm
Cook, P. J., Cukier, W., & Krause, K. (2009). The illicit firearms trade in North America. Criminology & Criminal Justice, 9(3), 265-286.
Mauser, G. A. (2001). Misfire: Firearm Registration in Canada.
Nickel R., & Williams, N. (2017). Despite tough Canadian rules, illegal guns within reach. Reuters. Retrieved Jul. 18, 2017, from http://www.reuters.com/article/us-canada-mosque- shooting-guncontrol-idUSKBN15F038
Restricted Firearms. (n.d). Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Retrieved Jul. 18, 2017, from http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/fs-fd/restr-eng.htm
