Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tabled a law on Tuesday that, if passed, would allow municipalities to restrict handguns through statutes that govern their possession, storage and transportation.
Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart jumped on board and announced his plans to request a city-wide ban on handguns.
“I applaud the Prime Minister for taking action against offensive weapons and the arms dealers who endanger residents,” Stewart said in a press release. “But for cities like Vancouver, the greatest threat to public safety is the proliferation of handguns.”
A recent influx of gang-related shootings and police-recovered guns are reasons why Vancouver needs stricter gun control measures, according to Stewart.
“At the earliest possible time, I will table a motion instructing staff to prepare and vote on a statute banning handguns,” he added.
“Deadly weapons that have no place in cities, and this bill would give us new tools to get them off our streets.”
RELATED: Trudeau’s government would allow local authorities to ban handguns under new law
On Tuesday, Trudeau said Bill C-21 would increase criminal penalties for arms smuggling and trafficking, improve police and border guards’ ability to keep illegal firearms out of the country, and allow owners to sell now banned firearms to the government.
– with files from the Canadian press
sarah.grochowski@bpdigital.ca
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Would you like to support local journalism? Donate here.
Federal Gun BillGun Bangun ControlGun Violence
Get local stories you won’t find anywhere else straight to your inbox.
Login here
