4/13/2008

How gun registration works in solving crime in Canada

From the April 12th Globe and Mail:

Of the 108 handguns used in Canadian homicides in 2006, only six (5 per cent) were registered. Of the 129 handguns used in Canadian homicides in 2005, only four (3 per cent) were registered.


Even this though makes it seem that the gun registration laws are much more valuable than they actually are. Here is the real question: how many of these crimes were committed by guns that were registered to the criminal? My bet: zero.

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5 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Plus, did the fact that the gun was registered aid in a criminal investigation in any way?

4/13/2008 1:54 PM  
Blogger Federal Farmer said...

Do you think that the lawfully registered owners of those crime guns get them back?

Is there some positive return to those that register their firearms?

I've got several rifles registered with Chicago and I'm wondering what I'm paying for.

I know, silly question.

4/13/2008 2:07 PM  
Blogger John Lott said...

Thanks, Mad Saint Jack and Federal Farmer:

If the gun wasn't registered to the criminal and the registered owner didn't plan the attack with the criminal, it is hard to see how registration would help the investigation in any way.

4/13/2008 7:49 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Gents,
I know I'm preaching to the Archbishop and choir.

The Bannana Rep (UK) has had registration of handguns and rifles since 1921 and shotguns since 1968.

since '98 it has officially had next to no legally held handguns

(in detail, I'd guesstimate about a dozen or couple dozen legal handguns left with those handling dangerous animals at work etc, and you bet the cops keep a close watch on them!)

There is lots of coverage about how systems like Britains and it's progeny in places like Canada could be tightened, or made tougher, but the authorities are always careful to avoid the question:

Does it reduce crime?

But then, crime reduction was never the intended purpose.

Keith
(Bitter as hell that I lost my pistols in '97 - '98)

4/14/2008 6:45 AM  
Blogger Federal Farmer said...

But suppose this: My registered firearm is stolen and recovered in a crime and traced via my registration form.

Do I get the gun back?

4/15/2008 1:05 AM  

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