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“This is a very convincing majority,” sai MacKay. “You’ll notice that the word urgent is in there so people really had to come out so it raised the bar pretty high on that question.”

Support for the government acting to ban handguns is high throughout Winnipeg, with especially high numbers recorded in southeast Winnipeg (81%). Opposition is highest in northeast Winnipeg (34%); however, even two-thirds of those living in this area agree urgent action should be taken to ban handguns.

There is a significant gender gap on this issue, as women are far more likely than men to agree that the government should take steps to prevent people from having handguns (83% vs. 66% respectively). Similarly, adults aged 55 and over attach greater urgency to banning handguns (81% vs. 67% among those 18-

34).

At campaign events Monday, both Mayor Brian Bowman and mayoral candidate Jenny Motkaluk weighed in on the poll.

“I think anything that can be done to remove handguns from our streets is positive and, obviously, I would fully support that,” said Bowman.

“I know that the federal government is reviewing a potential handgun ban and I fully support that review.”

The federal government is looking at a possible ban on handguns and assault weapons in the wake of a number of recent fatal incidents, including a mass shooting in Toronto in July that killed two and injured 13 others. Border Security Minister Bill Blair announced a public consultation Thursday.

“We need to be asking the question: How can we reduce the violence on our streets?,” said Motkaluk. “And, today, I’m not sure how often handguns are involved in any of our violent incidents … I know that we need to do everything we can (to reduce violence). So I would be very happy to consider that as an option and I look forward to learning a lot more about all the details in it.”

gdawkins@postmedia.com

Twitter: @SunGlenDawkins