[Ben_in_Canada]

Great post, here's my Canadian perspective.

Originally Posted by New Era

Interesting discussion. Too bad it got derailed. Maybe these questions will get it back on track. Why do you own guns? What do you use them for? How would you enact reasonable gun control? I think this is the framework for an honest discussion and can quickly push the trolls out of the thread.

Why do you own guns?

I own guns because I have always been fascinated by them. The engineering involved for them to function is amazing, especially when you consider the longevity of some firearms (1911, AK47, AR15 these aren't modern). The skill needed to put your bullet where you want it at different distances is a challenge I really enjoy.

Personal protection is not a lawful reason in Canada. When purchasing restricted firearms you have to declare the purpose, target shooting or collecting.

What do you use them for?
I hunt and 'sports shoot'
I've kept my freezer full of meat the last few years hunting which has brought me a new level of respect for the pioneers of this land.
I regularly compete in Steel Challenge (pistols), Skeet (shotgun) & 3gun (a course of fire consisting of different size/shape targets at distances from 1m to 300m using and transitioning rifle, shotgun and handgun. Keanu Reeves did a lot of 3gun training for the John Wick movies.

How would you enact reasonable gun control?

Gun control in Canada is IMO very good as it stands.
To purchase a gun/ammunition you need a PAL (purchase and acquisition license). To get a PAL you need to pass a Canadian firearms safety test, have personal referees, sign off from current spouse or ex within 2 years and pass criminal background check. For restricted licence there is another test plus you are also subjected to daily criminal background checks.
Storage and transportation is also regulated with restricted firearms needing to be trigger locked or otherwise disabled and kept in a locked container.
What is restricted? All handguns and a number of semiautomatic rifles (not all semis though and this is where it gets confusing. The recent firearms prohibition banned a lot of rifles on name or appearance, not actual characteristics or proven use in crimes in Canada).

Noted was capacity restrictions. In Canada centrefire semiautomatic rifles are restricted to 5 rounds and pistols 10 rounds. (This is why a lot of the language used in the OIC was so inflammatory, the suggestion that the rifles banned had large ammunition capacity when every rifle in Canada is restricted to 5 is just one of those points).