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The Citizen, 1994-12-14, Page 7THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1994. PAGE 7. Huron Tories nominate provincial candidate Helen Johns of Exeter was select­ ed as the Huron Progressive Con­ servative’s provincial candidate at a meeting in Exeter, Nov. 30. A political neophyte, Ms Johns defeated four other candidates, all with extensive municipal political experience or with a long associ- aiton to the PC party. While oppo­ nents Lawrence Beane, Tom Tomes, John Schenk and Howard Bureau wraps up campaign With the Christmas season upon us, the Huron County Christmas Bureau campaign draws to a close, very appreciative of the great effort put forth by many community groups and individuals. The staff and students of Goderich District Collegiate Insti­ tute collected 4,700 non-perishable food items during a cross-town food drive on Nov. 29. The food will not only go to families with children, but provide enough for food baskets to be distributed by the Goderich Salvation Army to Letter to the editor Continued from page 4 type offences and/or any violent act against a person would be prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm. 3. The federal government would work with the provinces to establish a system of mandatory training so that in the future no one is issued a firearm without proper training. 4. Make it mandatory to report all lost or stolen weapons. 5. Take measures to counter the illegal importation of banned and restricted guns into Canada. I applaud the measures announced in the Ministers undertaking with regards to the penalties and sentencing of those- convicted of crime particularly as it relates to crime committed with a firearm. However, I have major concerns on the matter of registration of all firearms and the intended confiscation of certain armament without compensation. Allow me to elaborate. Register or not to register The tactic employed by firearm prohibitionists of comparing firearms with automobiles as an argument in support of registration is not enlightening. Federal and provincial governments have never required that every driver in Canada constantly prove their "need" for a car and provide a rationale as to why they can't rely on public transit. Transport Canada has never introduced policies designed to reduce to an absolute minimum the number of motor vehicles in civilian hands. Automobile registration isn't feared, or even proposed, as the "first step" towards the confiscation of all privately-owned vehicles. Automobile registration is primarily a revenue generating tool. It's existence does little to prevent the theft of over 100,000 automobiles annually (over 25 per cent of which are never recovered) or ensure that vehicles will not be stolen and used for criminal purposes. The same would be true of firearm registration. Handguns have been very strictly regulated firearms in Canada since 1934. Legal ownership requires registration and a host of other bureaucratic obstacles, however, over half a century of unrelenting and increasing control has had no Armstrong delivered speeches that concentrated on how an elected Tory party would govern, Ms Johns' upbeat message focussed on the task of winning the riding in the upcoming election. "The (Huron) Conservatives have not elected a provincial member of parliament in 18 years. It is impera­ tive that we (nominate) a candidate needy people with no children at home. Bert Heeringa and the Goderich Canadian Tire Store donated $1,700 in toys, Zehrs in Goderich gave 5,000 candy canes towards the Giving Tree project, CKNX Radio collected food at the Wingham and Seaforth Santa Claus parades and many other groups, businesses and individuals donated both time and money to the Bureau. Joan Van den Broeck, acting vol­ unteer services co-ordinator says, mitigating effect on the use of this class of weapon in violent crime. It is an interesting paradox that the shotgun, one of the most numerous and least regulated firearm types in Canada, has historically been used less in homicide despite the fact that they are easier to obtain and considerably more lethal. Registration has no effect on the use of firearms in crimes of violence. In 1983, New Zealand abolished its registration system for rifles and scrapped a proposal to register shotguns after police determined that it was valueless as a crime control tool and diverted limited police resources from more important duties. Certain states in Australia are also considering dismantling their registration systems for similar reasons. "The reduction of police time spent on registration of firearms will allow more time for functioning within the community" New Zealand Police. Criminals and those with criminal intent don't register their firearms and don't purchase their guns from licensed gun dealers. They ignore mandatory waiting periods on firearm purchases, and have no need for Firearms Acquisition Certificates. This is precisely why our gun laws have been so ineffective at reducing violent crime. Requests for greater police "firepower" is testimony to their failure. There is no evidence anywhere to show that reducing the availability of firearms in general, likewise reduces their availability to persons with criminal intent, or that persons with criminal intent would not be able to arm themselves under any set of general restrictions on firearms. I conclude that the probable benefits of stricter gun control (itself a highly nebulous concept) in terms of crime reduction are at best uncertain, and at worst close to nil, and that most such measures would pose rather high social costs. For these and other reasons..., my view is that the prospects of ameliorating the problem of criminal violence through stricter controls over the civilian ownership, purchase, and use of firearms are dim. Paul Steckle, MP Huron-Bruce who can win this riding. I am that candidate," she said. Ms Johns said a strong candidate would be needed to win in Huron and she is prepared to travel throuhout the riding to gain voter support. Noting that half the electorate are under 45, the 41-year-oid financial consultant said She could relate to them, then added that she also "The generosity of the community is greatly appreciated and will allow the Bureau to meet its goals." Anyone wishing to make dona­ tions to the Huron County Christ­ mas Bureau can still do so though it is hoped the deliveries will begin this week, says Ms Van den Broeck. Cheques would be appreci­ ated at this time so that specific items can be purchased for the more than 1,000 children the bureau will help this Christmas. "We, at the Bureau, would like to extend hugs and Christmas wishes to all those who contributed to the drive this year," she says. The local drop-off sites are Knox Presbyterian Church in Goderich, Pentecostal Tabernacle in Exeter, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Wingham, Wesley-Willis United Church in Clinton or Bethel Bible Church in Seaforth. could relate to the concerns of seniors. Although it took four ballots to decide the winner, Ms Johns led from the first ballot to the last. She garnered 120 votes on the first, compared to 75 for Beane, 60 for Tomes and Schenk and 47 for Arm­ strong, a former Huron County warden who dropped out after the first ballot. Mr. Schenk, a former Wingham town councillor was eliminated on the second ballot after getting just 59 votes to Johns' 140, Beane's 75 and Tomes 60. Mr. Tomes, a former Huron SANTA'S COMING TO Scrimgeour's Food Market Saturday, Dec. 17 from 2-4 p.m. P.S. He will have treats for all the children so come and see him. county warden lasted until the third ballot when he garnered 88 votes, while Johns' total went to 171 and Beane's to 105. The final ballot split fairly even­ ly, but Johns was left with a com­ fortable margin of victory over Beane at 209 to 147. During her acceptance speech, Ms Johns asked the other candi­ dates to join her on stage and spoke about their contributions to the Tories. "As you can tell, I respect each of these men and will take what they've taught me into the elec­ tion." she said.