‘A 9mm wouldn’t be a bad idea’: PC leader wants armed guards at Queen’s Park

TORONTO – The interim leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative is urging the provincial government to investigate arming the guards at Queen’s Park.

“I don’t mean being armed to the nines as one of the ministers said, but a 9 mm wouldn’t be a bad idea,” Jim Wilson said.

“You’re not going to do it in every building in the world, but certain buildings are more of a target than others: this is the symbolic heart of democracy here in Ontario, as the parliament buildings are for the country.”

The Ontario government will be fast-tracking a routine review of security at the Ontario legislature after a man shot and killed Cpl. Nathan Cirillo who was guarding the War Memorial in Ottawa Wednesday before storming Parliament, and getting close to where the federal political parties were holding caucus meetings.

READ MORE: What we know about suspected shooter Michael Zehaf-Bibeau

But during day-to-day operations, there are no armed guards at Queen’s Park.

That’s just not good enough, Wilson said.

“I guess they’re supposed to be bullet-catchers, because they certainly can’t respond appropriately right now unless they’re armed,” he said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I guess they're supposed to be bullet-catchers, because they certainly can't respond appropriately right now unless they're armed," he said.

The review will include members of all three parties, the Sergeant-At-Arms for the Ontario legislature and security personnel.

Follow our live blog here for the latest updates

A previous review identified proper ingress and egress procedures throughout the building and led to the installation of metal detectors on the 4^th floor of the building.

House Speaker Dave Levac was at those meetings and said his recommendation for metal detectors throughout the building was not approved.

“My concern was based on all members in this place. Everybody, staff, visitors, members,” Levac said.

Right now, there are no armed guards at Ontario Legislature. Instead, the guards are equipped with handcuffs and a baton.

READ MORE: “We shouldn’t be hiding” — Toronto soldiers clear to wear uniforms in public, army says

The Sergeant-At-Arms Dennis Clark said Wednesday there are currently no plans to arm guards at Queen’s Park.

There is a Memorandum of Understanding between the province and the Toronto Police Service that the police will provide security during times of heightened awareness.