PUBLICATION:
Toronto Star
DATE:
2004.03.15
SECTION: EDITORIAL
PAGE:
A22
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Judging
gun offences
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Are
some Ontario judges too easy on people charged with gun crimes? Perhaps.
Toronto police Chief Julian Fantino has
complained about an "in-and-out" revolving door legal system that too
easily grants criminals bail, and freedom. Citing statistics collected by his
officers, Fantino estimates 84 per cent of people arrested for gun-related
offences in Toronto are career criminals. That suggests judges should think long
and hard before granting bail. Moreover,
a series of police "house call" checks on those charged with gun
crimes and granted bail found almost half were violating their bail conditions.
Given
these findings, Premier Dalton McGuinty's government is justified in reminding
judges about the seriousness of gun crime in Toronto. In an effort to encourage
tough sentences and tighter bail terms, the province plans to give judges
special affidavits- detailing society's gun problem- when someone accused of
using a firearm to commit a crime comes before the courts. "This will be
used as a tool to ... have the court consider how serious this problem is,"
says Ontario Attorney-General Michael Bryant. The affidavits will contain
statistics and other evidence provided by Crown attorneys and police.
Canada's
Criminal Code already rightly carries a minimum penalty of four years for
carrying a gun while committing a serious crime. That's to be served in addition
to any jail time levelled for the initial offence. But there's no harm- and
potential good- in alerting judges to a growing social problem. Tougher bail
requirements and sentences may make some offenders think twice before picking up
a gun and blasting away. And those convicted can expect to be off the streets
for a longer time.
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BREITKREUZ'S PLAN TO KEEP GUNS OUT OF THE HANDS OF PEOPLE WHO SHOULDN'T HAVE THEM
http://www.cssa-cila.org/garryb/breitkreuzgpress/guns114.htm