PREVENTING GUN CRIME IN CANADA
Three points will be presented the first is the gun registry , second is the Rational Choice Theory (RCT), which claims that all action is fundamentally rational in character and that people calculate the likely costs and benefits of any action before deciding what to do (Scott, 2000) and third Situational Crime Prevention (SCP), which looks at crime sociologically.
Gun crime literally means the use of firearms to threaten, inflict harm, or to entrust felonious activities. It is the category of violence or crime that is committed with the use of firearms (Lott, 1998). There are gray areas in gun crime in a few instances, which include self-defense, accidental injuries or death that results from the misuse of a firearm, and attempted suicides. Gun crime in major cities in Canada, specifically Toronto, has dramatically increased in at an alarming rate, which cause concerns among citizens and law enforcement authorities (Lott, 1998). An increase in drug gang violence has caused young people to be the perpetrators prompted new legislations to be passed.
In l995, the Gun Registry was passed as Bill C-58 and it requires gun owners of long-guns, such as like rifles and shotguns, to register their firearms. Handguns were required to be registered since l934. Bill C-58 is the strictest gun-control legislation in Canadian history (Chiasson, 2009). The Firearms Act was also included in this bill, which monitored the gun registry. Originally, the gun registry was expected to cost 119 million, where as the registration fees were projected to generate the majority of the funds. However, in 2001 the costs reached approximately 527 million, as the incredible increase was attributed to the failure by the government to process the gun registry applications properly. In 2002, costs skyrocketed to 620 million. This upward trend continued over the years. A report from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Commissioner, William Elliot, in 2005, estimated the cost for operating the registry was just under 100 million. Elliot offered no reason for the discrepancy.
Was the expenses worth keeping this law in tact Did it need to be amended Prime Minister Stephen Harper proposed legislation to abolish the long-gun registry (Chiasson 2009). The controversy was in full swing with countless reports on its effect. Advocates for the registry claim it would increase gun related crimes the opposition to the registry claimed it was expensive and effecting only innocent farmers and hunters, not crime. The following few examples depict pros and cons of keeping the gun registry.
On September 13, 2006, a shooter named, Kimveer Gill, stormed into the Dawson College in Westmount Canada, armed with a semiautomatic rifle and a 12-gauge shotgun. He opened fire and killed his first victim, Anastasis DeSesa. Another18 years old student, Hayden Kedhim, was shot three times and has a bullet still in his head. Hayden started a campaign to keep the gun registry. The Dawson Coalition, a group of students and teachers who demanded tougher national gun laws, supported him for Gun Control legislation (Lohr, 2008).
Glenn Williams, an avid hunter, is in favor of stopping the gun registry. He is one of more than forty thousand people across Canada petitioning to abolish the registry. Williams claims the registry is a waste of money and only impacts farmers and hunters. At this time (November 2009) no new bill eliminating the long-gun registry has been passed.
Ontario Attorney General Chris Bentley, showed support for the gun registry in a compelling press release of December 4, 2009. Bentley stated that it is a public safety resource that our police use everyday in the important work they do (CTV. 2006). It provides police the life saving information about whether the person inside has a gun before they knock on a door. The Toronto Police have checked the registry over ten thousand times a day since it was implemented, and they have used it over seven million times. The registry lets police trace the origins of guns and when guns get into the wrong hands it helps, police identify if the guns are illegal. Mr. Bentley ends his statement with a simple, yet poignant remark that the registry only asks gun owners to register we register our pets, why not our guns (CTV. 2006).
To continue with the gun registry controversy, CTV News reported in 2006 that Statistics Canada claim crimes involving guns remained stable for four consecutive years. Firearms account for three percent of all victims of violence (CTV, 2006). The alarming statistics noted that gun-related offences increased thirty-two percent, and most of these offences were committed by youth aged twelve to seventeen since 2002. During this time, approximately 1287 young people were accused of a violent offense in which a gun was used (CTV, 2006), that would be three compared to two percent for adults.
Rational Choice Theory of Crime
The Rational Choice Theory (RCT) originated in the 18th century, inspired by the moral worth of the utilitarian philosophies of Locke and Hume (Morrison 1995). The core of this belief was the perception that human nature was predicated with the search for pleasure, while avoiding pain. The theory further explained that human actions were consequently organized around calculative strategies that are aimed at utility maximization. The essence of this presumption also claims that nature has placed humankind under the rule of sovereign powers pain and pleasure (Morrison, 1995).
Dr. William Glasser developed the Rational Choice Theory of Crime with many criminologists who believe rational choice theory is the most common reasons for criminal behavior. The RCT has its root in the classical school of criminology (Dechant, 2009). Classical criminology states, people have free will to choose criminal or conventional behaviorsand that crime can be controlled only by the fear of criminal sanctions (Dechant, 2009).
RCT posits three models of criminal behavior the rational person, predestined person, and victimized person. The rational person chooses to commit a crime, and deterrent to their behavior could be increasing the punishment. The predestined person feels they commit crimes because of their environment a deterrent to this behavior may be to change the biological, sociological, and psychological environment of the offender (Dechant, 2009). The victimizer feels crime is the result of them being the victim of an unequal society (Dechant, 2009).
RCT also acknowledges that the threat of punishment or the promise of a reward is equally motivating as the punishment or reward itself. For example, the threat of punishment may prompt positive behavior and the enticement of a reward my push people to exceptional work (Schott, 2000). How can RCT be utilized to prevent an increase in crime If behavior is key, then monitoring and modifying behavior is one solution. The initial place to start is in schools. Annual polls about school curriculum, teachers, and students consistently rate the lack of discipline at the top of the list of problems (Allen. 1996). Discipline issues and challenges to cope with misconduct are basic realities of humanity.
It is clear that gun control measures cannot solve these problems alone. The real issue is what causes individuals to commit certain behaviors. This is why it is imperative to fully understand fully the importance of the Rational Choice Theory of crime and its cognitive field. In criminology, the rational choice theory has adopted that the idea of the moral worth of an action is determined by its use in providing happiness. Human sociology is a reasoning that compares means and ends, and cost and benefits of their actions to make a rational decision.
According to a number of criminal justice policy makers, the migration of Rational Choice Theory into criminology has been considered a major success. The RCT, in its cognitive field of study, has generated productive results on crime prevention strategies and practices. Supporters acknowledge their overwhelming success on violent crime prevention.
Crime prevention assumes a wide variety of activities concerning the broad range of criminal behaviors (Sutherland, 1947). Gun crime prevention in Canada has been initiated by a
diverse group of entities ranging from law enforcement authorities, private and public groups, and organizations and individuals. Traditionally, gun crime prevention in Canada was regarded as a domain primarily for law enforcement, however, with an increase in crime, especially in Canadas major cities, public and private entities have joined the bandwagon to combat gun-related crimes. One way the private sector has focused on is a strong emphasis on community based crime prevention programs.
The RCT is not a paramount contribution to gun crimes prevention strategy. What it
does contribute to law enforcement is a framework for profiling perpetrators. The theory may help with the three Ds of (Deter, Detect, and Delay) (OConnor. 2007). It fails in the promise to determine the here, when, and under what conditions crime is likely to occur (OConnor.2007).
Cognitive therapy is key in all aspects of life situations, and criminology is no exception. The more law enforcement knows about gun related crimes, the more productive they can be in
controlling Canadas crime rate.
Situational gun crime prevention in Canada
Situational Crime Preventions (SCP) basic concept is that there are crime-amenable sites and situations (Brantingham, 2005). What draws these people, especially youths towards these areas What determines crime areas SCP is a framework used to answer these questions, and provide solutions. Three categories are looked at primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention (Brantingham, 2005). Primary observes factors that have negative long-term implications secondary concentrates on individuals, places, and situations at high risk of becoming involved in criminal events (Brantingham, 2005) and tertiary concentrates on existing crime patterns. For all three areas, basic factors are reviewed such as sociological influences, economic stressors, psychiatric conditions, and physical design of cities (Brantingham, 2005). .
Situational Crime Prevention (SCP) can range from common sense safety precautions to comprehensive community planning in order to reduce these criminal actions (Crocker, 2010).
Emphasis is on the characteristics of criminals and potential criminals more than the offence. The situational crime prevention strategy is of dire importance especially in the major cities in Canada where gun crime has been on the rise. Cities such as Vancouver at 45.3 increase, Winnipeg at 43.9, and Toronto at 40.4.
It is imperative to acknowledge the convergence between the rational choice theory of the offending behaviors, and a variety of related fields of theoretical and practical criminology realms (Trasler, 1986). Crime opportunity utilizing SCP strategies and techniques has progressed in the past decade especially in the form of routine activities theory and rational choice theory (uncjinorg.1999. P18). One important insight is the interaction of so-called root cause of crime (such as social deprivation, discrimination and inadequate parenting) (uncjin.org.1999 p.18). Situational Crime Prevention (SCP) also involves the use of measures directed at specific forms of crime, for instance the prevention of gun crime in Canada. The SCP involves the management, design, and exploitation of the immediate environment where these crimes occur to reduce opportunities.
The aspect of a wider concept in which gun crime and violence occurs lies in the discussion of the Rational Choice Theory and Situational Crime Prevention. This accompanies the culture, and resources of gun crime management. Techniques of governance of gun prevalent crimes across the spectrum of social life are on the rise They have been found to frequently incorporate the principle of rational calculation and interest maximization of criminal behavior among individuals in society. The result of this discussion is not about the differences in both social and psychological behavior of human is contradictions, alternative moralities, and subject moralities are ignored, and a single, unquestionable rationality that sets itself up as the enemy of all forms of irrationality and criminal behavior is adopted as the standard of the conduct. (Lott, 1998).
However, the denial of irrationality is evident within the United Kingdom, United States, and Canadian criminal justice systems. Each feature a spectrum of crime surveys for institutional and probationary cognitive behavior programs. Most of these programs are considered part of the social development created to help in gun related crime prevention, especially in Canada. It is also important to consider how attempts to include normal moral responsibilities, within the gun crime offender population, to further demoralize the offenders of gun crime and violence (Crocker, 2010).
Canadian local authorities, businesses, and the public have been encouraged to use practice deterrence in order to ensure that buildings, public spaces, and people do not provide soft targets for gun related crimes (Stenson, 2001). Great care is placed on a physical security, like CCTV, in public and private places to combat and prevent gun crimes in Canada. In addition to a lower rate of firearms ownership, which decreases gun related crimes and gun related suicides.
Rational Choice theorists believe that there are only a small number of determined, predisposed personalities who are willing to commit crimes, especially gun crimes and violence with sufficient opportunities. Contemporary Situational Crime Prevention theorists have proceeded from this standpoint to a conclusion that we are all criminal. This irrational conclusion is considered to inculcate a high managerial approach for preventive measures in reference to crime prevention. It has been considered that the criminal situation is also the norm rather than the exception, and it is an inextricable part of daily life (Trasler, 1986).
It is evident that in Canada, as long as crime prevention theorists continue to utilize both the Rational Choice Theory and the Situational Crime Prevention strategies without concern for the subjective experiences of the criminals. The usefulness to control the growing number of a myriad of crimes will inevitably be limited. On the other hand, the slow response of the SCP practitioners to the changing nature of street gun crimes will inhibit the reduction of gun crimes. Researchers have proved SCP cannot be considered a quick response to crime prevention. It is rather a long-term solution (Lott, 1998).
While the conservatives in Canada have traditionally worked from the law and order perspective, in 2006, both the liberals and the New Democratic Party advocated getting tough on guns and gun related crimes (Crocker, 2010). It is clear that there are ranges of goals in these policies, including the reduction of illegal gun circulation, gun crimes and drug gang violence. Other strategies include control on guns and ammunition, enforcement of the existing laws, and the need for new and effective legislature. An effective implementation of border controls around Canada to prevent the importation of illegal guns is critical As a result of an increase in gun crimes in Canada, it is imperative to amend the criminal codes to let provinces and territories to ban handguns. Canada has focused on an amnesty program and a buy-back program to collect the existing illegal guns within the cities.
Taking into account the Situational Crime Prevention strategies, the Canadian government may establish a Gun Stopper Program, which provides a reward for any information leading to the removal of existing illegal firearms from the streets. Gun crime prevention in Canada has gone a step further with the re-introduction of viable legislation to prevent gun related crimes (Lott, 1998). The legislation mentioned would be to double the mandatory minimum sentences for key gun crimes that includes, trafficking and smuggling of firearms, and the illegal possession of loaded firearms in public places. This legislation was introduced in 2006 during the Canadian federal elections (Morrison, 1995).
As part of gun crime prevention, the Canadian government funded diversionary and skill development programs that would support the reduction in gun violence and gang activities. The rural community safety funds have been allocated to the diversionary programs for the purpose of crime prevention initiatives in smaller communities. Additional policing measures have also been put in place to create an advanced community safety. Increasing the number of graduating officers in order to increase intelligence and surveillance to prevent the flow of illegal firearms into Canada.
Parliament has considered enacting a mandatory minimum prison sentences for the individuals in possession of loaded illegal or prohibited weapons like handguns (Lott, 1998). Juveniles in possession and those convicted of gun crimes are treated as adults and face the same sentences. The Canadian government has tightened the security at the border and elevated the crack down on firearm smuggling into the country (Crocker, 2010). Ending gun registry is still a controversial subject waiting for a judgment. Canadas crime rate involving guns has decreased since the registrys onset. Even Canadian medical examiners believe the registry is an asset in identifying gun-related crimes. With these positive aspects, I believe the gun registry should remain in tact.
The Canadian government turned info implementing the, the Crime Prevention through Environmental Design, has used an internationally recognized approach. The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation in conjunction with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police have included the Crime Prevention through Environmental Design for future projects. Communities are safer through proper use of design, lighting, alarms and landscaping to maximize home security because Canada has other projects, which uses situational approaches to avert criminal activities, such as police led neighborhood watch, which is more successful in reducing victimization than the fundamental neighborhood watch. (Lapierre, 1995).
Canadian government has put in place measures for the social development of the youth (Crocker, 2010). Research found that youth with bad childhood experiences are considered to be at risk for behavioral problems. Most of them have been found to be in trouble repeatedly with the law, and in need of effective social intervention. The social development programs formed by the government provide a number of hours a week for social activities among the youth considered to be at risk These programs have been successful in many countries, and just as effective in Canada. Behavioral development was found to reduce juvenile arrests, and school expulsion.
Social workers in Canada are encouraged to provide programs with there home visits in order to assist mothers and children considered at risk. As part of the Situational Crime Prevention strategies, the government should also provide incentives for the youth to complete higher education. Facts show the more educated a child is the better opportunity they have to reduce their risk of criminal activities. Universities and colleges in Canada should also be involved in the social development of their younger counterparts by being role models in society.
It is also important for the Canadian government to include the issue of armed domestic violence in both education and public awareness programs. This could be done by implementing national campaigns against gun crimes in order to help people understand and enforce their legal rights. This will enable law enforcement authority to reduce a number of crimes including gun crime and violence. Once there is control in the higher risk areas, the police presence can be reduced and funds used for social development programs. In addition, increasing prison sentences on gun related crimes would enable the police and the entire society to reduce this offending behavior among criminals (McNicoll, Finnamore, 2005). Time for effective programs of social development with the aim of reducing gun crimes and violence is paramount.
Traditionally, the police service focus only on citywide patrols, responding to emergencies, investigation, and arrests while the courts focus on judgment and sentencing (Trasler, 1986). The correctional facilities, on the other hand, have been focusing in overseeing the offenders during their sentences. This is a clear indication that if these facilities can focus on rehabilitating offenders, future crimes will be eliminated. Participating in social development programs would be beneficial.
Gun crime and violence prevention in Canada Because of the increase in gun crimes in the country, it is important to enlighten the public on how to avoid and prevent these crimes. This is because a number of individual have underscored the implications of these measures which include tightening of firearm legislation. Security personnel and even private citizens should be encouraged to adopt strategies that are aimed at hardening targets of the gun crime offenders (Lapierre, 1995). It is also important for the government to set up programs that are aimed at dealing with social conditions such as family counseling and anti-poverty programs.
More over, because of the overwhelming increase in gun-related crimes, parents and teachers should be enlightened on child development in order to enable them to identify the psychological behavior of children. Most scholars claim that poor child upbringing may lead to offending and criminal behaviors in their adult life. A number of typologies should be presented in the criminological literature to deal with the maze of crime and gun violent preventive programs or intervention.
A number of preventive approaches include punitive preventive or deterrence, corrective preventive or the elimination of the social conditions among individuals. Mechanical prevention such as setting up measures to reduce criminal opportunities through target hardening, architectural planning and increasing the surveillance level within the community. If all these issues were put in place, gun prevention in Canada would be a success.
It is also important for the Canadian government to be able to know what works well in gun crime prevention to enable law enforcers to improve the security of the individuals and neighborhoods that are vulnerable to gun crimes and violence. It is dexterous to have tremendous support from both the public and private sector to engage in social development. It is a fact that incarceration of criminals costs the taxpayer more to achieve a ten percent reduction in crime than it does with crime prevention through social developments.
Conclusion
It is undeniably clear that Canadians are focusing on violent crimes, especially gun related ones. Incentives for individuals to report illegal guns let the government step in and take guns from the criminals. The problem is that the law-abiding citizens obey the law and criminals do not, therefore sensitizing the criminal to return in licensed guns will not help reduce the gun crime in Canada but rather the cumulative responsibility of both the private and the public sector to deal with the issues of gun violence and crime.
Increasing emphasis on Situational Crime Prevention programs and taking into consideration the theories of Rational Choice Theory assist in decreasing crime rate. Rational Choice Theory and Situational Crime Prevention have been considered ineffective tools in gun crime prevention. The regulations concerning firearms, like the gun registry is also a very ineffective tool to gun crime prevention. While in many cases the Situational Crime Prevention programs have been very successful in reducing certain forms of minor crime, like shoplifting and burglary, it has also helped in preventing the violent gun crimes, that from this point they graduate from novice offenses.
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