Canada moves to ban handguns as America negotiates gun laws

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau introduced legislation that, if passed, will make it illegal to buy, sell, transfer or import handguns anywhere in Canada. It also bans toy guns that authorities say look authentic and can be dangerous. 

“We recognize that the vast majority of gun owners use them safely and in accordance with the law. But other than using firearms for sport shooting and hunting, there is no reason anyone in Canada should need guns in their everyday lives,” Trudeau said when introducing the legislation. 

The bill would also create a red-flag law that allows courts to require people deemed a danger to themselves or others to surrender their firearms. Canada is separately considering a mandatory assault weapon buyback program later this year. 

In the United States, Congress is just starting negotiations on possible new gun laws in the wake of last week’s school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. The House Judiciary Committee is holding an emergency hearing June 2 on the “Protecting our Kids Act”, which would among many things, increase the legal age for buying semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21. The House Oversight and Reform Committee is holding a hearing on gun violence June 8. The committee’s chairwoman Carolyn Maloney is requesting information from gun makers on their manufacturing, marketing and sales practices.

President Joe Biden visited Uvalde over Memorial Day weekend and met with victims and their families. Upon his return to Washington, he expressed skepticism about the need for so-called high caliber weapons. The president appeared to indicate a 9mm handgun could fall into that category. 

“But I can’t outlaw a weapon, I can’t, you know, change the background checks, I can’t do that,” President Biden said. “The Constitution, the Second Amendment was never absolute.”

President Biden said people were barred from buying many weapons when the Second Amendment was written and specifically mentioned cannons. That claim has been fact-checked as false by multiple outlets, including the Washington Post.

At the NRA annual meeting, Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, said mental health is the big problem.

“But the existence of evil in our world is not a reason to disarm law abiding citizens who know how to use their weapon and can protect a lot of people,” former President Trump said.  

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said the right to own a gun is imperative for many Americans who need it for self defense. 

“For a single mom in a dangerous neighborhood, it is a matter of basic security. Taking guns away from these responsible Americans will not make them safer. Nor will it make our nation more secure,” Cruz said. 

At the annual gathering, NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre said making schools safe is a “national emergency.” Members of the organization have expressed support for hardening schools and arming and training teachers.