Toronto proposes ban on recreational shooting

by julianw | May 27, 2008 at 02:00 pm | 914 views | 10 comments

It is crucial for Toronto to crack down on gun violence, but critics argue that a new bylaw prohibiting recreational shooting will do little towards achieving that goal.

Firearm enthusiasts slammed Toronto's proposed anti-gun measures on Tuesday, which would see shooting ranges, gun clubs and firearm manufacturers banned from Canada's largest city.

Toronto Mayor David Miller announced on Monday he will support staff recommendations contained in a new report that recommends restrictions on land use for the manufacture, distribution, assembly, warehousing and discharge of guns as part of the city's move to reduce gun crime.

The report also calls for new zoning regulations that would eliminate recreational use of firearms, effectively terminating permits for gun clubs in Toronto.

Marc Porter, a member of the Forest Hill Revolver Club, who owns two target pistols, said Miller was "misguided in his quest" to rid the city's streets of gun violence, adding that only athletes and hobbyists will suffer.

"I've been doing this for 31 years and we are not the problem. We are not training criminals; we are not offering criminals instruction," Porter said.

Inspector Tony Cooper, Ontario's acting chief firearms officer, said the clubs have not been a public safety issue

"It's the mayor's prerogative to do whatever he likes, but we have had no problem with those particular ranges," he said.

In April, Miller launched an online petition for a Canada-wide handgun ban after two innocent bystanders were fatally shot downtown in January.

According to a city report, more than 1,200 Canadians are killed and over 1,000 are injured by firearms each year. In 2006, Toronto experienced the highest number of victims of firearm-related violent crimes in Canada.

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Shantastic

at 15:19 on May 27th, 2008

Former Marine at a Miami Beach shooting range

Shantastic has contributed a photo to this story.

randy.andrews

at 15:37 on May 27th, 2008

Shooting for recreation is always fun. If you've never tried it, I highly recommend you give it a shot. (no pun intended).

randy.andrews has contributed a photo to this story.

la la la liss

at 18:41 on May 27th, 2008

Photo by: http://www.mathieuyoung.com/

la la la liss has contributed a photo to this story.

Adam Slack

at 18:45 on May 27th, 2008

People who participate in recreational shooting are not committing crime with their properly registered firearms, they are enjoying shooting a wooden target in a controlled environment. Its like saying you want to ban drag racing at a sanctioned track because street racing kills.

It doesn't make sense!!!

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Johnjron1

at 22:04 on May 27th, 2008

I hope the National Firearms Association of Canada (www.nfa.ca) weighs in on this nonsensical piece of legislation forcefully and soon.

uniqueladyspeaks

at 05:59 on May 28th, 2008

I oppose the ban in Canada. If they change the rules within the recreational ranges first, then they can see if any difference is made, but to ban it all together is unwise. Many people enjoy shooting ranges and if they don't have a place to shoot, where do they think they are going to go?

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simonov

at 07:04 on May 28th, 2008

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TripleDuck

at 07:35 on May 28th, 2008

I understand that politicians are frustrated with gun violence. But these kinds of measures punish those of us who follow the law and care about being legitimate. A person who does not care about the law and wants a handgun is going to get a handgun. If this person wants to commit a crime with a gun, such a murder, it is obvious that they are not bothered by possible incarceration. How is shutting down gun ranges and disallowing shooting for sport going to cause them to suddenly care about the law? It won't.

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Logan Antill

at 07:34 on May 28th, 2008

At a shooting range in Phoenix Arizona with my father. Arizona gun law permits any resident to carry a firearm in places not restricted by additional regulations. Residents may carry a concealed weapon after completing a concealed weapons course and obtaining a permit.

It's not uncommon to go to the grocery store and see people with Glocks on their hips.

Anyone can go to a shooting range, provide, ID, rent a gun and practice.

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English on the Rocks

at 14:13 on May 28th, 2008

I along with my friends had our Handguns confiscated when they banned them in the United Kingdom. Everyone in their right minds knew this was a futile knee jerk reaction. Our hobby was destroyed and the gun crime in this country has since gone through the roof. Please look and learn.