Gun Culture And Society
Making sense of Canada’s unique gun culture
Making sense of Canada’s unique gun culture
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✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍Abbotsford, B.C.
Canadians often pride themselves on being different from Americans especially concerning their approaches to gun ownership. Noah Schwartz, a political science professor at the University of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, B.C., argues that there is an "almost lazy reliance on American understandings of gun policy" to explain the complexities of gun laws in Canada. In his recently published book, Targeted (University of Toronto Press), Schwartz explores the history of Canada's gun regime, detailing how recent laws have frustrated local gun owners. During an enlightening discussion with Canadian Affairs reporter Meagan Gillmore, Schwartz contrasts Canadian and American gun cultures. He points out a stark divergence that has developed over the decades. While American gun laws have generally loosened since the late 20th century, allowing concealed carry and increasingly free access to firearms, Canada has pursued tighter regulations. Schwartz notes that since the 1970s, Canada established a robust gun licensing system designed to create a safe storage environment and thoroughly screen potential gun owners. "In Canada, gun owners view firearms as tools of leisure, sport, and hunting rather than instruments of violence," Schwartz explains. This perspective reflects a crucial difference from American gun culture, which is more heavily framed around self-defense and constitutional rights. He mentions that many Canadians see their firearms as essential tools for ensuring food security and enjoying outdoor recreational activities. As part of his research for the book, Schwartz personally experienced the rigorous gun licensing process in Canada. He reflected on how it transformed his perspective regarding restrictive regulations. For instance, during his application, law enforcement contacted his former partner to assess his mental health due to a relationship breakdown. "This level of scrutiny is a safeguard against potential misuse of firearms, but it can feel invasive," Schwartz notes. Interestingly, a plurality of Canadian gun owners supports these strict regulations as a means of ensuring public safety. However, the debate around the licensing process becomes complicated when tragic events prompt rapid legislative action. After the 2020 mass shooting in Nova Scotia, the Canadian government introduced a ban on assault-style weapons, which many gun owners found frustrating. Schwartz raises a compelling point: "If a person has gone through rigorous screening to own a firearm, why is their legally obtained property suddenly deemed dangerous?" Schwartz discusses the tendency for legislators to introduce policies designed in the wake of public tragedies without sufficient evidence to support their effectiveness. He believes that knee-jerk reactions to horrific events often overshadow careful, evidence-based policymaking. Such rapid responses can lead to unnecessary restrictions that do not effectively address the underlying issues contributing to gun violence. In addressing Canadas challenges regarding illegal firearms, Schwartz emphasizes that the issue stems from broader social conditions, not merely regulatory failures. While Canada can control its legal firearms market, it must confront the fact that illegal guns often originate from neighboring countries, particularly the U.S., which has a much larger gun population. "The issue is not so much about the supply of legal firearms but rather understanding the demand for illegal guns and the social conditions that foster criminal activity," Schwartz asserts. As the interview closes, Schwartz emphasizes the potential loss to Canadian society if the culture surrounding sport shooting dwindles. Such activities foster community ties, civic engagement, and provide solitude from the overwhelming distractions of modern entertainment. "The urban-centric view of Canadian identity often overlooks how integral firearms are to rural life and engagement with nature." The collective narrative surrounding gun ownership in Canada is complicated, intertwined with identities that stretch back through history. Schwartz believes that understanding this narrative could significantly impact future discussions about Canadian gun laws.