Politics/Cartoons - Where the line is drawn... [Pt.6]

Bryant and Miller go on another diversionary rampage...

Toronto Mayor David Miller said the latest rash of gun violence shows why Canada needs to toughen its gun laws, tighten border security and issue a complete ban on handguns.

"It's very clear that gun violence is connected to the ownership of guns," Miller told the media. "Handguns are still allowed to be owned in Canada, and they're stolen from owners and used in crimes."

The fewer guns there are around, the fewer are used in crimes - it's jut that simple," Miller said. "We (shouldn't) allow people to collect them anymore- -- collections are for things like stamps, not things that, when they're stolen, are used to shoot people."

"We know where the guns come from," Miller said. "Half come across the border, sometimes more than half. We need real action on border security.

"And the second thing we need is to take care of our own house. Handguns are still legal in Canada, partially, and we've got to make them completely illegal."[Miller]

"there are over 250,000 registered handguns in Ontario, all waiting to be stolen" [Bryant, CBC]

Political grandstanding on the tail of personal tragedy is fast becoming the contemptible, and increasingly blatant stock-in-trade of Liberals and other ultra-left in Ontario. Witness the recent "outrage" [and multiple media sources -Ed.] from Michael Bryant, Ontario Attorney General [Liberal, St. Paul's] and David Miller, knee-deep in water as the captain of the sinking ship that is Toronto. 11 year old Ephraim Brown was apparently hit and killed by a stray bullet about 1 a.m. while at a party, in a gang shootout that resulted in nine shots being exchanged by rival gangs in a late night battle in Toronto's embattled Finch corridor.

In the wake of Ephraim Brown's shooting death early yesterday, Michael Bryant said he will push Prime Minister Stephen Harper to ban handguns, tighten up the gun registry and safe storage rules, and enforce the provincial weapons program.

[...]

Thousands of guns are stolen every year and there are too many on Toronto's streets, he said. It's time to crack down on illegal gun traders and make it harder to get a handgun, Bryant said, adding he will ask the federal government for support in "closing the loopholes that exist to get a handgun."

"We need to choke off the gun supply from legal gun owners to illegal gun owners."

Hyperbole doesn't stop gang warfare, and neither does targeting citizens who play no part. Canada's firearms laws already impose heavy burdens on ordinary Canadians while leaving the criminal element untouched. Its already illegal to possess an unregistered handgun. Its already illegal to use a firearm in the commission of an offence. Its already illegal to break into someone's home and steal their guns. Its already illegal to shoot at someone not in self-defence.

"We need to choke off the gun supply from legal gun owners to illegal gun owners" is nothing more than a thinly veiled threat to confiscate the firearms of citizens under the pretense of "public safety". The firearms of lawful citizens are not now, nor have they ever been, the issue in gang warfare by Toronto's thugs and street gangs. "Thousands of guns are stolen..." -back that up with real stats, Mr. Bryant. Canada has thousands of unregistered handguns circulating, and that isn't ever going to change. What Bryant needs to focus on is policing and sentencing of gangs and their members for criminal activities. The necessary laws are on the books, Michael, you have to work a little harder and smarter to catch the perps, dude. My legal rightfully owned firearms are nobody's concern but mine.

Come the fall, Ontarioans need to put a party in place that gets the big picture. It should be clear to all that it isn't Dalton and Company (if anyone needs further evidence of the multi-culti hypocrisy of the Ontario Liberals this ought to help you with that. Spin-mode is at warp speed currently).

As for Miller - the constant harping about handguns is diverting him from tackling the real issues in Toronto. Or is that the plan? Could it be that Miller still has no idea for Toronto, beyond tilting at windmills and finding new taxes to burden its beleaguered citizens?

[Update] Arrest made, with more details.

[Update 2]"TORONTO (CP) — A 21-year-old man who police say is “extremely well known” as an active gang member has been arrested in the weekend shooting death of 11-year-old Ephraim Brown.

The Grade 6 student was killed in the crossfire of a suspected gang shootout early Sunday at a house party near Jane St. and Sheppard Ave.

The boy was struck in the neck by a stray bullet during the shooting and died at the scene shortly after police arrived.

His grieving sisters have appealed for their troubled community to take action and ensure that no more innocent lives are lost.

Det.-Sgt. Gary Giroux says he expects other arrests in relation to the shooting.

He appealed to the 50-70 other people at the party to come forward with any information. "I now expect the community to come forward," Giroux said.

Akiel Eubank, 20, of Toronto, was charged with first-degree murder after he arrived at a city hospital with a gunshot wound to the thigh.

The boy was one of four people killed by gunfire this weekend in separate incidents across the city; at least four other people were injured.

It’s the 43rd shooting death in Toronto this year."

[...]

12 Division
Community Bulletin – Oct. 1 st – 9 th
12 Division . Toronto Police Service . 416 808 1200 . 200 Trethewey Drive . Toronto . ON . M6M 5E6

ARREST OF THE WEEK:
SHARP EYED OFFICER ARRESTS MAN FOR A VICIOUS ASSAULT
AFTER HE INITIALLY ESCAPED CUSTODY OF ARRESTING COP:
It is alleged that: on August 4 th , the accused male along with several others entered Mario Bros. bar on Weston Road and attacked a patron, beating and stabbing him. The victim was able to identify the accused and a warrant was taken out for his arrest by 12 Division. On Monday, September 25 th , the accused was spotted by an alert uniformed officer who attempted to place the accused under arrest. A brief struggle ensued and the accused managed to make good his escape after assaulting the officer. The officer again located the accused on Monday, October 2 nd , and on this occasion, made sure that he was not taken by surprise. He was able to place the accused under arrest without further incident. He was taken to the station where he was charged accordingly and held in custody pending a mandatory bail hearing.

Arrested: EUBANK Akiel Tafari, 20 years of Toronto
Charge: Assault with Intent to Resist Arrest
Escape Lawful Custody
Fail to Comply – Probation
Assault with a Weapon
Weapons Dangerous
Assault
Threatening Death

So, an escaped crook with a long list of serious charges, including assault with a weapon, threatening death etc, and escape lawful custody, is back on the street, to be accused of using a firearm again, this time with deadly consequences?

Bryant, Miller, save your pedantic rhetoric about the "evils of guns", and get on with doing your job of incarcerating criminals, and keep them there. While you're at it, support federal initiatives for tougher sentences. Had you done so earlier, Ephraim Brown might be alive. His blood is on your hands, not the hands of hundreds of thousands of lawful firearms owners.