Submission to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security Re: Bill C-21,

An Act to Amend Certain Acts and to make Certain Consequential Amendments (firearms) Danforth Families for Safe Communities October 30, 2023

2 Danforth Families for Safe Communities supports Bill C-21 The Danforth Families for Safe Communities are comprised of survivors, families and affected community members who experienced terror and tragedy from gun violence, on July 22, 2018. It was a handgun that was legally imported and distributed to a retailer in one part of the country, then was subsequently stolen and used in our tragedy, wherein a 10-year girl and an 18-year old teenager were killed, and thirteen (13) others were injured, not counting those injured as they fled or those traumatized in the community.

It is our hope that this written brief submission, as well as the statement we make to the SECD , will help this committee as it completes its study. Our experience caused us to become engaged citizens, and participants in the public discussion about Bill C-21. We share our experience, as difficult as that has been, to further the cause of public safety. We believe that the recipe for gun violence prevention is complex and will need many measures, because the root causes and remedies for gun violence are varied.

Every level of government needs to be involved; however, our position is that Bill C-21 is a strong contribution by the Federal level of government, and it needs to be supported by the Senate without undue delay. In

summary, our brief is organized around these points: 1) Gun violence is a continuing problem in Canada, nationwide. 2) There are different ways that guns are used to commit violent and criminal acts on others. Acts reported as being by gangs and organized crime related are only half the problem. 3) We have a worse track record on gun violence than other countries worth comparing. 4) The actions of the industry contribute to the problem. 5) On the supply side, we have TWO problems, not one. Guns used in crimes come from smugglers as well as domestic sources.

Crime guns are not just about guns “streaming across the border to gangs” as some have said. 6) National Surveys conducted by reputable marketing research firms, show that the majority of Canadians support banning of assault-style rifles and handguns. 7) With support of strong and clear regulations, and a restriction on the assortment of handguns to be used for such purposes, a limited exemption for elite sport shooters in the Olympic/Paralympic programs shows compromise if it is not exploited as a loophole that bypasses the handgun freeze.

Bill C-21 allows for such an exemption. 8) Many actions taken in Bill C -21, including bans on assault style rifles and semi -automatic handguns, were recommended by the Mass Casualty Commission. 9) The “handgun freeze” allows for transfers to licensed commercial enterprises, but let’s not back into new ownership and usage models by loophole. 10) Bill C-21 addresses other issues that DFSC and others have raised, including closing loopholes in present laws that allow sales of cartridge magazines to unlicensed consumers.

3 1. Gun violence is a continuing problem in Canada. From Statistics Canada “Police reported 874 homicides in 2022, 78 more than the year before. The homicide rate increased 8% from 2.08 homicides per 100,000 population in 2021 to 2.25 homicides per 100,000 population in 2022. This was the highest rate since 1992. The national incr ease was largely the result of more homicides in British Columbia (+30 homicides), Manitoba (+26 homicides) and Quebec (+20 homicides).

As has been the case historically, provincial homicide rates were highest in Manitoba (6.24 homicides per 100,000 population) and Saskatchewan (5.94 per 100,000). More specifically, 4 in 10 (41%) homicides were firearm -related in 2022, similar to 2021 (40%). Of the 342 firearm-related homicides, 63% were committed with a handgun, and 23% were committed with a rifle or shotgun.

The firearm type was unknown or of another type for the remaining 14% of firearm-related homicides Specific violent Criminal Code offences that involve firearms, such as discharging a firearm with intent, pointing a firearm or using a firearm in the commission of an indictable offence - increased for the eighth consecutive year, rising 4% in 2022 to 12.2 incidents per 100,000 population. The rate of victims of firearm-related crime has generally been increasing since 2013 (+60%).

In 2022, there were 9,198 victims of violent crime where a firearm was present during the commission of the offence (30.8 victims per 100,000 population). This ra te was 10% higher compared with 2021”. Link to StatsCan report Handguns are the weapon most often seen in violent acts involving firearms. “Registered handguns in Canada grew by 71 per cent between 2010 and 2020, totalling an estimated 1.1 million, according to the Canadian government. Handguns were also "the most serious weapon present" in 59 per cent of firearm-related violence crimes in Canada between 2009 and 2020.” Link to source 2.

There are different ways that guns are used to commit violent and criminal acts on others. Gangs and organized crime are only half the problem. Where harm to another person is concerned, it has been suggested by some that the dominant scenario involves gangs and organized crime. StatsCan data does not support this, suggesting instead that classification of firearm related homicides by police forces shows an even split between “gang” incidents and other scenarios such as mass shootings or intimate partner violence.

4 Of the 297 firearm -related homicides that occurred in 2021, almost half (46% or 137 homicides) were considered by police to be gang-related. Link to source report 3. We have a worse track record on gun violence than other countries worth comparing ourselves to. This point has been made by many groups and individuals and maybe it seems obvious. Many countries that permit higher levels of gun ownership trade that off for higher levels of gun death per 100K of population.

Links to source data: Guns Owned by Country per 100K Gun Deaths by Country per 100K Canada should strive to have a zero tolerance policy for gun violence, although only one developed country seems to be close to that , Japan, according to the World Population Review (2023 reports) and they note: “for Japanese citizens to purchase a gun, they must attend an all-day class, pass a written exam, and complete a shooting range test, scoring at least 95% accuracy. Candidates will also receive a mental health evaluation, performed at a hospital, and will have a comprehensive background check done by the government.

Only shotguns and rifles can be purchased. The class and exam must be retaken every three years.” Gun Deaths per 100K Population Guns per 100K Population Canada 2.26 34.7 United States 10.89 120.5 Finland 2.9 32.4 Switzerland 2.72 27.6 Austria 2.65 30 Sweden 1.43 23.1 Germany 1.22 19.6 Australia 0.91 14.5 New Zealand 0.92 26.3 UK 0.24 5.1 Japan 0.08 0.3

5 Japan’s policy results in very low gun ownership numbers and will not be acceptable to Canadians, but certainly we should set , as a minimum , a goal t o have outcomes and policies similar to our fellow Commonwealth countries UK, Australia and New Zealand who also have similar economic profiles. On gun control they have mostly prohibited handguns (UK) or have a higher level of scrutiny for handgun ownership (Australia) and have more aggressive bans on assault style rifles (All three). 4. The actions of the industry contribute to the problem. Canada is not a significant manufacturer of guns. Most guns come from the US, China and a few European countries. An

article in Bloomberg Magazine from August 2023 (Link to

article ), does a nice job of summarizing the implications of modern gun design, manufacturing, and marketing practices using data from their exhaustive search and analysis. This is not a new business model. In the case of firearms, using the Smith and Wesson M&P 40 as an example, this is a gun built to win law enforcement contracts that turns into a consumer product, because there are more potential private owners in the addressable market than there are police forces.

What is happening , if left unchecked, is the industry -driven strategy of ad apting guns for private users with features designed for the military and law enforcement, in a way that allows for such qualification under our firearms guidelines. The industry has not led on public safety. The industry does what it does to drive growth. And the application of our framework has not kept pace.

We have allowed a broader scope of sale and distribution of increasingly lethal weapons to occur, and all the foreseeable results have happened: guns that are lost, stolen, diverted and used in criminal acts that originated with or were used by licensed owners (see Appendix One of this document for examples).

From Bloomberg, August 24, 2023 Authors: Natalie Obiko Pearson, David Kocieniewski and Eric Fan Key points: • Over the past two decades, the annual volume of US-made semiautomatic FIREARM IMPORTS into Canada has increased almost 10-fold. • FIREARM-RELATED CRIMES more than doubled. • And SHOOTINGS increased 869%, from 219 in 2003 to 2,123 in 2022. Link to

article

6 An additional

article published in the Cambridge University Press makes a similar point. The excerpt below discusses the implications for the handgun assortment consumed in Canada. From Cambridge University Press, August 1, 2023 Authors: R. Blake Brown and Rudy Bartlett Link to

article “ Until the early 1990s, most Canadian police carried revolvers, as they had for decades. These weapons were deadly but generally carried just six rounds of ammunition and were slow to reload. In the 1990s, most police exchanged their traditional service r evolvers for modern semi-automatic handguns. Several factors contributed to this transition. Relatively rare, but high -profile, shootings of police motivated the change.

Law enforcement commemorated officer deaths to show the dangers of their work, the bra very of officers, and the need for new guns to protect them from allegedly better armed criminals. The firearms industry encouraged the rearming of police through an aggressive marketing campaign emphasizing that modern police forces required more capable and advanced weapons and by highlighting the military lineage of their products. The transition to semi - automatic handguns sometimes proved controversial, as human rights advocates believed the new handguns could result in excessive use of force.

Despite this concern, most police were rearmed by the beginning of the twenty-first century.” Here is an example of how one unrestricted rifle is marketed: DFSC are not “gun enthusiasts” but we have taken a greater interest in following the marketing and tactics of the gun industry since our tragedy. In presenting our opinion below, for just one firearm of many we could choose, DFSC is not accusing anyone of doing anything illegal .

Our issue is with the law and the standards of advertising in the industry, whereby this kind of product description for this gun is used in its promotion, which we suggest, seems far removed from hunting and sport shooting. The IWI Tavor X95 is the example chosen. This firearm is a Non-Restricted Firearm, found on various web sites for gun retailers in Canada.

This was the lead gun featured on a weekly e-flyer by Firearms Outlet. (Firearms Outlet Canada Inc sales@firearmsoutletcanada.com) (site was accessed when the flyer came out in 2021, and on October 28-2023) https://www.firearmsoutletcanada.com/iwi-x-95-black-9mm-18-6.html/ “The new Tavor X95 is the next generation bullpup from IWI” … (editor’s note IWI stands for Israeli Weapons Industry)

7 https://gun-shop.ca/product/iwi-x95-9mm-18-6-odg/ (site accessed October 28-2023) The X95 is the Special Forces firearm for the 21st century.

Like all IWI firearms, it was developed in close cooperation with elite units of the Israel Defense Force, tailored to their specific requirements and needs . https://g4cgunstore.com/product/iwi-tavor-x95-9mm-18-6-brl-black/ (site accessed October 28-2023) “Firstly, the Tavor X95 (also called Micro -Tavor, MTAR, and MTAR -21) is an Israeli bullpup assault rifle designed and produced by Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) as part of the Tavor rifle family, along with the TAR-21 and the Tavor 7.

Also, in November 2009 the Tavor X95 was selected as the future standard issued weapon of the Israeli infantry.” Here is copy on the manufacturer’s web site, also accessed on October 28, 2023 https://iwi.net/iwi-x95/ Setting a new standard with 4 calibers One weapon – multiple combat scenarios Exceptionally reliable in the harshest conditions Reduces training time and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) The X95’s advanced design and technology was developed in collaboration with the Elite Units of Israel Defense Forces (IDF). … “Designed to meet extreme demands in urban and open combat environments The X95 is manufactured exclusively for the Military, Police, Special Forces and Law Enforcement agencies to deal with modern terror threats, as well as open area combat conditions.

It is produced from high strength impact modified polymer, providing a sturdy and stable, yet remarkably light weapon.” Note from DFSC: critics will suggest that the X95 is a family of guns, and not all variants have the same characteristics. The manufacturer makes no such mention of the suitability of different models of the “brand” as being more appropriate for the use cases in Canada.

8 5. On the supply side, we have TWO problems, not one. Guns used in crimes come from smugglers as well as domestic sources. Crime guns are not just about guns “streaming across the border to gangs” as some have said. I. We have a problem with lost and stolen guns, according to the RCMP’s Firearms Analysis & Strategic

Summary for 2020 . Despite a requirement for safe storage and regulations that mandate secure transport, 8,963 registered firearms were lost or stolen between 2016 and 2020. Only 16% were recovered leaving the majority unaccounted for. Source: the “Firearms Analysis & Strategic

Summary for 2020”, prepared by the RCMP Canadian Firearms Program’s Criminal Firearms Strategic & Operational Support Services and published on 30 July 2021 (the 2020 RCMP Report) II. On a national basis, a significant number of successfully traced crime guns across the country are domestically sourced . The same RCMP report cited above shows that smuggled handguns or “possibly smuggled” handguns represent ONLY 57% of crime guns traced by the CNFTC. In 2020, 42% of handguns traced were domestically sourced.

9 Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms Numbers In a 2023 report, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) statistics show that 8,238 of 24,586, or 33.5%, of crime gun trace requests between 2017 and 2021 were “Traces Associated with Lawful U.S. Exports” to Canada (p. 5). Source: The 2023 ATF report , collectively entitled the “National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Crime Gun Intelligence and Analysis Volume Two Link to ATF report This prevalence of crime guns traced back to Canada by the ATF was discussed in the Bloomberg

article in August of 2023, which was cited earlier: Link to

article From the authors: “…a growing pro -gun movement … has adopted political tactics pioneered in the US. Its proponents argue that the crime surge stems from weapons smuggled from the US and that legal guns play little role. Until recently, data didn’t exist to fact -check that argument because Canada traced few crime guns to their origins. Then in January, the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives disclosed for the first time that of the almost 25,000 Canadian crime guns it traced from 2017 to 2021, one of every three had been legally imported from the US. That figure was three times the global average.” In

summary there needs to be an acknowledgement that guns from ‘legal” sources - used by licensed owners, diverted to unlicensed owners, or lost or stolen from legal gun owners - feature in gun crime. The growth of handguns in private possession has contri buted to this, and will continue to contribute to gun crimes, and there is no justification to let that continue.

DFSC is not disputing the numbers reported by the Toronto Police Service that suggest a high number of crime guns in Toronto, that could be traced , were attributed to smuggling; however, we are suggesting the roll up of national numbers shows we have two problems . Bill C-21 contains measures aimed at curbing supply of the most dangerous guns from both sources.

In addition to the data from the RCMP and ATF, we have attached an Appendix, which is by no means exhaustive; however, it shows several examples, reported by the media, that validate our concern that domestically sourced guns contribute to crime: licensed gun owners commit the crime, guns are lost or stolen, or sometimes legal owners provide guns to unlicensed individuals.

10 6. National Surveys conducted by reputable marketing research firms, show that the majority of Canadians support banning of assault-style rifles and handguns. Three national surveys were conducted in May 2020 as the government enacted the OIC to prohibit use of 1,500 models of assault stye rifles (1,500 was the number of models used at the introduction of the OIC, the number has been updated to ~1,900) . The surveys indicate that the majority of Canadians want a ban on handgun ownership, and they want that nationally.

The Angus Reid Institute published a survey on May 1, 2020, that plainly shows 67% of Canadians want a ban on handguns . Ipsos Canada published a survey on gun control on May 28, 2020, where 71% of respondents indicated that “the federal government’s legislation (related to assault weapons) should also include a ban on all handguns”. A third survey was commissioned by the Montreal based gun control advocacy group PolySeSouvient, and asked whether Canadians felt the decision to ban handguns should be federally determined or left to municipalities.

This Environics Research poll shows a full 69% of Canadians prefer gun control laws banning or further restricting handguns to be national and applied uniformly across the country. 7. With support of strong and clear regulations, and a restriction on the assortment of handguns to be used for such purposes, a limited exemption for elite sport shooters in the Olympic/Paralympic programs shows compromise if it is not exploited as a loophole that bypasses the handgun freeze. Bill C-21 allows for such an exemption. Most elite shooters in our Olympic program are not in a discipline requiring a handgun9.

Most of Canada’s history and participation in elite sport shooting categories involves a rifle or shotgun. However, there are six events which use specialized and very specific pistols and Bill C-21 has retained an exemption for those who are legitimately pursuing the Olympics, Paralympics and related qualifying events sanctioned by the International Sports Shooting Federation (ISSF). Source: Data assembled from Canadian Olympic Committee website The Olympic/Paralympic programme features the use of very specific pistols.

We expect the government to clarify through regulation that the guns used by elite pistol shooters are the guns very specifically within the ISSF/IOC specification, as the

interpretation of “any deemed necessary for training” as the Bill reads. In short, there is no “M&P 40 category” and no reason to include these higher powered, semi-automatic handguns for this program.

11 Pistol specifications: Pistol (50m pistol, Men's 25m rapid fire pistol, Women's 25m pistol): The men's 50m pistol competitors use a small bore pistol with a .22 -inch caliber and with no restrictions on length, width or weight. The women's event and the men's rapid fire competito rs use a .22 long rifle caliber pistol capable of firing five shots. A maximum weight of 3.0865 lbs. is specified with a minimum triggers pull weight of 2.2046 lbs.

The grip must not touch the wrist, and the pistol must be able to fit in a box shaped 300 x 150 x 50 (all millimeters) with at least 1 millimeter in between the box sides and the gun. Air pistol (10m pistol): With a maximum weight of 3.3069 lbs., the air pistol has a .177 -inch caliber.

The minimum trigger pull weight is 1.1023 lbs. and the air pistol must be able to fit in a box sized 420 x 200 x 50 (all millimeters) Source The exemption should not extend to other organizations, such as IPSC The SECU committee considered and then rejected exemptions for organizations such as International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC), which is really a set of com petitions built around simulations of military, combat and police training .

DFSC are relieved about that stance because acceptance of IPSC would not restrict the assortment of handguns in use, and would certainly be used as a loophole to bypass the handgun freeze. IPSC rules allow for five (5) categories for handguns , and they include an “open category”. The informality of IPSC versus the standards exerted by the IOC and ISSF, and the breadth of potential eligible guns that could be used, would be a pathway for continued growth of handgun ownership, undermining the intention of Bill C-21. The representative from IPSC made this note himself during SECU testimony.

We support the SECU committee’s conclusion that elite sport shooting should be narrowly managed within the parameters of the rules of the IOC/ISSF. Source

12 Therefore, Bill C-21 allows a path for elite sport shooting, for those that want to pursue this activity, while curtailing the risk that handguns designed for police and military use remain widely available. A quote attributed to a “government source” suggests that 8,000 users might qualify for this exemption. That number is surprising given the relatively low participation in non -air pistol handgun categories. However, the issue of who qualifies can be dealt with through regulations, but it could be significant. Link to

article that contains comment by government representative 8. Many actions taken in Bill C -21, including bans on assault style rifles and semi -automatic handguns were recommended by the Mass Casualty Commission. 38. Recommendation C.21 - REDUCING GUN LETHALITY The Commission recommends that (

a) The federal government should amend the Criminal Code to prohibit all semi -automatic handguns and all semi -automatic rifles and shotguns that discharge centre -fire ammunition and that are designed to accept detachable magazines with capacities of more than five rounds. (

b) The federal government should amend the Criminal Code to prohibit the use of a magazine with more than five rounds so as to close the loopholes in the existing law that permit such firearms. (

c) The federal government should amend the Firearms Act. (

i) to require a licence to possess ammunition; (ii) to require a licence to buy a magazine for a firearm; and (iii) to require a licensee to purchase ammunition only for the gun for which they are licensed. (

d) The federal government should establish limits on the stockpiling of ammunition by individual firearms owners. (

e) The federal government should reform the classification system for firearms and develop a standardized

schedule and

definitions of prohibited firearms within the Criminal Code of Canada, wit an emphasis on simplicity and consistency. (

f) The federal government should take steps to rapidly reduce the number of prohibited semi - automatic firearms in circulation in Canada The Mass Casualty Commission recommendation, C.21 (page 26). 9. The “handgun freeze” allows for transfers to licensed commercial enterprises, but let’s not back into new ownership and usage models by loophole

13 DFSC has noted that the measures in Bill C-21, regarding changes to the Firearms Act, will allow handgun transfers from private individuals to those holding commercial licenses. This aspect of the Firearms Act might create an ownership model where private individuals sell their handguns to gun ranges, and/or handguns are otherwise procured and owned by gun ranges , so that they could be used by private individuals on-premise for target shooting .

Such a model would significantly reduce the number of owners, would focus the liability for such ownership on fewer owners, and would reduce the points of distribution that creates risk in the current model of broad private ownership. If this model were to show signs of interest by the marketplace, it should be studied , and the Shooting Clubs and Shooting Range Regulations strengthened, prior to allowing for such transfers to occur.

There is no mention of the range as an owner of firearms – regulations describe how what is generally a non-profit facility must operate to accommodate those that own the firearms they use at the facility. Current Regulations We also note cases reported where the range itself, presumably storing weapons onsite, was the target of theft. Regulations would need to set higher security standards if this ownership model were to scale. Example of shooting range theft 10.

Bill C-21 addresses other issues that DFSC has raised, including closing loopholes in present laws that allowing sales of cartridge magazines to unlicensed consumers.

Within the Bill, there are measures that are designed to address concerns that we have held, besides the wide private ownership of handguns and assault-style rifles. • Giving law enforcement tools to address ghost guns such as defining them, and then dealing with licensing firearm parts and possession of computer data (designs) that allow for their manufacture • The requirement for a license to purchase cartridge magazines – a loophole that enabled our perpetrator • Offence for modifying the capacity of magazines • Longer sentence for gun smuggling, and allowing greater latitude on surveillance of those suspected of being engaged in such acts • And we fully support that these laws should not be implemented in such a way as to interfere with Indigenous rights to hunt, as has been noted At the time that the Bill was introduced, there were important budgetary measures as well: The Building Safer Communities Fund (BSCF) was announced by the Minister of Public Safety, an idea held over from the prior Bill C-21 (2019).

The $250 Million spending commitment has been , and will be , directed to community initiatives that provide programming to discourage youth from entering the gang lifestyle. This fund compliments the “anti-gangs” funding provided directly to police forces, for resources they need to combat gun violence. Example of the BSCF announced for London, Ontario

14 New funding for the CBSA to carry out more intensive searches for g uns being trafficked illegally across our border with the United States. DFSC supports Bill C -21 because it is about more than gun bans ; however, we need the gun control measures as part of a strategy for building a public health response to gun violence. That framework includes addressing root causes, strategies for healing, and curbing access to the means of harm, which this Bill does in a targeted way.

Concluding Comment We need fairness and safety to guide choices that will balance the policies of gun ownership and the interests of our broader society, which is affected by such decisions. Bill C-21 is a necessary contribution, and it will help achieve this balance. Danforth Families for Safe Communities DFSC is a group of survivors, families, friends and community members impacted by the shooting tragedy on Danforth Avenue, Toronto, Canada, on July 22, 2018, where a young girl and a teenager were killed and 13 others were shot by a lone gunman.

The DFSC have come together in the wake of our tragedy to share our views and experience, in the hope that others will not have to experience anything similar. https://www.danforthfamilies.com danforthfamiliessc@gmail.com

15 Appendix One Articles from Media That Highlight Misuse/Diversion/Theft/Shootings with “Legal” Firearms in Canada List compiled by Danforth Families for Safe Communities Despite claims that no “legal gun owners” are responsible for death or tragedy with firearms, that is simply not true. These are examples that DFSC have seen reported by reputable press sources. It so important that our lawmakers are cautious about guns. More guns will lead to more incidents of accidents, death and abuse. We need to minimize these outcomes.

Because Canada is a hunting nation and a relatively heavy owner of guns among private citizens, DFSC does not expect that all guns can or should be eliminated. But we can take action to remove the most dangerous of these, especially where their necessity as a tool for hunting or farming is in doubt. ========================================================================= High Profile examples of shootings involving Licensed Gun Owners (past 10 years): Sault Ste Marie

(2023) Hamilton, ON

(2023) Toronto, ON

(2022) Vaughn, ON

(2022) Salmon Arm BC,

(2020) Rideau Hall, ON,

(2020) Squamish, BC,

(2020) Lindsay, ON

(2018) Guysborough County, Nova Scotia

(2017) Quebec City

(2017) Ottawa

(2015) Bracebridge, ON

(2013) 16 Examples of Thefts (Handguns): https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/rcmp-carnduff-guns-stolen-1.4916813 (Nov. 22/18) https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winkler-brandon-gun-thefts-1.4922641 (*Nov. 27/18) https://www.pembinavalleyonline.com/articles/gun-store-theft (Nov. 25/19) *update https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/handguns-oakbank-home-stolen-1.4982203 (*Jan 17/19) https://visitsask.com/news_story.php?id=1210 (Jan 18/19) *more info on the 53 firearms stolen, including 12 handguns) https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/n-s-man-s-guns-stolen-while-he-attended-father-s-funeral- 1.4782713 (Jan. 24/20) https://globalnews.ca/news/6655252/meteghan-stolen-handguns-break-and-enter/(Mar. 11/20) https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/handguns-stolen-stjohns-1.5679375 (Aug. 9/20) https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/crime/2020/08/10/no-silver-bullet-solution-to-gun-crime- in-niagara.html (Aug. 10/20) https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/handgun-taken-after-owner-forgets-it-outside- dartmouth-home-1.5722478 (Sept. 13/20) https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/01/04/cache-of-guns-stolen-during-break-in- near-mattawa.html (Jan. 4/21) https://www.swiftcurrentonline.com/articles/semi-automatic-stolen-from-shaunavon- residence (Sept. 21/21) https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/news/2022/rcmp-investigating-theft-14-firearms (Mar 24/22) https://globalnews.ca/news/8817340/firearms-stolen-southern-alberta-gun-club/ (*May 7/22) https://calgaryherald.com/news/crime/firearms-stolen-from-dunmore-gun-club-rcmp (May 7/22) https://www.stalberttoday.ca/local-news/handguns-stolen-st-albert-store-1297852 (Feb. 9/18) https://www.chch.com/21-handguns-stolen-fonthill-gun-shop/ (Oct. 5/18)

17 Examples of Thefts involving other firearms: https://edmontonjournal.com/news/crime/firearm-thefts-in-alberta-jump-66-per-cent-in- three-years-rcmp (March 5/17) https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/souris-long-guns-theft-1.4979895 (Jan 15/19) https://london.ctvnews.ca/numerous-guns-and-other-items-stolen-while-people-were-at- funerals-opp-1.4675083 (Nov. 7/19) https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/moose-jaw-police-guns-stolen-1.5393629 (Dec. 12/19) https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/thieves-swipe-firearms-conservation-officer-s-truck-in-pincher- creek-break-in-1.4770105 (Jan. 16/20) https://thestarphoenix.com/news/crime/tent-saskatoon-police-record-__-firearm-seizures-so- far-this-year (May 6/20) https://www.theprogress.com/news/b-c-man-frustrated-with-canada-post-after-gun-delivery- stolen-from-front-door/ (May 12/20) https://london.ctvnews.ca/four-guns-stolen-from-store-in-aylmer-ont-1.4991461 (Jun. 19/20) https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/news/2020/rcmp-seeking-publics-help-rash-breakenter-and- theft-seasonal-homes-0?re (Aug. 14/20) https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/halifax-police-break-and-enter-suspect-stolen- firearms-1.5717593 (Sept. 09/20) https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/news/2020/rcmp-investigating-theft-vehicle-and-firearms?re (Nov. 3/20) https://www.cjls.com/2021/01/20/shelburne-rcmp-investigate-multiple-break-and- enters/?fbclid=IwAR3YAS334evixLXmSne0PAzvnske07QlGlJn9noCeeD6AlwxGyH2wSQbtA8 (Jan. 20/21) https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/news/2021/rcmp-investigates-break-enter-and-theft- firearms?re (Jan. 26/21) https://leaderpost.com/news/crime/city-police-seizing-numerous-guns-massive-amount-of- drugs (Feb. 4/21) https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/news/2021/update-four-arrested-wellington-home- invasion?re (Feb. 26/21)

18 https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/news/2021/corner-brook-rcmp-investigates-cabin-break-and- enters-big-cooks-pond-seeks-public?re (Mar. 11/21) https://globalnews.ca/news/8174789/regina-stolen-hunting-equipment-arrest/ (Sept. 8/21) https://globalnews.ca/news/8475513/dartmouth-canadian-tire-stolen-firearms/ (Dec. 27/21) Examples of Reported Straw purchases (Handguns): https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/straw-purchasing-domestic-weapons-trafficking- increase-1.4704987 (June 14/18) https://globalnews.ca/news/5677627/winnipeg-man-facing-weapons-trafficking-charges-in-straw- purchase-gun-incident/ (July 24/19) https://edmontonjournal.com/news/crime/grande-prairie-woman-charged-with-gun-trafficking-in- alleged-straw-purchasing-scheme (October 7/19) https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/handgun-straw-purchaser-with-gambling-addiction- sentenced-to-eight-years-in-prison (Feb. 7/20) https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/airdrie-alert-straw-purchasing-firearms-brady-fisher- 1.5569889 (May 14/20) https://globalnews.ca/news/6964925/grande-prairie-restricted-handguns-alert/ (May 20/20) https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/rosetown-man-charged-with-allegedly-selling-handguns- 1.6263934 (Nov. 26/21) https://www.cfseu.bc.ca/two-men-charged-in-straw-purchaser-investigation-have-been-sentenced/ (May 10/22) https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/justice-et-faits-divers/2022-10-21/six-ans-de-penitencier-pour-un- trafiquant-d-armes/du-trafic-d-armes-pas-si-payant.php (Oct 21/22) Examples of Straw purchases involving other firearms or accessories: https://beta.ctvnews.ca/local/edmonton/2020/5/12/1_4935658.html (May 12/20) https://globalnews.ca/news/7537312/edmonton-firearms-trafficking-buy-and-sell-website/ (Dec. 22/20) https://www.cfseu.bc.ca/man-convicted-of-firearms-offences-after-acting-as-straw-purchaser/ (Mar. 5/21)

19 https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/news/halifax-gun-dealer-facing-criminal-charges- 100636368/ (Sept. 20/21) Examples of other cases involving gun owners (charged with illegal possession, illegal use, etc.) https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/candle-lake-sask-chase-althouse-sep-12-1.5723453 (Sept.14/20) https://www.thesudburystar.com/news/local-news/man-charged-in-chelmsford-weapons-incident (Sept. 30/20) https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/maple-ridge-man-arrested-for-allegedly-firing-handguns- in-residential-area/ (Nov. 3/20) https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/lindsay-shooting-1.5819987 (Nov. 27/20) https://beta.cp24.com/news/2020/12/29/1_5247188.html?s=09 (Dec. 29/20) https://www.saltwire.com/halifax/news/provincial/pictou-county-man-charged-after-shooting-at-dog- hitting-person-instead-543043/ (Jan 20/21) https://www.thompsoncitizen.net/nickel-belt-news/moose-lake-rcmp-arrest-man-on-gun-charges-at- sesame-street-residence-4296810 (Mar 4/21) https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/dog-loft-woman-armed-semi-automatic-rifle- winnipeg-st-boniface-1.6046347 (May 31/21 https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/news/2021/rcmp-seeking-publics-help-identify-individual-careless-use- firearm?re (July 15/21) http://globalnews.ca/news/8174789/regina-stolen-hunting-equipment-arrest/ (Sept. 8/21) https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2021/10/08/man-arrested-in-triple-homicide-was-a- suspect-in-death-threats-against-peter-mackay.html (Oct. 8/21) https://barrie360.com/innisfil-handgun-weapons-police-residence/ (Oct. 10/21) https://globalnews.ca/news/8272469/calgary-falconridge-shooting-victim/ (Oct. 17/21) https://www.cp24.com/news/acton-man-left-gun-on-rear-of-pickup-truck-before-driving- 1.5648017 (Nov. 2/21) https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/n-b-man-charged-following-shooting-incident-in-hoyt-1.5669668 (Nov. 17/21) https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/2021/11/29/kitchener-man-90-had-325-firearms- in-house.html (Nov. 29/21)

20 https://www.pembrokeobserver.com/news/local-news/borutiski-inquest-announcement-to-be-held-in- pembroke-next-month (Dec. 18/21) https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/ensemble-pour-thomas-trudel-ban-handguns- legault-friends-1.6294570 (Dec. 21/21) https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/german-immigrants-afraid-after-cape-breton-man- charged-1.6319215 (*Jan. 19/22)https://www.halifaxexaminer.ca/featured/cops-seized-11-firearms- hundreds-of-boxes-of-ammunition-and-more-than-130000-in-cash-from-frank-eckhardt/ (* further coverage Jan. 14/22) https://bc.ctvnews.ca/4-adult-victims-of-fatal-richmond-b-c-shooting-from-same-family-police-not- seeking-suspect-1.5756759 (Jan. 27/22) https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/lilley-siu-report-reveals-potential-hard-truths-about-slain- gunsmith (Mar. 6/22) https://www.cheknews.ca/legal-guns-illegal-magazines-experts-weigh-in-on-saanich-shooting- 1056903/ (Jul. 5/22)