Bylaw could mean end of local shooting ranges in Toronto (http://insidetoronto.ca/News/Scarborough/article/48732)

“I think it’s absolutely ridiculous, the fact that he is blaming the most law-abiding segment of Canadian society for the violence on the streets of Toronto – absolutely ridiculous,” said Larry Whitmore, executive director of the Canadian Shooting Sports Association which oversees the Scarborough club, of Mayor David Miller.

“…If approved by council, Toronto’s chief planner would prepare a zoning bylaw to restrict uses in all zones that would make it illegal to discharge guns anywhere but in establishments operated by the police service or the military.

“…As well, the plan recommends there be a policy prohibiting shooting ranges, gun clubs and the promotion of firearm use in city facilities.”

Canadian Olympic pistol shooter Avianna Chao (http://olympics.thestar.com/2008/athletes/428253) and others will be forced to go elsewhere for practice. She refers to the principle of personal responsibility for our actions: “We’re talking about responsibility and whether you’re a responsible person or not. Because all of these other things – cars, alcohol, kitchen knives – can do harm. It’s about responsibility.”

It much be such an alien concept to our political masters and the control freaks who dominate acceptable opinion: Holding people responsible for their actions and not punishing those who are living productive lives when they train for sports or self-defence.

I wonder if Chao’s views reflect majority opinion. I’m hopeful that it’s only a fascist minority that actually disagrees. I bet that a large number would actually agree with her if they had a chance to think.

Almost nobody owns handguns anyway because of current restrictions, so those directly affected by this are a small number of easy targets – a minority – but their victimization by this bylaw will represent the destruction of everyone’s rights and a victory for the slow and gradual approach to the destruction of gun rights by Canadian political elites. And yes, it’s happening under a Conservative federal government – of course.

The whole idea is to pick on law-abiding citizens – these are the easy targets and the ones who actually pay taxes and are inclined to follow the law. So those who respect the rights of others are those targeted by government. Easier to chase after the peaceful prey then hunt down fellow predators. That’s the way the system works.

The ability to train and fire weapons will be left in the hands of the police and military who stand by to search homes, vehicles and bank accounts whenever there is a good excuse – those who are supposed to serve the public but whose basic function is to carry out the will of the State – so similar to the street gangs they are supposedly concerned about.

I mean, that must be the actual reason for these bans on the legal use of firearms. They can’t stand the idea that every Canadian should have the same rights as State entities and that political institutions should not have unlimited rights to tax and oppress. Canadians should have the same rights as police and military and have the ability to resist crime or police state invasions if that ever comes about as it has in many countries.

In any case, we should have the legal right as individuals to decline paying taxes for “services” that we disagree with – and the right to directly challenge all oppressive regulations and injustices that we have to deal with – but for some reason we don’t have much of that. Have you noticed?

 But we have a lot of land management laws and “smart growth” central planning and other invasions of property rights attached to various excuses – the war on drugs, anti-smoking, environmentalism, drinking and driving – all sorts of excuses and fake causes that expose individuals to possible and inevitable State abuse and predation.

Notice what kind of disgusting criminal attitudes are actually behind this: it says they are also planning to suppress free speech – the “promotion of firearm use” in city facilities – facilities paid for by our tax dollars. How far does that go?

Does that mean that library books and magazines on firearms and gun rights in city libraries will have to be eliminated? And teachers and students will not be allowed to debate firearm use in city schools? Does it mean suppression of dissent in public streets and squares? Banning of certain websites on city computers? Will this ban be another possible excuse for a total crackdown on dissenting political expression in Canada? Think of all the novel complexities that come about in attempting to impose bans on freedom of expression in Canada. Think about how BLOODY SHAMEFUL AND EMBARRASSING AND DIFFICULT THAT WOULD BE FOR THE BUREAUCRATS attempting to impose more speech bans on Canadians. But oh no, they’re not ashamed to dream it up and brag about it anyway – because they know you’re not paying attention.

Remaining liberties in Canada are being destroyed at all levels, but especially it appears at the local level.

Total violation of charter rights and the principle of freedom of expression will now proceed. We need to oppose these types of municipal bylaws while there is still time.

This proposal to destroy more liberties – by fooling people into believing they will be safer from armed criminals – is scheduled to be discussed by the Toronto executive committee on Tuesday June 3 and there will be a public meeting on September 10. By then it will be too late and the bylaw will be ready for approval.

 So are you a believer in personal responsibility or just another bully who supports the destruction of our freedoms?   Take a side – by all means.

–Alan Mercer

May 31st, 2008