Message #54 (116 is last): Date: Thu, 26 Oct 2000 01:14:09 -0700 From: solothurn@EARTHLINK.NET (Number Six) Subject: more from the great white north To: AZRKBA@asu.edu
<color><param>0100,0100,0100</param>http://www.thestar.com/thestar/editorial/news/20001025NEW02_NA- GUN25.html
<FontFamily><param>Times New Roman</param><bigger><bigger>Tories introduce tough toy gun bill <smaller>
Legislation restricts sales to those over 18, bans starter pistols
<center>By Richard Brennan Toronto Star Queen's Park Bureau</center>
Legislation barring children and young teens from buying authentic- looking toy guns has been introduced at Queen's Park.
``These proposals are necessary because during an emergency situation police cannot distinguish between an imitation gun and the real thing,'' said Solicitor-General Dave Tsubouchi yesterday.
The bill would also ban the sale of some starters' pistols.
The Ontario government says it's the first in Canada to introduce such legislation.
Police have been complaining for years that authentic-looking toys or air pistols are being used in crimes and that converted starter pistols are as deadly as the real thing.
``Imitation guns are a dangerous product . . . they are a risk to the public and to the police . . . more than 40 per cent of the `guns' seized by police are imitations,'' Tsubouchi said.
He made a distinction between replica guns and toys that look real. Replica guns can't be fired and are already prohibited by the Criminal Code.
The proposed legislation requires a person be 18 to buy an air pistol or a toy gun and bans outright the sale of starter's pistols that can be converted to the real thing.
There is currently no age restriction on buying an air gun, but a person must be 18 to buy the pellets or BBs.
The age restriction would also apply to de-activated guns - those that have had the firing mechanism removed.
Vendors would be required to check photo identification for proof of age. Failure to do so could result in a fine of up to $50,000.
``An investigation by the (provincial weapons enforcement) unit early last year revealed many instances of people buying the starter's pistols and converting them to fire live rounds,'' Tsubouchi said at a news conference.
The same unit reported that as many as 700 imitation guns will be seized in Toronto this year, up from 600 last year, he said.
The government's proposed legislation is based closely on a private member's bill introduced by Liberal critic MPP Michael Bryant (St. Paul's) earlier this year.
``It's dangerous and it's dumb that you should be able to buy these guns without any questions asked,'' Bryant said yesterday. ``Now we will have a law which means that in fact questions will be asked. The bad guys won't getting these guns and that's a good thing.''
Toronto Deputy Police Chief Joe Hunter welcomed the restriction on toy sales and particularly the ban on some starter's pistols.
``The ones that concern us the most are the ones that could be activated into being a firearm because they can cause death or harm to either member of the public or police. But certainly any imitation firearm or replica is of concern to us,'' Hunter said.
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<bold><FontFamily><param>arial</param><smaller>`If you are going to address the problem . . . then let's ban toy guns'</bold><FontFamily><param>Times New Roman</param><bigger>
<flushright><smaller>- NDP MPP Peter Kormos <bigger></flushright>
<flushright> <flushright> <center> In 1999, Toronto police seized 85 starter pistols, 26 of which had been converted to fire live rounds. </center>
NDP critic MPP Peter Kormos said the sale of the real-looking toy guns should be banned outright.
Tsubouchi said this may be an option if law enforcement officials find children under 18 are still getting their hands on them.
``If you are going to address the problem . . . then let's ban toy guns,'' Kormos said.
``There is no earthly reason why a responsible adult in my view would buy his or her child a toy gun to play with it. The (era) of playing with toy guns is long gone.''
Even though he expects to support the bill, Bryant said it defines the ``flip-flopping hypocrisy'' of the Harris government.
``The Tory Justice Minister (Jim Flaherty) initially opposed my phony gun bill and now they support it.''