In the wake of Friday’s deadly shooting in Fredericton, Canada’s minister of border security and organized crime reduction says Ottawa is willing to consider any possible measures that might reduce gun violence.
But Bill Blair says there is no single solution to the issue.
READ MORE: Alleged Fredericton gunman had firearms licence, gun was legally obtainable
Speaking on Wednesday at the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police conference in Halifax, Blair says it involves changing the social conditions under which gun violence occurs.
Canada’s police chiefs say in light of recent gun-related tragedies in Fredericton and in other cities across the country they are striking a committee to analyze data related to gun violence.
The association says it wants to come up with evidence-based recommendations to help combat the problem.
Vancouver Police Chief Adam Palmer, the newly elected president of the association, says while gun violence “ebbs and flows” across the country, the chiefs believe there has been a spike in illegal firearm use over the past year.
Palmer says Canada’s current gun control regime is “actually very good” and the association is not calling for any wholesale legislative changes related to gun violence.
He says the issue isn’t law-abiding people who want to possess firearms, but rather people who are involved in criminal activity who obtain guns through illegal means.
Palmer says of particular concern is a resurgence of lower-level street gangs he says are becoming “quite violent.”
WATCH: Fredericton police confirm that shooter had license to carry a long gun
Fredericton police Chief Leanne Fitch has said the long gun investigators believe was used in the attack is commonly available for purchase, and is not a prohibited or restricted weapon.
Fitch has repeatedly urged the public to be patient, saying the police investigation is active and is focused on finding facts.
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