Canadian Politics Today

So you're under the naive assumption that most people with mental health issues are diagnosed (if there's even anything to officially diagnose them with). Cute.

The evidence says that Canada's firearms licensing works.  Holders of firearms licenses are the most scrutinized people in Canada.  People with something to hide seldom volunteer themselves to this sort of scrutiny from the authorities.  People with firearms licenses commit less crime, and less homicide, than the general populace.

This RCMP report elaborates on the measures taken to make sure that people with firearms licenses aren't a threat to the public.
https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/2018-commissioner-firearms-report
One of the things they have is "continuous eligibility screening", which is to say that any number of minor events, or even a call to a snitch line, could cause the authorities to reevaluate whether you should have firearms.

Continuous eligibility screening of firearms licence holders

Under the continuous eligibility regime, at any point during an individual's licence validity period, an event could occur that could prompt a review of their eligibility to hold a firearms licence.

If a firearms licence holder is involved in an event which could affect their eligibility (as defined by section 5 of the Firearms Act), it is reported by law enforcement via the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database and sent to the relevant CFO for review. An event can also be registered by individuals using the CFP's 1-800 number or by the courts with the issuance of a Firearms Prohibiton Order. A CFO is authorized to investigate the incident to determine if the client remains eligible to hold a licence.

If Gabriel Wortman had attempted to get a firearms license, he'd have likely been rejected due to his known history of violence.

If he had a license, he'd have probably have lost his license and had his firearms confiscated after one or more of:
 -the report of domestic violence
 -the two reports that he had illegal firearms
 -the report that he "wanted to kill a cop"
 -several other bizarre incidents with police or neighbors.

If people who don't have firearms licenses were held to the same standard as those of us who do, the numerous red flags that Gabriel Wortman presented would have most likely would have alerted the police to the dangers he posed.  Which makes it very unfortunate that the government continues to focus all its attention on legal firearms owners rather than people like Wortman.


 -k