Why do Canadians blame Americans for Canadian gun crime?

Question

I've heard some Canadians blame the United States for gun crime in Canada, because if someone goes across the border, buys a gun and takes it back into Canada and kills someone with it - apparently that's the fault of Americans.

The law in the United States is that people have the right to own a gun. It's in the constitution. That’s not the case in Canada. Guns are not legal there (for self defense purposes). If that's the law in Canada... it's up to the Canadian government to enforce that law, it‘s not up to us to make sure guns don‘t get into Canada. If someone smuggles a gun into Canada, you can't blame the U.S. for that.

Answer 1

Good point. As a Canadian I see it your way. Now can you start telling Americans to stop blaming Canada for Terrorists in the US that YOU let into your country, and didn't even pass through Canada. But somehow we are to blame. And stop blaming Canada for the pot that is smuggled into the US. It wouldn't even be grown here if there wasn't a market to sell it there. And don't blame us for the American youth that come up to Canada to drink because they are old enough here, just because they aren't old enough there... Oh, and stop blaming Canada for not being in Iraq. Sorry we didn't declare war on them, but if you wanted us there you should have thought of that when you independently invaded without UN back up. But quit whining about it, we are in Afghanistan.

Answer 2

Finally, SteveN and christinanesbitt actually come up with sensible answers, rather than the whole "you tell those Americans who's boss" crap that this thread has seemingly dropped to.

So you say that America blames Canada for things? Really? The only people in the U.S. who blame Canada for anything are Bush and his Neo-Cons, and no one in the U.S. pays any attention to them anymore anyway, so why should you. If you're not telling Americans that we're blaming you for stuff, you're telling us that we don't pay any attention to you at all.

I have heard of Canadians blaming Americans for gun crime in Canada, primarily with the hand guns. I've never really taken it that seriously though.

Answer 3

Ruby... your info is a little inaccurate.

In Canada, we have a gun registry which keeps track of all guns bought by Canadians. The USA doesn't have this system. Therefore, it is very easy to lose track of thousands of your guns. Many of those lost weapons are being smuggled into Canada and sold on the streets. So, really, it is the fault of both countries at the borders for not being vigilant enough.

Answer 4

I don't recall much blame being laid upon the U.S. regarding gun crimes in Canada. However, I think if it happened the other way around, if a Canadian got a gun into the U.S. and killed someone, a lot of blame would be put on Canada. I recall there being an issue about the 9/11 hijackers coming through Canada.

So is your opinion that if someone is leaving your borders with a gun then it is not an issue? Out of sight out of mind mentality?

Answer 5

What you are listening to are a few politicians who grabbed that story and uses it as a soundbyte for their own personal goals. Namely, mayor David Miller of Toronto and former Prime Minister Paul Martin. As usual, the whole truth does not make it to the surface.

In response to the boxing day shooting that left a 15 year old girl dead due to gang violence, they justifiably wanted to assure the outraged public about what they were going to do about the escalating violence in Canadian cities.

What was quoted by news agencies here (based on experts opinions) was that due to Canada and USA having the longest and least defended border between two countries of our size, we have been dealing with a variety of problems on BOTH sides of the border.

Some of these issues include:

1) Guns that can be purchased easily in US cities (legally or illegally) and smuggled back into Canada where there are month long wait times for guns, and all firearms must be registered.

2) Illegal immigration between USA and Canada, potentially allowing terrorists an easy way to enter into the USA.

3) Drug trafficking that can occur between the borders, bringing marijuana down to USA, and extasy and cocaine back up to Canada. Police in BC and Washington actually caught a guy who had made a tunnel to smuggle his drugs between the borders so they would not be seen or caught crossing the border.

The key is that on both sides, we have perhaps been too relaxed about our common border. What we need is increased patrols, more technology to monitor incursions, and some way to improve searches at the border without increasing wait times.

I like what they do in some other countries for the borders. When you get to the border, you press a button. If the light turns green, you get only a minor review with the border guard. If it turns red, you have been chosen for a random search, and must step aside while they check your car, baggage, or pass a drug- or explosive-sniffing dog over your items.

You also might like to read what researchers at Syracuse University had to say about our common border and the Bush administration's handling of this "security risk" since 9/11 occurred.

Answer 6

Go Juan Go!

I'm also a Canadian and have never heard anyone blame Americans for idiots that buy guns and shot other Canadians.

Remember the blackout down east a couple years ago? The Americans blamed Canada for that too at first and it wasn't our fault.

Answer 7

by means of fact Canada is packed with conceited liberals, that look down their nostril at every person with a differing perspective. Whoever advised you that Canadian cities with large populations are extra secure than their US counter areas are packed with BS. to no longer point out, Canada has approximately as many gun vendors by means of fact the U. S..

Answer 8

I guess you're key word is "some" [Canadians]. I agree with you; whoever you talked with who blamed "Americans" clearly does not like you guys because it's our Canadian customs officers need to pay more attention.

By the way, we can own guns for hunting purposes. There is lots of paperwork that we have to fill out to own the gun, but we can still own them.

Answer 9

Canadians, like everyone else, are saturated with US made television crime shows and movies that glorify wholesale slaughter. I have never known any Canadian to "blame" the US for issues of gun smuggling, criminal acts done with guns or, indeed, anything whatsoever to do with guns.

Note to JuanB: RIGHT ON!!! Great answer!

Answer 10

Good answer Juan and pinkpigl. Wasn't that middle-of-the-summer, middle-of-the-heatwave blackout the result of too many Americans in New York and Detroit jacking up their air conditioners? At least, that's what I heard at the time. Before that, I didn't even know that we sold our hydro to the States. I wonder where else they could get their hydro, if not from us?