Knife ban makes more sense than gun ban, says firearms instructor

It would make more sense for the Liberal government to bring in knife control than gun control, says a Saskatchewan firearms instructor. 

North Battleford resident Gordon Dykstra – who teaches the federal non-restricted and restricted firearms courses – slammed the Trudeau government’s gun ban saying knives are used more often than guns in homicides. 

“It would be more logical for the Liberals to have knife control where every man, woman and child would have to take an eight-hour course, pass a practical and written test (80 per cent), then buy a license to be permitted to handle and buy knives,” said Dykstra, but added, “This would be as stupid as gun control.” 

According to Statistics Canada, when a weapon is used in a violent crime, a knife is the most common choice.

In addition, Dykstra said the Liberal gun ban - brought in May 1, 2020, and immediately banned about 1,500 rifles – politicizes last month’s mass shooting in Nova Scotia where former denturist Gabriel Wortman went on a rampage murdering 22 people. The Nova Scotia gunman didn’t have a firearms license and his weapons were obtained illegally. The RCMP have said that three of the four semi-automatic weapons that Wortman used are believed to have come from the United States.“

As usual, the Liberals are using a tragedy to fulfill their political agenda against guns.” 

Dykstra – who has taught Saskatchewan Hunters Safety for more than 40 years - also took issue with the fact that the Liberals put through the gun ban without Parliamentary debate or a vote. 

“It was done during a pandemic so there could be no protesting or meetings among gun owners,” he said. “Gun owners have other major concerns like the COVID-19, starting businesses, taking care of children not in school and financial problems.” 

Dykstra also questioned who is deciding what guns to ban. 

“Whoever thought out this ridiculous gun ban doesn’t know guns,” he said.

“I believe a lot of legal gun owners are going to be unknowingly breaking the law. The penalty for owning a prohibited weapon is two to 10 years (in prison).” 

Dykstra said the gun ban will stop most bird hunting this fall.

“A lot of guns on the list are used for varmint control and hunting purposes.”

Indigenous people excluded from gun ban

Justice Minister David Lametti said indigenous hunters are excluded from the gun ban. 

“There will be an exception for Indigenous people’s exercising a section 35 hunting right, as well as those who use the weapon for hunting to feed themselves or their family,” Justice Minister David Lametti told reporters earlier this month. 

Dykstra calls this move asinine. 

“Do the Liberals think the natives do not commit any gun crimes? Justin Trudeau clearly stated that the guns he banned have no use in hunting, yet indigenous people can use these types of guns.” 

Soft on crime, tough on law-abiding citizens

Dykstra accused the Liberal government of being soft on crime and tough on legal gun owners. He said the gun ban doesn’t combat gun and gang violence or illegal guns being smuggled into Canada. And, he said the gun violence plaguing large cities like Toronto doesn’t apply to rural Canada. 

“As a legal gun owner, I feel the Liberals are telling us we are guilty of crimes other deranged people in the East have committed,” said Dykstra. 

“The people I teach hunter safety to are responsible, very safe and nice people. You cannot find a great group of people than those trying to do the right responsible thing in becoming safe gun owners.”