Armed civilians benefit society, but Ottawa claims firearm owners need to be closely monitored to ensure public safety. Supposedly, public safety requires not only licencing and gun registration but also nightly checks by the police (“continuous eligibility screening”), and, even that’s not enough, because the Liberals sporadically impose ever increasing restrictions – and more restrictions – and prohibitions. Carney’s 2026 gun grab is typical Liberal policy, if delusional.
Balderdash
Ottawa can only get away with such outlandish lies because Canadians do not know their own history. Long before the Possession and Acquisition Licence (the PAL) was imposed, civic minded Canadian firearms owners were the backbone of society. The firearms community has long nurtured a culture of safety; they have stood up to protect their families, their neighbors, and the country. In this post, I will outline how armed civilians have created and nurtured a culture of safety — long before the government imposed gun control laws. In both Canada and in the United States.
Armed civilians benefit society in many ways
First, civilian gun owners protect their communities. In the US, multiple surveys, including the 2021 National Firearms Survey by professor English, determined that armed citizens use their guns defensively about 1.67 million times annually; and that, “in most defensive incidents (81.9 percent) no shot was fired.”
In Canada, while self-defence law is reasonable, legal restrictions make it all but illegal for citizens to use a firearm to protect themselves or their families. Nevertheless, a peer-reviewed study found that Canadians report using firearms to protect themselves between 60,000 and 80,000 times per year from dangerous people or animals.
Second, hunters pioneered a uniquely successful model of wildlife conservation, the North American Wildlife Conservation Model back in the 19th century. A model of wildlife conservation that relies upon wide-spread civilian gun ownership.
Third, armed Canadians have long been among the most patriotic and responsible of citizens. This was widely recognized by politicians and other authorities until recently. Firearms owners were foremost among the patriots who volunteered to fight during both World Wars, as well as in Korea and Afghanistan.
Fourth, armed civilians are exceptionally nonviolent. Moose kill more Canadians than licenced gun owners. According to the most recent statistics, that’s still true. Our opponents spend lavishly on anti-gun propaganda, but they hide the truth.
Fifth, firearms accidents are rare. Thanks to constant vigilance by many responsible firearms owners. As well as responsible parenting. And we can do better.
Hunters are the best conservationists
The North American Wildlife Conservation Model is the most successful approach to conserving and enhancing wildlife in the world. Canadian fish and game organizations were among the leaders. The success of this approach relies upon widespread hunting opportunity. For more details, check out Professor Val Geist‘s publications.
In North America, every hunter has a vested interest in protecting the vulnerable animals from poaching or environmental degradation. Hunting is only allowed under strict regulations based upon ecological rules that guarantee healthy wildlife populations. The result is that hunters are the driving force behind wildlife conservation.
North American Wildlife Conservation Model
In contrast, the North American Wildlife Conservation Model is the most successful approach to wildlife conservation in the world. It was originated by big game hunters, led by President Theodore Roosevelt. Thanks to hunter organizations, all Canadian provinces and states in the US instituted hunting regulations that protect and enhance wildlife across the continent.
The North American Wildlife Conservation Model relies upon widespread hunting opportunities and civilian gun ownership. Recognizing the vital importance of firearm safety, North American fish and game organizations have been among the first to introduce and promote a culture of safety which begins with regulations. But doesn’t end there.
Fish and game clubs and the culture of safety
Realizing that government regulations alone would never guarantee hunter safety, Canadian fish and game clubs, knew they had to install the culture of safety in the hearts and minds of civilian firearm owners. Such efforts relied upon a longstanding tradition of responsible firearms ownership.
With the increase in hunter numbers after World War II, the National Rifle Association in the United States, building upon decades of involvement with marksmanship training, launched the first hunter safety program in 1951. American and Canadian fish and game clubs followed suit, quickly ramping up their efforts to teach firearms safety, and pressuring provincial governments to mandate safety courses as part of hunting licences. By the mid-1970s, almost all provincial and territorial governments required hunters to take a firearm safety course as part of hunter safety training.
Deaths due to gun accidents have been decreasing for decades
The results of the resulting culture of safety are readily seen in the plummeting numbers of accidental firearms deaths in Canada since the 1970s. Our families are safe, as are our children. More children die in typical home bathtubs than from firearm injuries.
Deaths due to gun accidents are low
In 2024, the latest year statistics are available, there were just 13 accidental firearms deaths in all of Canada. Too many, certainly, but strikingly low given that an estimated 4 million people own firearms in Canada. That’s just 0.33 per 100,000 firearms owners and compares quite favourably with accidental deaths from other activities. Doubt not that many of these accidents involved thugs or drug dealers, not hunters or sport shooters.
Accidental deaths in 2024
| Frequency deaths | Rate per 100,000 | Base population | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorcycles | 225 | 24 | 830,000 motorcycles and mopeds |
| Falls | 8,548 | 19.5 | 41 million Canadians |
| Motor vehicles | 1,990 | 4.7 | 41 million Canadians |
| Pedal cycles | 76 | 1.23 | 6.5 million active cyclists |
| Firearms | 13 | 0.31 | 4 million firearms owners |
| Source: | Statistics Canada | Death by Cause | Chapter XX |
Riding a bicycle is much more dangerous than owning a firearm. And motorcycles? MDs call motorcycle riders “organ donors,”
The statistics show that firearms ownership is safer than other outdoor activities: 13 people died from firearms accidents out of 4 million firearms owners in 2024. That’s just 0.31 deaths per hundred thousand firearms owners.
Don’t credit Canadian gun laws either. Just about half of Canadian firearms owners have bothered to get a PAL.
Credit should go to the gun culture.
Ottawa should encourage civilians to arm
