[Atlas]

Canadian Murders per year are at 582

Yorkton – Statistics Canada’s recent report on homicides committed in 2002 proves conclusively that registering guns is a complete failure as a way of reducing both the number of murders and the number of murders committed with firearms. “In 2002, the number of murders increased to 582 - 29 more than last year - so the gun registry sure didn’t save any lives,” commented Breitkreuz, the Official Opposition’s critic for firearms and property rights. “And, despite seven decades of mandatory handgun registration, the use of handguns in firearm homicides has been steadily increasing from 27% in 1974 to 66% in 2002. Conversely, firearm homicides with rifles and shotguns that weren't registered until very recently dropped steadily - from 63% to 25% over the same 28-year period,” reported Breitkreuz.> >