When it comes to Canada’s often tense debate around gun laws, most Canadians likely will not have heard of an RCMP database called the Firearms Reference Table, or FRT.

The FRT is a database used by the RCMP to help classify firearms. That classification determines whether a gun is non-restricted, restricted or prohibited.

Technically, the FRT isn’t a legal instrument, but instead just an internal RCMP tool based on definitions set out in the Criminal Code and Firearms Act. But in practice?

“It’s both the law and not the law,” said A.J. Somerset, the author of Arms: The Culture and Credo of the Gun.

    • Arkouda@lemmy.ca
      25·
      19 days ago

      Never said “never” but it’s certainly not a very large amount compared to illegal weapons.

      Legal firearms and licensed firearm owners are not the problem in Canada and never have been; smuggling weapons out of the US to known criminals is where the issue lies, and where the violence comes from.

      I would recommend a rephrase of your argument then, because you clearly said legal weapons and owners are not the problem and never have been.

      My suggestion:

      “Legal firearms and licensed firearm owners make up a small percentage of violent crimes using firearms in Canada; Smuggling illegal weapons into Canada makes up a larger percentage of violent crimes using firearms, and the priority should be increased border enforcement.”

      I’ve bowhunted, it’s a pain in the ass for providing food and frankly, I’m not in it for the thrill of the chase. I’m feeding myself and my family.

      There are ways to feed your family without hunting. I don’t find “I am not good at bow hunting” to be a solid argument in support of firearms being necessary. This is because hunting isn’t necessary.

      And if they got them banned, they’d have to actually find a productive job.

      Who is they?

      • masterspace@lemmy.caEnglish
        15·
        18 days ago

        "“Legal firearms and licensed firearm owners make up a small percentage of violent crimes using firearms in Canada; Smuggling illegal weapons into Canada makes up a larger percentage of violent crimes using firearms, and the priority should be increased border enforcement.”

        13%, i.e. 3 out of every 25 guns is not a small percentage.

        A small percentage that is not worth talking about is less than 5% to fractional percentages. 13% is rather significant.