Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservative government must signal its recognition of the importance of strong, effective gun control by abandoning its plans to scrap the federal gun registry, said Liberal Leader Bill Graham, who participated in a press conference with the Dawson Committee for Gun Control in Ottawa November 28.

”At Dawson College this past September, we experienced gun violence in a very real way. Whether we were present for those horrific events, or watched them unfold in the news, all Canadians felt the shock, horror and grief of that day,” said Mr. Graham.

”In spite of this, Stephen Harper’s minority government wants to scrap the gun registry, weakening gun control in Canada. We are gathered here today to urge him to reconsider putting the lives of more Canadians at risk and to maintain the gun registry.”

Mr. Graham was joined by Nelson and Louise De Sousa, parents of Anastasia De Sousa, who died in the September 13 shooting; shooting victim Hayder Kadhim; and Dawson College professor Mary Hlywa. Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe was also present. Together, they called on the Conservative government to abandon its plans to abolish the Canadian Firearms Registry.

The gun registry has proven an invaluable tool in the prevention of gun violence, Graham said. He said all types of gun deaths - homicide, suicide and accidents - have declined since the registry was brought into force. The registry also has the overwhelming support of Canadian police. On average, officers make more than 5,000 queries every day, and approximately 15,965 licenses have been refused or revoked since the Firearms Act came into force.

”As a society, we cannot afford to ignore this issue - the cost is too high. And the Prime Minister cannot continue to ignore the De Sousa family and Hayder Khadim. We must do all we can to prevent gun violence in our communities, and it is incumbent upon the Conservative government to take the lead by maintaining the gun registry,” said Mr. Graham.