June 7 is the National Day Against Gun Violence, and it comes as Hamilton has seen a slew of shootings this year, putting the city on track to pass highs set years ago.
There have been 27 shootings in Hamilton so far this year. The latest was on Thursday, as a 38-year-old man was shot outside his West Mountain home. A 17-year-old boy was arrested in that shooting another suspect is still at large.
CHCH News spoke with a gun advocate who says the federal government has to do more to curb illegal gun violence in cities.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement on the National Day Against Gun Violence.
“We’re taking generational action to stop gun violence. In December, we passed the toughest gun and handgun control legislation in Canada’s history.”
He added that his government has increased penalties for gun smuggling and trafficking, and has implemented a national freeze on handguns, taking away firearms from those perpetrating domestic violence, and giving police and border services more tools to tackle these crime networks.
The CEO of the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights says the Trudeau government is to blame for the increased gun violence in this country.
Rod Giltaca said, “every measure they’ve put forward to supposedly combat firearm related crime in Canada has been aimed 100 per cent, well to be fair, about 98 per cent at licensed gun owners, and this is the results.”
Giltaca says it’s no longer a mystery where the guns are coming from. “We know the overwhelming majority… of all these firearms are coming from the United States…”
Hamilton Police Detective Sgt. Steve Bereziuk agrees. “The majority of these crime guns are coming from the United States and I think the statistics will support that. These are not firearms that we’re typically finding, they are lawful gun owners.”
The 27 shootings so far this year have Sgt. Bereziuk concerned. A shooting response team was created in March.
“They’ve been successful arresting and charging ten people we have 3 people still wanted for various firearm charges. Warrants have been issued and they’re circulating throughout the city.”
Hamilton police say the community has been instrumental in helping them investigate these shootings, and they’ll need that continued support going forward.
“Often we’re met with victims who don’t want to cooperate investigations either, but that doesn’t stop us investigating however if the community does assist us, we’re able to arrest people much quicker.”
While detectives don’t have all the answers, police say the underlying theme in the majority of shootings in Hamilton is drugs.