No guns thanks, we're Canadian!

By 

John A. Gayder

This article was published during 1999-2000 in Canadian editions of Safari Times under a column called 
"Jag: thoughts from behind the badge".

Nowhere do Canadians show their determination to prove themselves different from our neighbours to the south than in the area of firearms policy. The belief that Canadians don’t use or even want guns for self-defense as much as “those Americans” has become an almost unassailable piece of Canadiana.  This notion of Canadian pacifism is at best a gross oversimplification, and at worst a cleverly crafted falsehood designed to steer public opinion.

We are continually led to believe American society is awash in gun violence.  However, if the figures from just a few inner city jurisdictions are discounted, the rates of gun violence are lower in America than Canada.  The as yet unimpeached study conducted by University of Chicago Professors John Lott and David Mustard found that in jurisdictions where trustworthy citizens are allowed to carry guns – violent crime rates go down dramatically.

In response to a tragic and well publicized shooting in America, a recent column in my local paper advised Americans to get over their “adolescent” fascination with guns and the “ease with which they use them to settle disputes”.  But Canadians use guns to settle disputes every day.  They just do it by proxy.

Being a police officer, I am often asked if I have ever had to use my pistol in the course of my duties.  People are stunned when I tell them I use it every day.   After they have picked their jaw off the floor, I explain to them how even when my gun is in its holster – it is still providing protection by acting as a deterrent to criminals.

A gun on the hip of your local police officer is a symbol of the supremacy of the forces of good.  Without guns, our society would be at the mercy of the brutes with biggest club. Although it may not be fashionable to admit it – a peaceful society requires guns every minute of every hour.

Hindering citizens from protecting themselves sets the stage for some interesting questions.  If Canadians truly abhor the thought of arming for self-protection, how can they morally transfer the obligation to others?   Is it because their own spiritual well being and safety are of value - but that of a police officer is worth only the salary they pay him? 

Firearms in the hands of the just positively radiate peace. Anytime somebody call the police to respond to a problem they are indirectly using a firearm to either conclude or deter escalation of the matters at hand.  Interpersonal skills, verbal judo and cultural sensitivity training are important and useful – but only up to a point.  Words alone can fail for a combination of reasons.  Ultimately, the only thing that can absolutely guarantee goodness and right will prevail is the proper application or threat of superior force. Firepower. Strength.

Arming police officers works.  Why should it be any different for all Canadian citizens of good temperment and character?  After all, from where do we recruit of our police officers?  The pessimistic people who swear, “only the police and military should have guns”, in addition to having a dismal view of their fellow man must think that cops and soldiers are raised in test tube colonies using the combined DNA of Mother Teresa, Hercule Poirot and Dick Tracy. 

Having been both soldier and cop I can assure you this is not true.  Police officers put their pants on one leg at a time, the same as everybody else. They tend to be public-spirited people who joined up because they wanted a job that’s not boring, provides good pay and full benefits.  As a whole, the profession has rates of personal and social dysfunction the same as the public from which it is recruited.

Biography of the author and disclaimer: (See attached Curriculum Vitae for additional info)

The author has been a Constable for eight years with the Niagara Parks Police in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The views expressed in this article may or may not represent the official position of his employer.

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