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With a year to go before a federal election, Canada has suddenly plunged into a full-on gun-control debate that could emerge as a key election issue.

But, before that happens, the struggle over gun control is already stirring up the fall municipal election in Surrey, where rival council candidates are debating a proposed handgun ban.

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“We have a gang problem in Surrey that’s devastating families,” said Councillor Tom Gill, who is running for mayor.

“We owe it to those families to make changes. A handgun ban is part of that. This is an opportunity to take away the tools of the trade.”

But the issue has divided the ruling Surrey First party. And now national advocates on both sides of the gun-control debate are weighing in as the issue heats up across the country.

The debate erupted after the July 22 shooting rampage on Toronto’s Danforth Avenue, where Faisal Hussain killed two people and wounded 13 using a semi-automatic pistol.