Editor:
Re: City of Surrey shoots down gun show, March 9.
I have never owned a gun in my life and probably never will. That said, I was more than a little puzzled by Surrey city hall’s stand on the B.C. Rod and Gun Show that was supposed to happen in the area.
I went to one such show a few years ago to check out the military collectors. Sure, there were some handguns there but they were ‘collectors’ guns, not fully automatic machine guns like AK-47s. I did not see any bazookas or hand grenades. Nor did I see any displays for AR-15s.
Even though I’m opposed to having handguns sold in Canada, I see no harm in allowing the rod-and-gun show to happen, since the selling of weapons is legal in Canada. It’s not like a gun show in the U.S., where it seems you can buy almost anything your little heart desires, including surplus tanks and obsolete ships and aircraft.
This seems to be more about “much ado about nothing” than a constructive debate about gun control.
Methinks Surrey’s mayor and certain members of council might have taken their ‘legitimate’ concerns about guns in the hands of criminals way too far!
Bad guys are not going to buy a First World War revolver and use it to gun down one of the opposites!
Mark Tyson, Surrey
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I was glad to read in PAN that the Surrey council misfired the gun show.
The City of Surrey has enough guns and the associated killings, which seem to happen on an ongoing basis without any rhymes and reasons.
Guns kill. We do not need more guns or gun shows in Surrey, B.C. or Canada.
Our neighbours south of the border seem to love guns. Such shows can be and should be held south of the border – in this case, in Blaine, Wash. – to satisfy the hunger of a very small minority of Canadians who support and/ or encourage such an activity.
Syed Islam Haider, White Rock
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Might as well refuse a permit for the International Autoshow. After all, they are going to be displaying and trying to sell dangerous 200-plus km/h million-dollar exotic vehicles.
It’s surprising the RCMP haven’t voiced concerns here.
If it’s a public-safety issue, then bring out the statistics for vehicle-versus-gun injuries and deaths.
Ted Rutledge, White Rock
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An open letter to Surrey council.
I would like to voice my displeasure at this council turning down the permit request for the B.C. Rod and Gun Show this April at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds.
How capricious of this council to turn down a request because Mayor Linda Hepner took issue with the name: “If it’s a sportsman show or an outdoorsman show, why don’t you call it that? Why do you call it ‘rod and gun?”
It is the same event that was approved last year. Does Hepner not realize outdoor sportsmen use guns to hunt and target shoot for sport? Does she not realize sportsmen are also Surrey residents and voters?
How exactly would this event be less “legal” or “safe” with RCMP in attendance checking licences than if I just walked in to International Guns in Guildford and bought my rifle or handgun with no police presence? I have my Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) for restricted and non-restricted firearms – I can buy long guns and handguns. Tell me why a trade show with RCMP in attendance is somehow less “legal”.
Those of us who want to have firearms for hunting or target practice have already jumped through all the hoops that the federal and provincial governments have set up regarding courses and background checks and have been found to be not a risk of possessing or using firearms by our RCMP and government.
Do you realize that many of the people who would attend these shows are actually police and security officers? There are many gun ranges in the Lower Mainland; should they be denied their business licences because you “don’t like the name of that business”?
City governments are supposed to represent all citizens, not just the ones they share interests with.
I am not a car enthusiast, but I wouldn’t want any government should stop giving permits to people who want to hold car shows. Cars, by the way, kill and injure thousands of times more people than guns.
Worried about criminals buying guns? Guess what, Mayor Hepner, they already have them and they didn’t buy them from a gun store or gun show with their PALs.
The people who you are denying this show to aren’t your or the RCMP’s problem – we are legal and responsible gun owners. We are already here, we already have guns and you aren’t stopping anything other than impeding our ability as citizens to partake in our hobby of choice in our own city.
Joanne DeVries, Surrey