Edmonton Police Service Chief Dale McFee is warning MPs that the federal government’s proposed handgun transfer “freeze” legislation could actually increase crime in the short-term.
McFee testified on Oct. 20 at the House of Commons Public Safety Committee which is studying Bill C-21, proposed legislation to further restrict access to handguns in Canada.
“There’s things that we support and there’s some things that we have some serious concern with,” McFee said.
Bill C-21 would put a “freeze” on the sale, purchase, or transfer of handguns in Canada.
McFee said the belief is that a handgun freeze would reduce the number of handguns in circulation in the long run, but in the short-term those wanting to acquire guns will find alternatives, increasing incidences of smuggling, 3D printing, and conversion of airsoft guns….