Layton unveils proposals to crack down on gun crime

Last Updated: Friday, January 6, 2006 | 8:05 PM ET

CBC News

Denying he was moving to the political right, NDP Leader Jack Layton unveiled a tough-on-crime message Friday, proposing mandatory minimum sentences and a pledge to try 16-year-olds charged with gun offences as adults.

Layton released his platform on fighting crime in Surrey, B.C. Gun violence has become a hot-button issue following the Boxing Day shooting in downtown Toronto that killed a 15-year-old girl and wounded six others.

Layton's plan includes:

NDP Leader Jack Layton talks to reporters in Surrey, B.C. on Friday, Jan. 6 after announcing his party's get-tough platform on crime and gang violence. (CP photo)

• A four-year minimum sentence for illegal possession and sale of restricted weapons such as handguns and automatics.
• A four-year minimum sentence for importing illegal guns
• Tougher border controls, including arming customs officers.
• Supporting reverse-onus legislation for bail on all gun-related crimes and making sure bail conditions are strictly followed.

Layton said he would also change legislation so that young offenders 16 and over who are charged with gun offences are tried as adults.

Layton said he agreed in most cases with the premise of the Youth Criminal Justice Act that teenagers are not adults and that fact needs to be recognized by the justice system.

But he said, "If you take your gun to town you forfeit the right for special consideration because of your age.

"When you're 16, you get to drive a car. We believe when you're 16, you should be voting. We believe that if you're going to carry a gun, then you should be treated as an adult when you're 16."

Layton rejected suggestions that he was joining the Conservative bandwagon on crime.

"You know, Canadians expect to see consequences for serious crime."

He said the Tories don't understand the factors that can feed crime, including growing inequality, poverty and a sense of despair in a community.

But he said those are no excuses for violent behaviour.

"Nobody in Canada has the right to go around shooting others, no matter what the reason."

Layton also balked at suggestions he was trying to score political points from the high-profile issue of gun violence.

"A young woman – a constituent of mine – was shot to death on a street that I've been on thousands of times," Layton said.

"To suggest that our reaction as political leaders, at whatever level, is some sort of political posturing is something I just can't accept, because it's not where I'm coming from in my heart."