This is from a goverment survey
Public opinion on ‘gun control’ is more of a struggle between conflicting cultural values than a debate
over its effectiveness. Those who have ‘anti-firearm’ values support any measures that will restrict
gun use. Those with ‘pro-firearm’ values oppose these measures (Mauser, Buckner 1997: 13).
ˆ Only a small minority of Canadians support the confiscation of firearms from target shooters, collec-tors,
or from those who own guns for self-defence (Mauser, Buckner 1997: 38-42).
ˆ The overwhelming majority of Canadians (and Americans) do not consider ‘gun control’ an impor-tant
issue (Kleck 1991: 365, 370; Kleck 1997: 330; Mauser, Buckner 1997: 17-21). Most do not
believe that restrictive firearm legislation is likely to have a significant effect on violence (Wright, et al.
1983: 235-237; Kleck 1991: 370; Mauser, Buckner 1997: 23).
ˆ Most Canadians are completely uninformed about existing firearm legislation (Gallup 1991: Table 6;
Mauser, Buckner 1997: 16). They are just as likely to say that they ‘support’ existing gun laws as
they are to ‘support’ proposed firearm legislation (Buckner June 1994: 5; Kleck 1991: 363-364).
ˆ While Canadian government surveys appear to show “strong” support for The Firearms Act (Bill C-68),
most Canadians, especially non-gun owners, are not “aware” that the Act even exists, nor do
they have any specific knowledge of the reforms introduced by the legislation (Angus Reid 1998).
ˆ Only a minority of gun owners support The Firearms Act; however, they are only slightly more likely
than nonowners to have any specific knowledge of the Act, and appear unaware of its ultimate im-pact
on them (Angus Reid 1998). As they become aware of the Act, it is likely that support among
gun owners will decline even further (Mauser, Buckner 1997: 18).
ˆ Both government-sponsored and independent surveys show that 30 per cent to 70 per cent of Cana-dian
gun owners will not register all of their guns, or obtain the licences required by The Firearms
Act (Angus Reid 1998; Buckner, Mauser 1997: 36-37). These findings are consistent with the Ca-nadian
experience with handgun registration in 1934, universal firearm registration in Canada during
World War Two, and of other Commonwealth nations such as Britain, Australia and New Zealand.
ˆ Support for ‘gun control’ among most non-gun owners is typically weak and unstable (Kleck 1991:
365). Few consider the issue important enough for them to act on (such as writing letters to legisla-tors
in support of firearm legislation).
ˆ Gun owners have far more at stake with restrictive gun laws. As a result, they are much more likely
than nonowners to become politically involved in opposing firearm legislation (Kleck 1991: 365; Ko-pel,
Mauser 1992: 85-86).
Executive Summary
Public Opinion and ‘Gun Control’
Executive Summary