CALGARY—A Calgary city councillor who has been outspoken about gun violence in the past says he might bring forward a motion to ban handguns in the city.

His announcement at a news conference Thursday follows an announcement from the federal Liberals in September, who said they would implement a ban on assault rifles across the country as well as bolster background checks and allow municipalities to ban handguns.

“We have failed at all levels of government,” Coun. George Chahal told reporters, as he called for more measures to prevent youth violence as the issue seems to be getting worse.

From January until the end of August this year, there were 63 shootings in Calgary, 40 of them confirmed as targeted acts. But Chahal said the northeast quadrant is most plagued by community violence — with 25 shootings in that period, representing nearly 40 per cent of the total shootings.

The Ward 5 councillor also held a town hall in July where he addressed violence in Calgary’s northeast.

Chahal said the policies he hopes to put in place would include measures to prevent violence early.

“We need to be proactive and not reactive to ensure the next generation of teenagers in junior high schools and high schools understand the disruptive nature of drugs, crime and violence,” he said.

He said violence stems from a “lack of economic and social opportunities” as well as a lack of early intervention.

The intervention efforts would involve multiple agencies including the Alberta Solicitor General and Justice Minister, the Calgary Board of Education and the Calgary Police Service along with residents.

“The issue of crime, violence and handguns is complex and interconnected with broader societal issues,” Chahal said.

Chahal said he acknowledges responsible gun owners “bear unnecessary scrutiny,” and added he thinks gun control policies should also focus on cracking down on illicit gun sales and cross-border smuggling.

His motion, still being drafted, would be contingent on changes at the federal level and thus wouldn’t be brought forward until after the Oct. 21 federal election.

Chahal made the announcement alongside Kent Hehr, the Liberal candidate in the Calgary Centre riding, and Josh Ng-Kamstra, a doctor representing Canadian Doctors for Protection From Guns.

It’s a personal issue for Hehr who, 28 years ago to the day, was shot and became quadriplegic.

“I think Councillor Chahal’s motion, that he’s considering putting forward will look at all avenues to try and save lives here in the city,” Hehr said.

“There is no doubt that handgun violence — not only in this city, but across this country — is on the rise.”

He added he thinks there is a gun problem in the United States and at the federal level, Canada needs to use “every tool in the tool box” to keep people safe. That includes allowing municipalities to ban handguns, Hehr said.

Ng-Kamstra said and his peers in the Canadian Doctors group are advocating for gun control at the municipal level.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

He added that in the last 10 years, there has been an increase in the number of Canadians who have died or whose lives permanently changed due to handgun violence.

“I would love to be able to tell you that in the last 28 years we’ve made progress and protecting Canadians from injuries and death due to handguns and other firearms,” Ng-Kamstra said.

“But sadly, that’s not true.”

Read more about: