MLA wants Nunavummiut to safely store their guns
Message follows Nov. 22 shooting in Kimmirut
South Baffin MLA David Joanasie has a message for his constituents about gun safety after a shooting incident in Kimmirut led to several charges, including attempted murder. (Photo by Jeff Pelletier)
South Baffin MLA David Joanasie is reminding Nunavummiut about the importance of gun safety after a recent shooting in Kimmirut.
“Violence, including gun violence isn’t the solution to our problems in Nunavut,” Joanasie said Wednesday in a social media post.
The community is going through a difficult time, he said, referring to the Nov. 22 incident that led to police laying several criminal charges, including attempted murder.
A 23-year-old man is accused of shooting a rifle at an unoccupied vehicle. Nobody was injured in the shooting. He is also charged with strangling a woman.
“As a leader, I thought it was incumbent on me to comment and share my thoughts around what we can do in light of the situation,” Joanasie said in an interview Thursday.
The MLA, whose constituency includes Kimmirut, noted the RCMP’s free gunlock program “has translated to less instances of [gun violence].”
More public education around the safely securing guns is needed, he said.
RCMP began a gun safety campaign in July, which highlights the importance of locking and securing guns in a safe location.
Hunting and the use of firearms is integral to the Inuit way of life, Joanasie said.
“As a hunter society, we are brought up to treat rifles and firearms as tools for hunting,” he added.
“These things are not to be played with, they could be dangerous and should be handled accordingly.”
It’s been commented in the past, and I agree, firearms safety could be taught in the school, say staring in elementary, then repeated annually in Junior high, with students in highschool having the option to apply for a PAL, eh?
I’ve seen many people store guns in their porch behind the door or the corner of the wall. It would take a program that like with gun locks to donate gun safes either metal or wooden for gun owners. People don’t have the money (or maybe some do but won’t buy a safe) for basic equipment how can they be expected to buy their own gun safe?