In 2021 shootings were up to 297, stabbings 242 — both record highs. Read more from Herbert Grubel
, British Columbia. Reading about these tragic events, I found myself wondering whether stabbings in Canada are taking the place of shootings as ever more legislation and enforcement make guns more difficult to own and buy.Sign up to receive the daily top stories from the Financial Post, a division of Postmedia Network Inc.By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
The decade up to 1985 roughly coincides with legislation reducing the availability of guns. In 1968 firearms were divided into non-restricted, restricted, and prohibited categories, while 1977 changes to the Criminal Code introduced firearm acquisition certificates for rifles and shotguns and mandated record-keeping by arms dealers.
From 1988 until 2013 stabbings and shootings fluctuated, with shootings exceeding stabbings in 15 years, mainly in the first half of the period, and stabbings exceeding shootings in 11 years, mainly in the second half. Over these years, there is a weak negative correlation between the two: when one goes up, the other goes down and vice versa.
In 2014 the pattern changed. Both shootings and stabbings increased sharply. In 2021 shootings were up to 297, stabbings 242. Each is a record for its category.Article contentIn 2012 the Conservatives eliminated the registration of unrestricted firearms, while in 2015 they relaxed controls on restricted and prohibited weapons. Even if these changes were responsible for the increase in shootings, however, they don’t explain the increase in stabbings.
The Statistics Canada data also show, somewhat gruesomely, other methods used to commit homicides. Among them, “strangulations” and “beatings” together averaged about 30 per cent of the total from 1974 to 2021. To complete the grim catalogue: “burns or suffocation,” “other” and “unknown” together accounted for eight per cent of the total, though again with no obvious correlation with shootings or stabbings.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Opinion: When guns are controlled do killers switch to knives?In 2021 shootings were up to 297, stabbings 242 — both record highs. Read more from Herbert Grubel
Read more »
Opinion | Opinion and news stories cautioning about Mexican travel were justified“Should Canadians write off Mexico as a travel destination?” Opinion and news stories cautioning about Mexican travel were justified, writes Star public editor donovanvincent.
Read more »
3 reasons why investing now is better than in the go-go days of 2021Bonds, price to earnings ratios and investor sentiment: Here are 3 reasons why investing now is better than in the go\u002Dgo days of 2021
Read more »
3 reasons why investing now is better than in the go-go days of 2021Bonds, price to earnings ratios and investor sentiment: Here are 3 reasons why investing now is better than in the go\u002Dgo days of 2021
Read more »
Woman wanted in 2021 homicide of Toronto senior citizen arrestedA second suspect has been arrested in connection with an investigation into the death of a senior citizen who was punched on the Danforth in 2021.
Read more »
Woman wanted in 2021 homicide of Toronto senior citizen arrestedA second suspect has been arrested in connection with an investigation into the death of a senior citizen who was punched on the Danforth in 2021.
Read more »