03-26-2005, 01:34 PM
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#39 (permalink)
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Born Against
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On the subject of the impact of gun control laws on rates of homicide and suicide, Canada provides a very interesting case study.
Here are a couple of research articles on the Canadian situation.
They conclude that the new Canadian gun laws have significantly reduced the rate of gun related fatalities.
Quote:
Author(s): Boyd, Neil
Source: Canadian Journal of Criminology & Criminal Justice, Oct2003, Vol. 45 Issue 4, p473, 6p
Abstract: This article notes that the decline in firearms-related mortality in Canada has coincided with regulatory changes beginning in the late 1970s and culminating in the enactment of Bill C-68 in 1995. It argues that the increasing regulation of firearms reflects cultural change; specifically, a growing intolerance on the part of Canadians for firearms and their associated perils. The apparent trend of declining gun ownership is a reflection of this cultural change. Fewer firearms, in turn, result in fewer fatalities. The registry is beneficial to public safety and the intense criticism of the program's cost is due not to its lack of impact or to poor management, but to unusual scrutiny as a result of its highly politicized nature. Costs have increased for a number of reasons that have nothing to do with mismanagement or bureaucratic excess. First, opponents of gun registration challenged the law, ultimately taking their challenge to the Supreme Court of Canada and delaying the implementation of the program by approximately two years. Second, most provincial jurisdictions chose not to cooperate in administering the new system, forcing the federal government to create a more costly centralized form of administration.
AN: 11701177
ISSN: 1707-7753
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Quote:
Title: Gun control law (Bill C-17), suicide, and homicide in Canada
Author(s): Bridges FS
Source: PSYCHOLOGICAL REPORTS 94 (3): 819-826 Part 1, JUN 2004
Abstract: Canadian Bill C-17 was implemented in 1991 to restrict the use of firearms, providing a chance to investigate the effect of firearm control laws in the use of firearms for suicide and homicide. Following Lester and Leenaars' comprehensive studies, the present study examined the use of firearms for suicide and homicide during the period prior to the bill and during the period after the passing of Bill C-17 to assess the association of the bill with rates of suicide and homicide by method. Analysis showed a significant decrease after passage of Bill C-17 in the rates of suicides and homicides involving firearms and the percentage of suicides using firearms. The analysis provides support for the position that restricting the availability of firearms as a lethal means of committing suicide and homicide may help reduce the numbers of suicides and homicides.
Addresses: Bridges FS (reprint author), Univ W Florida, Div Hlth Leisure & Exercise Sci, 11000 Univ Parkway, Pensacola, FL 32514 USA Univ W Florida, Div Hlth Leisure & Exercise Sci, Pensacola, FL 32514 USA
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