Quote:
Originally Posted by ah123
Not a gun owner, but I would argue that this law is more about optics than impact. Optics being the ability to say: “we are taking action on reducing crime”. Tackling root causes of crime (mental health, poverty related causes, broken homes, etc.) does not make for a nice slogan (and it takes a lot longer to see outcomes). Just my $0.02
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The most generous interpretation for me is that with this and banning dangerous-looking long guns they are trying to stamp out US-style gun culture before it takes hold. Like with smoking and cigarettes - make it uncool, don’t allow flashy packages, etc. Don’t let overblown self-protection notions take root. Take the glamour out of anyone’s blaze of glory fantasies.
I don’t think this is a reasonable concern given the restrictions we have, the general level-headedness of Canadians, and the lack of a motivating principle like the 2nd amendment, but perhaps they are looking down the road at the increasing polarization and radicalization of society and taking what they think are prudent measures.
I think this argument is more relevant to the long gun issue though, and more likely these are mainly symbolic acts.