(OTTAWA) Several women’s groups are urging the federal Liberals to drop the idea of allowing someone who feels threatened to seek a court order to remove firearms from the hands of a potential stalker or abuser.
Posted at 6:28 p.m.
These organizations believe that this so-called “red flag” measure, which was included in the dead on the order paper bill last year, would lead to more tragedies, by shifting the burden of law enforcement to potential victims. gun control.
These groups have written to federal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino and his fellow Women and Gender Equality Minister Marci Ien as the Liberal government is working on a new gun control bill. fire.
Photo PATRICK DOYLE, archives REUTERS
Federal Minister of Public Security Marco Mendicino
The letter, dated May 16, is signed by Tiffany Butler, director of the National Association of Women and the Law, on behalf of directors of a dozen organizations, including the Regroupement des maisons pour femmes victims de violence conjugale, the Fonds Legal Education and Action for Women and the Canadian Women’s Foundation.
Firearms increase the likelihood that domestic violence will end in death. Firearms lead to an increase in the number of victims: children are often also killed or injured and, in 50% of domestic violence cases involving firearms, the perpetrator commits suicide.
Extract from the letter
Women’s groups oppose a provision of last year’s federal bill that proposed to create a new regime for emergency restraining orders. Under this “red flag” regime, anyone could ask a provincial court judge to prohibit another person from possessing a firearm for 30 days for safety reasons.
Instead, agencies support efforts to use available means, along with additional powers and community education, to identify risks and quickly remove firearms from the hands of people who pose a threat to them. themselves or for others.
“There is no support for offloading or eroding the accountability of law enforcement and other government officials in the implementation of gun laws,” the report said. the organisms.
“They are, and must, remain responsible and accountable to ensure that firearms licenses are denied and revoked where there are potential risks to women. Citizens or other organizations, let alone potential victims, should not be expected to put themselves in danger by going to court to seek action, which should be immediate and the direct responsibility of the police. »
It is widely recognized that women are at greatest risk during and after separation, say women’s groups. “Shifting the burden of law enforcement onto women and third parties, as Bill C-21’s ‘red flag’ provisions attempt to do, is a guaranteed path to increased numbers. of deceased. »
Known patterns of violence
The agencies cite a number of shootings in which people were aware of patterns of threats and violence against women. “In some cases, the police were notified, but no action was taken. »
The letter urges the government to focus on training, more rigorous screening, better law enforcement and accountability of police and other officials “responsible for ensuring the safety of women and other potential victims of gun violence.” “.
The groups are calling on the government to promote the use of existing “red flag” mechanisms already in the system, such as the “Firearms Persons of Interest” system, and to ensure that they are used as foreseen.
In particular, they believe that the authorities should:
- ensure that a wide range of offenses and behaviors trigger these red flags;
- encourage community members, health professionals and others to report red flags;
- ensure that immediate and effective action is taken in response to such reports;
- and make the substantial new investments needed in training, stronger screening, better law enforcement and accountability of police and other officials responsible for ensuring the safety of women and other potential victims of violence. army.
The cabinets of ministers Mendicino and Ien had no immediate comment on Wednesday.
In a recent mandate letter to Royal Canadian Mounted Police Commissioner Brenda Lucki, Mendicino stressed that victims of domestic violence deserve protection.
He asked M.me Lucki to work with firearms officers across Canada to promptly respond to calls from Canadians who have concerns about the safety of anyone with access to firearms, and to work with law enforcement authorities competent to remove firearms quickly if necessary. Mme Lucki was also responsible for educating and training staff on the importance of recording incidents involving dangerous behavior and firearms.
The upcoming gun control legislation is expected to address several distinct issues. The Liberals have promised a mandatory buy-back of banned firearms they consider “assault weapons”, a ban on high-capacity magazines and new efforts to crack down on gun smuggling. The Liberals have also pledged to work with any province or territory that wishes to ban handguns.
Women’s groups and many other organizations that lobby for tougher gun laws are advocating for a truly nationwide ban on handguns.
The letter to ministers Mendicino and Ien says Ottawa should not leave the regulation of firearms, including handguns, to provinces or municipalities. “To ensure effective gun control in Canada, your government must proactively exercise the full extent of its powers in this area,” it reads.
The letter was also endorsed by the directors of eight other organizations, including the National Council of Women of Canada and the Canadian Council of Muslim Women.