Control issues: The stark differences between U.S. and Canadian gun laws
Speaking off-script at an event in Halifax Wednesday morning, Canada's minister of public safety said he was gutted by the latest mass shooting south of the border -- the 27th in a U.S. school this year alone.
"There are no words," said Marco Mendicino, responding to news a gunman had shot and killed at least 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.
"I think it's also an incredible reminder that we still have a lot of work to do ourselves here in Canada," he said.
"We're not immune from the kind of gun violence that, sadly, has afflicted many communities here, and it's not just about writing responsible and common-sense laws. It's not just about investing more in law enforcement so we can protect our borders and make sure our communities are well policed and well resourced. It's about stopping crime from occurring in the first place, isn't it?"
It's a fact Maritimers know perhaps even better than other Canadians, as a public inquiry into Nova Scotia's mass shooting continues its work in finding answers into what happened in April 2020.
Still, controversy continues to follow the Mass Casualty Commission.
Even in previous years, Maritimers witnessed shocking acts of multiple people being gunned-down in a hail of bullets, including Moncton in June 2014 and Fredericton in August 2018.
The Texas shooting -- on the heels of another in Buffalo -- has reignited a long-standing debate on gun control in the U.S. and sparked inevitable questions about whether Canadians are doing enough on this side of the border.
"It was an awful tragedy. I felt sick to my stomach," gun shop owner Ross Faulkner told CTV News Wednesday.
After nearly half-a-century in the gun business, Faulkner has seen plenty of change in firearms regulations over the years, notably in the last 20 years.
He insists Canada has some of the strictest laws anywhere, starting with registration and licensing.
"An everyday person cannot come into my establishment and buy a firearm. What's required is that you need to obtain a firearms licence," he said, adding that requires passing a three-day course and then undergoing background checks after applying for a licence.
He says authorities often turn down applicants if the checks reveal problematic behaviour, and the paperwork can be revoked just as quickly.
Although many Canadians tend to see more similarities than differences with their American neighbours, there's also some fundamentals of law that have shaped the way they think.
"There's no equivalent at all to the 'Right to Bear Arms,'" says Wayne MacKay, a constitutional expert and Dalhousie University professor emeritus of law.
"In fact, even property is not directly protected in our constitution. So, it's not part of our way of thinking about our identity, or thinking about our individuality."
And now, as Americans once again grieve and look for answers, Canadians can only offer support, while struggling to find the words.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Hamas says latest ceasefire talks have ended. Israel vows military operation in 'very near future'
The latest round of Gaza cease-fire talks ended in Cairo after "in-depth and serious discussions,"{ the Hamas militant group said Sunday, reiterating key demands that Israel again rejected.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
B.C. man wants homes for thousands of books he soon won't be able to read
In the 10 years since John William started to lose his vision, he's been finding new ways to enjoy his vast personal library.
‘Love has no boundaries’: Sask. couple in their 90s and 80s get married
Eighty-two-year-old Susan Neufeldt and 90-year-old Ulrich Richter are no spring chickens, but their love blossomed over the weekend with their wedding at Pine View Manor just outside of Rosthern.
Trudeau 'absolutely' best person to lead the Liberals in next election: LeBlanc insists
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc insists he's not planning a leadership campaign to head the Liberal party, should current leader and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resign, seemingly quashing rumours he's planning to make a move for his boss' job.
Bombarded with spam texts? Stats show the problem is getting worse in Canada
In particular, messages that involve phishing — an attack where a scammer tries to trick the recipient into clicking a malicious link, downloading malware or sharing sensitive information — are on the rise.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
opinion You don't need to be an influencer to earn income from social media
How legitimate are claims by some content creators that the average person can earn passive income from social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram? Personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says it's quite possible, if you're willing to put in the initial time and effort.
William Shatner says he would consider 'Star Trek' return: 'Here comes Captain Kirk!'
The Montreal-born actor, famed for his portrayal of Captain Kirk in "Star Trek," says he is open to reprising the iconic role in the sci-fi franchise as long as the storytelling is stellar.