Canada blames U.S. for gun violence

cnn ^ | 12-27-05

[LouAvul]

TORONTO, Ontario (AP) -- Canadian officials, seeking to make sense of another fatal shooting in what has been a record year for gun-related deaths, said Tuesday that along with a host of social ills, part of the problem stemmed from what they said was the United States exporting its violence.

Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin and Toronto Mayor David Miller warned that Canada could become like the United States after gunfire erupted Monday on a busy street filled with holiday shoppers, killing a 15-year-old girl and wounding six bystanders -- the latest victims in a record surge in gun violence in Toronto.

The shooting stemmed from a dispute among a group of 10 to 15 youth, and the victim was a teenager out with a parent near a popular shopping mall, police said Tuesday.

"I think it's a day that Toronto has finally lost its innocence," Det. Sgt. Savas Kyriacou said. "It was a tragic loss and tragic day."

While many Canadians take pride in Canadian cities being less violent than their American counterparts, Toronto has seen 78 murders this year, including a record 52 gun-related deaths -- almost twice as many as last year.

"What happened yesterday was appalling. You just don't expect it in a Canadian city," the mayor said.

"It's a sign that the lack of gun laws in the U.S. is allowing guns to flood across the border that are literally being used to kill people in the streets of Toronto," Miller said.

[NorthOf45]

When you refuse to take responsibility, you blame someone else. Pathetic

It's the same as how the libs here in Canada are running their election campaign ... stay away from the scary Conservatives.

[barj]

I think it is car and vehicle manufacturers. Those guns didn't walk to Canada. If we could ban vehicles and travel it would be more difficult to transport weapons and illegal gang members.

[thinking]

Instead of burning cars, "they" are shooting anyone that gets in the way....

[dr_who_2]

It's campaign season. Mr. Martin is using the Franco-German Strategy to save his skin. It may work, unfortunately.

[television is just wrong]

I guess maybe they shouldn't have agreed to NAFTA. They can close their borders and send home their visitors (illegals) too. If that is what is causing their problem...

[Mark was here]

Do you suppose immigration policy may have any bearing on this violence?

I would like to see the statistics comparing White folks in Canada to White folks in the USA. I would bet they would not be that different.

[DogBarkTree]

Pehaps they should build a wall. We wont be offended. Promise.

[B Knotts]

Well, I think it's more a cultural issue than a racial or ethnic issue.

If you look at similar areas culturally, like rural areas, on both sides of the border, crime rates are nearly identical, despite much higher rates of gun ownership on the U.S. side.

[Mark was here]

Well, I think it's more a cultural issue than a racial or ethnic issue.

In order to solve a problem, you must honestly address it. There is a problem in the politics of certain groups, and no one will mention it for fear of being called the "R" word. Because there is no way to honestly talk about the problem, we revert to code words such as culture, I really do not see a solution to the violence.

[Beckwith]

PCS ~ poor cousin syndrome

[sheik yerbouty]

I blame Al Qanada for sending jihadists to the US!

[caveat emptor]

Canadian officials, seeking to make sense of another fatal shooting in what has been a record year for gun-related deaths, said Tuesday that along with a host of social ills, part of the problem stemmed from what they said was the United States exporting its violence.

Yes. It's because of NAFTA: The North American Firearm Traffiking Agreement.