Newspaper Summary and Reference Assignment  on the Gun Control Issues in Canada

The large discussion about gun violence and gun legislation have been a highly debated topic. However, in recent times Canadians have grown concern over the prevalence it has in our larger cities. Gun violence is an issue within Canada because there are ineffective policies to reduce gun violence and there aren’t enough federal funds to support social services. The development of policies surrounding gun violence is important to structural social work since it can remove barriers and increase supports. In addition, policy changes would allow social workers to give their clients improved services on a macro, mezzo, and micro-level.

CBC’s most recent news articles address the most current homicide due to gun violence and the Federal leader’s views on the topic. It starts by telling the story of the 17-year-old victim from Mississauga Ontario. Jonathon Davis was shot and killed outside his apartment building on September 14th, 2019. Johnathon was pronounced dead at the scene and four other victims were sent to the hospital. The Peel Region police chief, Chris McCord, identified that Johnathon was an innocent victim who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. No suspects or weapons have been found, however, police believe the shooting may have involved seven perpetrators who were filming a rap music video. All federal party leaders have sent their condolences to the victims, their families and the community.

Despite this, there were no new ideas on how to address the apprise of gun violence in Canada. Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is ready to consider the increase of services and funding to combat gun violence. Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer and the NDP's Leader Jagmeet Singh agreed that gun violence needs to be addressed, yet had different opinions on how to resolve the issue. Sheer believes the root of the problem stems from gangs and the need for harsher laws. In addition, he would like to see harder sentences for reoffending gang members, harder bail and improved co-operation with police. Singh suggested a different approach that would allow municipalities to ban handguns, as well as making sure the right services are in place to end the cycle of gun violence. These services may include affordable housing, proper healthcare, and work opportunities. Despite three different political views, it is clear that change is needed within our social services, policies, and legislation.

In the academic journal article, Journal of Evidence-Informed Social Work, it discusses a ground up model for gun violence reduction. This model included a community-based approach, which allows member that are effected to have an active role. The article suggests that the reduction of gun violence does not come from harsher laws and police co-operation, as this is only a temporary fix. It indicates that stricter laws do the opposite of what its intended too by inviting people to engage in gun activities.

To prevent violence we must avoid the factors that involve people initially. Community interventions can address these factors, and build on the strengths among youth, families, and the community. Intervention systems can focus on prevention, rehabilitation, and development. Current laws and strategies to lower gun violence only continue the cycle of violence. Instead, we must put in place quality social welfare interventions that help clients avoid factors that consistently associate them with gun violence.

The Journal of Interpersonal Violence discusses Canadian firearm legislation and its effects on homicide from 1974 to 2008. There is three legislation that provides a legal intervention with homicide rates and gun violence. It includes Bill C-51, Bill C-17, and Bill C-68. Bill C-51 was the first bill that was implemented and requires criminal background checks and certification when buying a firearm. The bill was passed as a result of a peek in gun-related homicide and gun violence in Canada. After passing the new legislation, a perceptible decline in fire-arm homicide as a result of the implication. Bill C-17 was administered in 1991 to help strengthen the laws surrounding handgun purchasing. It required two reference checks, spousal endorsements, photo ID, training, testing’s, safe storage laws, transportation laws and a mandatory waiting period before obtaining the firearm. Bill C-68 was introduced in 1995, providing a new licensing system to replace the FAC system.

There were now two types of licenses, that required to possess, acquire firearms, and to buy ammunition. By 2003, this was mandatory for both rifles and shotguns. Before 1974 crime involving guns was at an all-time high. After legislations were put in place there were noticeable differences. However between 1974 – 2008 finding that association firearms legislation and homicide are weak since the data was insufficient. However, one could conclude that the correlation between firearms legislation and homicide rates is important because of the improvement from before 1977 to now.

In closing, the issue of gun violence and its need for new policy development is important to structural social work because it further assists social workers to help their clients. Improved gun legislation and funded community-based interventions can provide social workers with the tools for social change. If social workers have a failing system and policies, how are they expected to help their clients? In many cases, social workers are blamed when victims of gun violence are not receiving the proper supports needed, yet the funding, supports, and gun legislation are not in place. Societal problems like gun violence exist because of the control of resources and political power built-in a capitalistic society.

Constantly changeling the system affects progress with struggling clients. Structural social work strives for social justice and transformation, yet is difficult to practice because of restrictive policies. Therefore, without any further gun violence policy development structural social work is powerless.