Universal syringe registration?
Online posting: Sept. 29, 1997
Published in print: November 1, 1997 (CMAJ 1997;157:1197)
Re: Does Rock's arrival at Health Canada signal growing
importance for portfolio?, Charlotte Gray, Can Med Assoc
J 1997;157(4):439-40 [full text / résumé]
When I saw Charlotte Gray's article I thought the title was
either a misprint or a provocative lead-in to an obvious answer
of "no."
Gray begins by describing those who opposed Rock's firearm-
control measures as "rural gun owners, urban vigilantes and
Canadian members of the US-based National Rifle Association." I
do not know any urban vigilantes or Canadian NRA members. Perhaps
Gray could instead have listed many leading criminologists,
outdoor sportsmen, Olympic target shooters and persons concerned
with civil liberties and integrity in public policy. Polls have
indeed revealed that most Canadians support some sort of gun
control, but this depends on the wording. An overwhelming
majority also support capital punishment, but the Liberals only
quote the opinion polls that suit them. Rock was subjected to
scorn mainly because when he met with representatives of the
major Canadian shooting organizations he denied that he would
introduce restrictive and draconian legislation, and then he
proceeded to break his word with Bill C-68.
There is conclusive international evidence that firearms
registration is ineffective in preventing or solving violent
crimes, and this has been acknowledged by the CMA, the federal
Reform and Progressive Conservative parties, 4 provinces, 1
territory and the federal auditor general. Gun control only
affects legitimate firearm owners such as target shooters,
sportsmen and collectors, since criminals just ignore the law.
The evidence and the testimonies of many whose lives have been
saved by firearms met with patronizing indifference from Rock
during the Bill C-68 hearings. If his bill survives legal
challenges, it may actually increase violent crime because
registration is so expensive to implement and maintain that funds
will be diverted from already tight police budgets. This has
occurred in Britain. New Zealand scrapped universal firearms
registration in 1983 following a recommendation from police.
Since health care delivery is generally a provincial
responsibility and traditionally a low priority for the Liberals,
the appointment of Allan Rock as minister of health is a natural
outcome of his lacklustre and justifiably unpopular tenure as
justice minister. Rock kept a low profile during the recent
election campaign, and many were surprised that he subsequently
received a cabinet post of any type. His appointment does not
bode well for physicians. I anticipate that he will soon
introduce a drug-control bill, replete with an outright ban on
small concealable syringes, universal syringe registration and
mandatory needle-acquisition certificates.
W. David Colby, MSc, MD
Assistant Professor, Microbiology & Immunology
University of Western Ontario
London, Ont.
David.Colby@lhsc.on.ca
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