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'Naive': Police chiefs say handgun ban won't stop flow of weapons into Canada

Vancouver Police Chief Adam Palmer pauses during a news conference in Vancouver, B.C., on Wednesday November 8, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

CALGARY — The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police won’t be supporting a ban on handguns despite concerns about gun violence in a number of major cities including Toronto.

Vancouver police Chief Adam Palmer, who heads the organization,  says Canada already has strong firearms regulations and no other law is required.

Toronto Mayor John Tory is asking the federal government for a handgun ban after recent shootings in his city and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said he will consider additional gun-control measures.

Palmer says in the majority of cases involving gun violence, the handguns being used are already illegal and it makes no sense to  ban something that is already prohibited.

He also notes guns will continue to make their way to Canada from the United States whether there’s a ban or not.

Police chiefs have been meeting in Calgary and also discussed the importance of improving mental-health support for officers across the country.

 

The Canadian Press