Presented by Barbara Byers on Tuesday, 4 May 2010

You may wonder why the Canadian Labour Congress supports the gun registry and opposes Bill C-391.

Like Canada itself, our members are diverse – women, men, urban, rural – and have a diversity of interests and passions.

We have longstanding policy relating to gun control.  And that policy comes from our members – passed by delegates at our conventions – who desired balance.

Many of our members face violence in the workplace.

Because rifles and shotguns are the firearms that are most readily available in the home, they also figure prominently in workplace violence involving guns.

The risk factors for suicide and violence are closely linked – access to a firearm coupled with a personal crisis or job loss is a lethal combination.

We need to ensure police, who are the first responders to these types of situations know as much about the situation as possible – including what kind of gun is involved.

And that is what the gun registry does.

Unions are also committed, in our policies and in our actions, to reducing violence against women.

Again, a gun in the home figures prominently in the dangers posed to women in domestic violence situations.

Spousal homicides by rifles and long guns have dramatically dropped since the registry was created.

By rates far greater than spousal homicide by other methods.

Is the registry responsible for the greater decline?

We believe it has helped.

It has made gun owners more aware of the lethal weapons in their possession.

It has made them more accountable.

It has made them be more responsible for making sure their weapons are stored properly.

It has made the homes of 26% of Canadians who live in homes where guns are present just that little bit safer.

Thank you.