This group was established to help people find the on-line petition I launched on April 7, 2008.

My position on this issue is clear. Too many times I've visited neighbourhoods and spoken to family members victimized by gun violence.

And in some of those cases, the handguns used were at one time legally registered in Canada. This is unacceptable to me and it should be to all of us.

Is a ban on handguns the only solution? Of course not. I've never suggested it is.

I am proud that we have added 450 new police officers to the streets since I became Mayor. I was proud in late 2006 to stand beside Prime Minister Harper in Toronto and support his new tough-on-gun-crime initiatives that include reverse onus on bail.

I'm proud of the work we do in Toronto to address root causes of crime and that we invest in education and training for young people in Toronto's at-risk neighbourhoods.

However, lobbying for a handgun ban is something I promised, on Page 3 of my platform document, to do during the last election. And Torontonians gave me the mandate to follow through on that commitment.

This campaign’s centre-piece is an online petition posted on the City’s website (http://www.toronto.ca/handgunban) which will enable Canadians from coast to coast to coast to join the call for a Canada-wide handgun ban. A print-friendly version of the petition is also available on the website for individuals and groups that wish to canvas their neighbourhoods and workplaces.

I am also reaching out broadly though the Internet. A short video-clip stating the urgency of this action is posted on the City’s website and on YouTube.com seeking public support for the ban.

Toronto continues to face unacceptable incidents of gun violence. These cannot be fully addressed without a total ban on handguns. Handguns are designed for one purpose and that is to kill people and have no place in our society. Statistics show that in jurisdictions with gun bans, supply is limited and shootings are less common.

I call on Canadians, and especially Torontonians, to add their names to the petition and tell the federal government no more lives should be lost in this way.
I will personally deliver the petition to Parliament Hill in June.

Thank you for your support.

Mayor David Miller

**UPDATE**
Mayor Miller's motion was adopted by a 39-3 vote at Toronto City Council on April 28. View video of the mayor's Speech to Council at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkXUinvGFgU
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This group was established to help people find the on-line petition I launched on April 7, 2008.

My position on this issue is clear. Too many times I've visited neighbourhoods and spoken to family members victimized by gun violence.

And in some of those cases, the handguns used were at one time legally registered in Canada. This is unacceptable to me and it should be to all of us.

Is a ban on handguns the only solution? Of course not. I've never suggested it is.

I am proud that we have... (read more)