NORTH AND WEST VANCO
Ea mare REIS Te ERT

RAINY SEASON

When weather turns foul,
hikers should venture forth
with proper raingear.

Classifieds 986-6222

BE PREPARED

A few tips to make
motor home travel
that much casier.

Distribution 986-1337

Pro- and anti-firearms forces

argue public sa

A RECENT firearms seizure
in North Vancouver and a
West Vancouver man’s mur-
der in Philadelphia have
Lrought the emotionally
charged issue of gun control
to the North Shore once
again.

By Bruce Methven
Contributing Writer

Each year, 1,400 Canadians are
killed with firearms. In November,
Justice Minister Allan Rock will
bring forward proposals to sirength-
en Canada’s gun laws under Bill C-
17.

Locally, the two opposing sides
on the question of gun control are
represented by the Coalition for Gun
Control (CFGC) and the Responsible
Firearm Owners” Coalition of B.C.
(RFOCBC)}.

the CFGC say their research
indicates tougher laws result in safer
communities.

“I'm concerned with public safe-
ty and [| believe Canada needs to
have stricter gun contro] Jaws,” said
CFGC spokesman Ray Eagle of
West Vancouver.

According to Eagle, the CFGC is
attempting to counter “the misinfor-
mation being spread by the gun
lobby that we should be concerned
about criminals. In fact, most gun
incidents are between friends and
family,” he said.

The CFGC proposes a number of
firearm reforms, including the regis-
tration of all guns, the controlled sale
of ammunition and a total ban on
military assault weapons.

Eagle said he has unanimous sup-
port for his views from North Shore
politicians, but admits he hasnt had
much success on the federal level.

Eagle met with Capilano-Howe
Sound Reform MP Herb Grubel, but

fety at issue
nn

Ti

F

NEWS photo Paul McGrath

THE ISSUE of gun ownership
never fails to polarize the
public in the search for com-
mon ground.

came away frustrated and angry.

“He’s the most offensive man
I've ever met, said Eagle.

“He was rude, arrogant and
wouldn't listen. He wasn’t interested
in anything I had to say. He is a bun-
dle of nervous raw energy, The man
is irrational,” Eagle concluded.

But Grubel said he objects to the
emotional nature of firearm control
discussions to date.

“It is not particularly fruitful to
talk in generalities. I would like to
see more specifics proposed,”
Grubel said.

He said in order to assess gun
control on an economic basis, it is
necessary for individuals to have
access to complete information.

“We already have strict gun con-
trol laws. Further restrictions on
guns will create additional costs on

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Travel

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photo Cindy Goodman @ Vintage Years

Weather

Monday, clouds with sunny periods
high 20°C. tow TEC

&@ Crossword

School slow-down

WEST VANCUUVER Police Const. Rick Burnett will be beaming at motorists
travelling through school zones during the first week of school. A speeding

. . $
fine will cost ° 125. Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreeny nt Number 0087236

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REACHING EVERY DOOR ON THE NORTH SHORE SINCE 1969