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| Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press - Photo from CBC |
The RCMP said the long-gun registry was important, effective, and efficient. They stated in a report last year that "the program, as a whole, is an important tool for law enforcement. It also serves to increase the accountability of firearm owners for their firearms." (CBC article)
The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police also endorsed the long-gun registry last year.
The executive director of the Transition House Association of Nova Scotia, an organization which strives to eliminate violence against women in their province, got right to the heart of the matter: "The rate of spousal homicide by gun has gone down 69 per cent and we attribute most of that to the impact of the gun registry. Without question we need it in Canada." (CBC article)
Another organization that supports the long-gun registry is YWCA Canada. This organization told Harper: "As the nation’s largest single provider of shelter to women and children fleeing violence, YWCA Canada knows the long gun registry is a public safety tool that makes women’s lives safer." (YWCA press release)
What does the Conservative Party of Canada say? "Since created, the long-gun registry has wasted taxpayers dollars." (Conservative Party news release) Wow. Are you serious?
The Conservatives often quote "two billion dollars!" as how much the registry has cost. But the real number that matters is the 1.1 to 3.5 million dollars per year that takes to run it now that it's in effect. That's cheap. And it's worth it.
I usually support you, Harper, but you've got it wrong this time.
I usually support you, Harper, but you've got it wrong this time.
