A firearm is a portable mechanical device that uses gunpowder pressure to fire a bullet or projectile. The earliest guns were made in the 10th century in China. The invention was then improved in the 13th century in China, where the firearms were made of the metal-barreled hand cannon. Since then, the guns have enhanced with improved technology to the modern firearms being used. The current guns therefore can be described regarding their bore diameter, their capacity which is the gauge, the action they may be intended for, by the firing mechanism or even by the type of barrel used and the barrel length. Firearms are also classified into different categories according to their function where we have the manual, automatic, semi-automatic and selective fire(the United States, 2018). They can also be classified according to their configuration where we have the handguns and long guns. Long guns include the personal defense weapons, machine, and submachine guns, rifles, automatic rifles, and shotguns. Just like any other country in the world, firearms are used in Canada. Their legislation is managed by The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)'s Canadian Firearms Program under the deputy commissioner policing support services. Firearms in Canada are classified into restricted firearms, the non-restricted firearms, and the prohibited firearms. Licenses are issued to those who wish to possess firearms, which is the possession-acquisition license (PAL). Licenses help one purchase ammunition for use in the firearms and that anyone wanting to apply for the acquisition of firearms has to pass through safety and handling tests being given the license (Firearms act, 1995). Firearms are used for various reasons in the Canadian society. However, the usage has received critic from multiple people, hence the different views proving whether the user should be made illegal in the country or not (the United States, 2018).
METHODOLOGY
The research was made to investigate whether the firearms should be made legal or illegal. A report from the guns of Canada was one of the resources I used in this study. Firearms registration act and the Canada Firearms acts to illustrate the strategies that should be taken to legalize or illegalize the firearms. I also carried out interviews with the residents of Canada as well as the inspector general of police to inquire about the same.
LITERATURE REVIEW
When something is said to be illegal, it is against the law, or it breaks the rules set. Usage of firearms can have positive effects and the same time have adverse effects. Canada is strategically located near the United States which is the leading producer of firearms. This has resulted to a higher number of possessions of firearms in Canada which is approximately 30 guns out of every 100 people, (Statistics Canada, 2014), with some of the firearms having licenses and others not. Possession of these guns, therefore, has been either legally acquired and some of them illegally got through pawning or smuggling from the border.
Firearms, however, have contributed positively to the safety and security of Canadians, to enforcing a law, conducting investigations and promoting awareness and enhancing community relations at most in the following ways:
Firearms have been used by the Canada border agency to help guard the national borders. This has deterred the people from other countries from being illegally in Canada either as spies or those seeking refuge; it has also prevented illegal smuggling of goods or commodities into the country. It has helped prevent illicit trafficking of weapons and explosives mostly the IEDs, bombs or grenades for the terrorists; it has also helped control human trafficking through the border into the country. Firearms, therefore, have contributed to more good since the border defense guards carry them as they patrol at the edges checking for illegalities. This has enabled quick trace of illegal intrusion and getting down the crimes at the national borders(Rose, 2009).
In cases of emergencies for example attacks, firearms have been recommended to be used to protect the family. For example, during home breaking or robbery, the state has pardoned the use of firearms. Also, Canadians are allowed to carry and use firearms for personal safety and also for self-defense during attacks. For example, the state allows the use of firearms when one is faced with life-threatening assaults on their way. In the particular family, the family member who has the knowledge and skills on how to competently use a firearm and can handle it even in stress is issued the license to possess one(Chase, 2015). Some of the firearms that a member of the family can be allowed to own include a handgun, a shotgun, and a rifle which one can use for self-defense from an opponent who is at a high distance. This has resulted in the protection of one's life by the state and the overall crime rate going down.
DISCUSSION
The Canadian system has allowed the use of firearms by police officers at crime scenes. This has helped control irate commotions at the site, and at most get down the criminals and detaining them for arrest. The officer at the scene may fire in the air to disperse the crowd and in cases of armed criminals; the state has allowed the police officers to use firearms for defense. The police officer may also escort the criminal for arrest at gunpoint. The usage of firearms in such instances has helped arrest the offenders easily (Durdik,2015) .
In Canada, firearms have also contributed to commerce and employment where there are trade centers that are licensed under the Canadian Firearms Act to sell firearms in and outside the country. These have led to improved trade in the country and a source of employment to those selling the weapons. This has led to improved international and domestic trade (Durdik,2015) .
The Canadian government has allowed acquisition of firearms for emergency preparedness. This has been evident in The Royal Canadian Mounted Police workstations where they acquire the firearms to help get ready to prevent and deter crimes and even terrorism. This helps ensure public safety and security and also enforce the law. Citizens of the country are also allowed to possess a firearm for emergency preparedness. For example; submachine guns, automatic rifles, assault rifles, the automatic firearms can be acquired for emergency preparedness(Chase, 2015).
In some parts of Canada, the government has allowed the use of firearms for hunting. Areas like Ontario, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Manitoba and some others are known for shooting. Hunting in Canada is done both domestically and for commercial purposes. For example, the rifles are commonly used for big and small game animal hunting, while the shotguns are used for hunting mostly the slugs and birds.
Firearms are also used in Canada for Olympics that is, the shooting sports. The type of games is enjoyed at competition level, international level and for recreation purpose. The Canadian Shooting Sports Association together with the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights, have legalized the sporting activity to promote the event for commercial value, for firearm safety and general education about firearms. For example Biathlon sport which involves rifle shooting where the one with the shortest total time wins the game. Firearms are also used in sporting activities. For example, new handguns are used in field races and even in swimming competitions. The handgun is fired, and through the sound or smoke, the athlete is let aware of the beginning of the tournament (Oregon, 2012).
The Canadian government has also allowed the use of firearms in military schools for target training and practice. The trainees shoot at man-shaped robots or objects to improve on the weapon handling skills, preparing them for their fieldwork in the military.
Use of firearms in Canada has been viewed to be much vast ranging from national protection and safety narrowed to personal safety and for domestic use. However, inappropriate handling of the firearms has led to more harm to the citizens which is either major or minor physical injury or death of the victim. It has also led to psychological and emotional tortures like trauma(Chase, 2015).
In the country, according to the Statistics Canada, cases of gun violence are rare compared to countries like the United States of America. This is due to the federal firearms regulation and licensing programs enacted in the state. Though still, cases of homicide, suicide, accidents and domestic violence have been evident throughout the country. Handguns have been more associated with murder, suicide and domestic violence deaths (Durdik,2015). Illegal smuggling of firearms from the United States has contributed to one of the leads to criminal acts in Canada. This is due to the cheaper acquisition of the weapons and that one won't have to follow the legal procedures for licensing their weapons.
Homicides have been reported to be rampant in the largest cities in Canada. This has been due to a large number of people residing in the towns and illegal possession of firearms mostly the handguns. Gang-related crimes in Canada primarily involve the use of firearms. The crimes include robbery with violence, home breaking and in some instances in gambling. The gang members in most cases carry guns with them and may shoot in cases of shootouts or police confrontation or disagreements (the United States, 2018).
Instances where firearms have been fired, there have been reports of death for example, by being hit by stray bullets usually during such crossfires or shootouts. Also in instances where the firearms have been dropped while loaded has led to accidental shootings, for example in the long guns which lack drop-safeties.
Possession of firearms among family members though legalized has led to domestic violence where during disagreements or arguments or even drunkards a family member may shoot the other to settle the conflict.
Firearms acquired for personal safety or self-defense, or in some cases those illegally received, have been at times inappropriately handled. For instance, where one, feels depressed about something, examples of committing suicide have been evident (Durdik,2015) .
From the argument, it is evident that acquisition, usage, storage and even possession of firearms have had both positive and negative implication for the Canadian nation. Purchase or possession of a firearm in Canada has followed specific guidelines according to the Ending the Long-gun Registry Act, Bill C-19. Here one acquires the possession-acquisition license (PAL). To obtain the license, criminal record history is looked into; a safety course and a mandatory waiting period are considered. The firearm industry has been seen to have contributed significantly to various sectors of the country’s economy (Oregon, 2012). For example, it has enabled providence of job opportunities in the manufacturing and packaging industries, the sale of firearms has contributed to capital and investments, national and international trade. Therefore, it has provided to the adaptation of modern technology, has enhanced public security and safety by The Royal Canadian Mounted Police and also the decent people in the country who use firearms. However, firearms usage has also negatively implicated on the people. It has led to cases of homicide, domestic violence, suicide, accidents.
From the favorable point of view, the positive implication of firearms has led to more good than harm to the citizens. Firearms usage has been associated with freedom, honor, safety, and liberty of the Canadians. Use of firearms has also helped bring sanity to the country’s law and humanity to the maniacs and also since it is the human nature to be wicked, angry and even savage at times, sanity restoration is a necessity. The legal protection and defense of the citizens much require the incorporation of tools which are the firearms to maintain it at that (Durdik,2015). Therefore, if the use of firearms should be banned or made illegal, then the country should be already thriving in an era of political, economic and social prosperity, living in unity and harmony to promote peaceful co-existence among the Canadians.
CONCLUSION
The usage of firearms should not be made illegal since it is a basis, upon which the country's law is enforced, public security and safety are maintained, harmony and peace are restored. It has resulted in the protection of citizens' rights and freedom. It has reduced the rates of crimes as the criminals are met by the full force of the law which includes, being jailed or subjected to community service. Since the adverse effects of firearms are minimal compared to the positive impact, and Canada is a developed nation. It should set aside funds to help solve the issues related to firearm violence in the country, and this will help enforce the law, minimize the illegal smuggling of firearms and also improve on border security (Oregon, 2012). The funds should also promote primary education and research on the negative implications of firearms to the people. Therefore if the negative consequences of firearms which include gun and gang violence are reduced, then the nation will be better placed regarding peace, prosperity and harmonious co-existence among the people. It will help add to the advantages of firearms in the country hence the usage of firearms should not be made illegal.
REFERENCES
Chase, K. (2015). Firearms. West Nyack: Cambridge University Press.
Rose, V., " Connecticut. (2009). Firearms. Hartford: Connecticut General Assembly, Office of Legislative Research
Durdı́k, J., Mudra, M., " Šáda, M. (2015). Firearms. Twickenham: Hamlyn.
Oregon. (2012). Firearms. Salem, Or: Legislative Committee Services.
The United States. (2018). Firearms. Brigham City, Utah: The Services.
