Canada's Murder Rate in 2003 Drops to 30-Year Low

[Cujo]

Personally, I think the "inner-city thugs" killing themselves is a good thing. It saves some money for everyone in not having to prosecute their sorry a$$es.

On the other theme of this thread, it is rather difficult to compare murder rates of 2 different nations using only one element. Canadians, by and large, are far more docile than Americans and to blame firearms for a high murder rate is a stretch. I'd be willing to bet that, on average, anyone with an extensive knowledge of firearms and the ability to use them is not out murdering people with any sort of regularity. IMO There are 3 types of people: 1. Those that know guns 2. Those that don't but have a gun anyway 3. Those that don't yet still stereotype them to fit their wacked agenda. I remember when S&W came out with the .50 mag and politicians like Biden and Feinstein were up in arms about how all the gangs would want this beast because it's the latest and greatest. All they had to do was read not even 10 lines of info about how big the barrel was and how hard it is to get multiple shots off in a short time and they could've at least saved some face. Why pay $1200+ to get 2 shots off in the same time that gang member B can empty an entire clip and only pay $300-$400?

 

[Cujo]

Also, fwiw, call any gun dealer and ask them the difference between now and pre-ban and they'll tell you it's mainly the high-capacity mag and flash suppressor which if you've fired one doesn't make any difference especially in a drive-by. Now if you're trying to be a sniper then I'd say, "OK, you need the suppressor."

 

[Cujo]

As "low" as Canada's murder rate is, it's still not as low as Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is the inverse of the Canadian system for the most part. As I said in a previous post, it's difficult to isolate 1 or 2 reasons why crime rates differ between various countries and still ascertain the reason behind those numbers.

 

[xpanda]

Absolutely, which is why I listed a host of them earlier in this thread.

What we CAN conclude, with some assurance, is that our low murder rate, being nearly 3 times less than that of the US and still in decline, indicates we are on the right track.

Obviously a study that compared and contrasted many nations would be needed to find a solution to reducing violent crimes.

 

[Cujo]

I don't have the time to research Canadian crime statistics in every province. Here in the U.S., our sparsely states traditionally have the lowest crime rates. You could say that in a smaller town people are more likely to know each other and would be less willing to commit a crime against someone they knew. If I get the time tomorrow or the next day I'll try to compare Toronto and New York to see if gun control significantly impacts crime levels.

 

[Cujo]

Quick search on google


Gun Politics in Canada

In Canada, gun control is a controversial issue, though less contentious than in the United States. There are groups who defend the possession of guns, arguing that they are necessary for hunting and farm use, especially. The pressure that led to the current gun-registration law began with the Ecole Polytechnique Massacre in Montreal on December 6, 1989. The present law requires all firearms to be registered. In December 2002, the Auditor-General Sheila Fraser revealed that the project, originally budgeted to cost $2 million, is now expected to cost taxpayers $1 billion by 2005. In 1999 the Canadian government admitted that in the entire history of their firearms registration, not one crime has been solved and not one criminal has been caught by the registry. Additionally, it is estimated that nearly 900,000 gun owning Canadians have refused to register their firearms. These facts have proved highly embarrassing for the Canadian Government and have increased the calls for the registry's dismantlement. Currently, eight provinces are in opposition to the registry. Supporters of the firearms registry point out that it makes no sense to abandon the project at this point, as it would mean throwing away all the funds that had been spent to date.

 

[xpanda]

Comparing crime rates in Toronto and New York will still not give you an indication of whether or not gun control is the reason for the disparity (I suspect there will be a big disparity.)

You'd have to compare statistics of several countries using the gun control data, plus: poverty levels, punishment (maybe the absence of the death penalty is a factor), employment rates, drug use to rule any of them out, first, and point to a specific cause, second.

I think poverty contributes more to violent crime rates than anything. One guess, anyway. People with money are less likely to risk losing it and end up in prison. People who don't feel a sense of hope about their future are less inclined to care. It's probably the source of the 'inner city thug' problem mentioned earlier.

 

[American]

I agree 100%, poverty is the main reason for violent crime. After living in Costa Rica for a while, I can attest to this.

 

[xpanda]

I agree 100% ...

... with me????

Stop the world, I need to get off.

 

[Sonny2003]

Far more people die early due to heart disease linked to a bad diet and lack of exercise than due to being shot. Apparently those statistics are forgotten by Michael Moore.

I laugh so hard when I see a post like the one above. True, that might be correct. However, you missed a minor point. Those individuals who do die from those ailments are doing it to themselves. A gun death, unless it is suicide, is done by another to another.
Gun nuts always try to use that analogy, it just does not fly.:breakit:

 

[American]

... with me????

Stop the world, I need to get off.

I can get you off...but not off the world. (Sorry, I'm so sick)

 

[xpanda]

Sweetie, these days a wink and nod works just fine.

 

[Cujo]

Sonny2003,

I believe his (Belchone) point was to put into perspective the potential for gun mischief by all not just law-abiding citizens. Like you said, when you kill someone it is you that is taking the life. However, if you enter someone's house with bad intent, you run the risk of dying. You don't want to die? Don't go in there. I don't want to kill anyone but I'll do it without thinking twice if you disrespect my area.

As far as people unjustly killing others, they should be permanently removed from society so as not to be given a second chance to run amok. Let us look at our neighbors to the north and see their gun registry has yielded nothing but law-abiding citizens that have committed no gun crime. Scrap the plan? No, because all that money would be wasted and we would lose the opportunity to lose some more. Sound like the U.S., anyone?