Firearm murders down in Canada: StatsCan

OTTAWA – The number of murders committed using firearms in Canada has dropped considerably for the first time since 2002, new figures suggest.

The latest homicide study released Tuesday by Statistics Canada shows there were 179 firearm murders in 2009, 21 fewer than in the previous year.

This marks a 12 per cent decline, "reversing an upward trend recorded between 2002 and 2008," according to the agency.

Of the 253 firearms used to commit murder between 2005 and 2009, 69 per cent were found not to be registered with the Canadian Firearms Registry, while 31 per cent were.

During the five-year period, police were able to determine the ownership of the firearm in 212 homicides. In nearly half the cases, the gun was owned by the accused.

According to the study, homicide rates across the country are stable with 610 reported in 2009. Gang-related murders dropped 10 per cent from the previous year but still accounted for one in five homicides in 2009.

Stabbings were the most common form of homicide in 2009 and, as in previous years, a "large majority" of victims knew their assailants.

Manitoba had the highest homicide rate for the third year in a row, followed by Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Alberta.

Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador had the lowest rates.

The study suggests a significant spike in the number of youth aged 12-17 accused of murder. In 2009, 78 teens were charged, 23 more than the previous year.

"It was the second-highest rate per 100,000 youth in over 30 years," the study found.

Police also reported a slight increase in spousal homicides. Figures suggest there were 65 in 2009, up three from the previous year.