Something you might want to be aware of
Subject: Layton declares gun war
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/serv...y/LAC/20040604/ELECLAYTON04/TPNational/Canada
Layton declares gun war
By STEVEN CHASE
Friday, June 4, 2004 - Page A8
WINNIPEG -- NDP Leader Jack Layton is pitching voters on a Canadian-led
campaign
for tougher U.S. gun laws that includes bending the ears and twisting arms
of
American congressmen.
He says Ottawa should send envoys to Washington to fight for strict firearm
laws
in the United States because American weapons smuggled into Canada are a big
cause of gun violence in this country.
"We are proposing going across the border . . . and actively engaging in
lobbying to have gun-control laws in the United States strengthened," he
said
during a campaign stop in the Prairies yesterday.
He's especially concerned about preventing any relaxation of U.S. laws that
might result in more types of guns flowing north.
New Democrats also want assault and automatic weapon sales banned in Canada
and
a security curtain thrown up at ports and borders to stop an influx of
contraband U.S. firearms.
"We want a dramatic stepping-up of efforts to stop illegal guns coming
across
the border."
Overhauling the gun registry is not mentioned in the NDP's 63-page election
platform. But Mr. Layton was very clear on his intentions yesterday. "We've
said
it needs to be fixed," Mr. Layton said. "It's been botched terribly."
Liberal Leader Paul Martin's party has committed to rework the registry, and
the
Conservatives have pledged to scrap it.
NDP officials later clarified Mr. Layton's remarks, saying the party would
try
to fix the registry and replace it, or scrap it, if that was not possible.
Veteran NDP MP Lorne Nystrom of Regina opposes the registry as an
ineffective
waste of money. He said at least three other NDP MPs agree with him.
He said he believes the NDP has no consensus position on the matter and that
Mr.
Layton's comments likely reflect his own opinion.
Tracey Kleim
Canadian Director
Women Against Gun Control
"Women helped take away guns. Now women must help get them back."
Subject: Layton declares gun war
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/serv...y/LAC/20040604/ELECLAYTON04/TPNational/Canada
Layton declares gun war
By STEVEN CHASE
Friday, June 4, 2004 - Page A8
WINNIPEG -- NDP Leader Jack Layton is pitching voters on a Canadian-led
campaign
for tougher U.S. gun laws that includes bending the ears and twisting arms
of
American congressmen.
He says Ottawa should send envoys to Washington to fight for strict firearm
laws
in the United States because American weapons smuggled into Canada are a big
cause of gun violence in this country.
"We are proposing going across the border . . . and actively engaging in
lobbying to have gun-control laws in the United States strengthened," he
said
during a campaign stop in the Prairies yesterday.
He's especially concerned about preventing any relaxation of U.S. laws that
might result in more types of guns flowing north.
New Democrats also want assault and automatic weapon sales banned in Canada
and
a security curtain thrown up at ports and borders to stop an influx of
contraband U.S. firearms.
"We want a dramatic stepping-up of efforts to stop illegal guns coming
across
the border."
Overhauling the gun registry is not mentioned in the NDP's 63-page election
platform. But Mr. Layton was very clear on his intentions yesterday. "We've
said
it needs to be fixed," Mr. Layton said. "It's been botched terribly."
Liberal Leader Paul Martin's party has committed to rework the registry, and
the
Conservatives have pledged to scrap it.
NDP officials later clarified Mr. Layton's remarks, saying the party would
try
to fix the registry and replace it, or scrap it, if that was not possible.
Veteran NDP MP Lorne Nystrom of Regina opposes the registry as an
ineffective
waste of money. He said at least three other NDP MPs agree with him.
He said he believes the NDP has no consensus position on the matter and that
Mr.
Layton's comments likely reflect his own opinion.
Tracey Kleim
Canadian Director
Women Against Gun Control
"Women helped take away guns. Now women must help get them back."
