(Warning: I know this is going to generate 50 comments from angry right wingers)

I’m in shock. Paul Martin has come out with a policy that is:
a) bold
b) smart
c) politically savvy

I was beginning to worry that the entire Liberal platform would consist of extending current policies to 2030 and re-announcing projects which had already been re-announced in various Ralph Goodale budgets. But it looks like Martin actually has something new to say – he’s proposing a complete ban on handguns. This one really caught me off guard, especially since Grant Mitchell had floated the idea about weakening the gun registry at one of his “made in Alberta” policy sessions last month.

Gun control has always been one of the issues that drove me towards the Liberal Party. I support the gun registry and would probably support a complete ban on all guns within major city limits if anyone ever proposed that. So this is a policy I can really get behind and I think a lot of Canadians in big cities, especially Toronto, will strongly support it.

The fact of the mater is, there is no reason for anyone to own a handgun that won’t be covered by an exception to this law (ie. police officers and target shooters). There’s a reason that I’m not allowed to own a collection of antique grenade launchers. There’s a reason I can’t own an assault riffle to hunt rabbits in my backyard. And the same principle should apply to hand guns.

Yes, I’m aware this won’t affect a ton of people. And I’m aware this won’t stop gun violence in Toronto. But it’s a good start and, unlike most of the policies announced so far this campaign, I really don’t see a downside to it.