- Gun control debate continues in Quebec. COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
By Giulia Frisina
There was another firearm incident in Canada on Monday, after a 16-year-old boy was shot with at least one bullet to his upper body by his 12-year-old brother in his home in Dorval, Que.
The CBC is reporting that the 16-year-old boy and his 12-year-old brother were playing with the gun in their home.
CTV reported that the 12-year-old, who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was charged by Montreal police Tuesday.
The boy made a 911 call around 5:30 am Monday reporting that his brother had been shot.
The mother, who was not home at the time, was reportedly taken to hospital to be treated for shock.
“Although this story is unfortunate, it is rare that these things happen,” said Blair Hagen, vice president of National Firearms Association, an organization that keep gun owners informed about current and pending legislation including Canada’s ever changing long gun registration program.
“If the gun is stored properly these things should not happen,” he said.
“People see a tragedy and automatically want to ban guns without actually knowing Canadian gun control laws,” Hagen said. “The fact is that if you don’t own a fire-arm then the laws should not affect you.”
Jim Newman, the Executive Director for the Canadian Firearms Institute recently worked with Campaign Research who surveyed over 1,000 people about their opinion on legal firearms.
“Seventy-six per cent of people surveyed believe in legalizing firearms,” said Newman. “The study found that the higher the income and education level, the more they believed in legal firearms.”
Founded in the wake of the Montreal Massacre, an organization called Coalition for Gun Control was formed to support strategies to reduce gun death, injury and crime.
Emily Bourgeon, one of the founding members said the coalition is not out to abolish all guns but it advocates for improving the current laws put in place.
“We believe in sensible gun control measures and we believe that the government can take action and improve the current laws,” said Bourgeon.