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Should police impound cars if they find illegal handguns inside?

Year-to-date numbers show a 90 per cent jump in shooting related injuries from 40 in 2014 to 76 so far in 2015.
Year-to-date numbers show a 90 per cent jump in shooting related injuries from 40 in 2014 to 76 so far in 2015. GETTY IMAGES

TORONTO – A Liberal backbencher wants to give cops the power to impound a car if an illegal handgun is found in the vehicle.

Toronto MPP Mike Colle says his private members’ bill would also allow police to suspend the driver’s licence.

He says he hopes it would act as a deterrent, adding it’s almost impossible for police to get a conviction under the Criminal Code for anyone found to have an unlawful handgun in their vehicle.

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Colle says the federal government has jurisdiction over gun ownership, but the province has responsibility for road safety and vehicle licensing.

He says he’s received support for the bill from police forces and Toronto Crime Stoppers.

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But a private members’ bill rarely becomes law unless the government backs it.

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