Gun-ban measures widely supported

During the last election campaign, the Liberals promised to enact gun control measures that would ban assault-style weapons and would buy-back those types of weapons that were legally obtained by Canadians.

The Liberals have kept their word, but it is strange that 20% of the population that oppose the new regulations get the most press. The remaining 80% of the population who support the ban remain silent because to argue with the protesters is futile and a waste of time. It is a done deal.

We live in a democracy and when 80% of the population agree with the government’s action – then that’s the way it should be.

Those people who feel “entitled” to go against the will of the majority remind me of petulant children who insist on their “rights.” The majority of citizens decide our “rights” in a democracy.

The protesters state that the criminals will still get access to these weapons. That may be so if there is not a complete ban. How will a gun owner prevent a burglar from stealing his (the owner’s) weapon. Is he going to keep it in a locked cabinet in his living room? Not so safe. Is he going to sleep with it and guard it 24 hours per day? Impossible. Therefore, a criminal could get access to the weapon. A total ban is required.

I sincerely hope that the Liberals now turn their attention to banning handguns, but the only way this is going to work is to impose a lengthy jail sentence on those people who are caught with the banned weapons — no exceptions and no “grandfather” clauses.

We must not allow these dissenters to diminish the political process in the manner the National Rifle Association controls the Republican party in the United States.

Patrick MacDonald, West Kelowna