News Release
					Feb. 9, 1995
Justice 95-052

_POLL SAYS REGISTERING MORE GUNS WILL NOT DECREASE CRIME_

Justice Minister Bob Mitchell today released results of polling conducted in
January on the changes to gun control proposed by the federal government.

"The results confirm that the concerns the public has about proposed gun
controls are consistent with the concerns I have been expressing since last
summer," Mitchell said.

"For example, more than 86 per cent of the people polled in Jauary said 
that expanding the registration of firearms will not decrease crime.  If the
mere 12.2 per cent who said that expanding registration will cause a 
decrease in crime, nearly half (45.9 per cent) do not believe that
supporting a gun registry is the best way to use money for crime control.

"I support federal proposals that call for stiffer penalties for criminals
who use guns in committing an offence and proposals designed to curb
smuggling.  Otherwise, I am pleased to note that almost 75 per cent of the 
people polled agree that there should be an evaluation of our current gun
control laws before further changes are made."

The survey questions on gun control were part of an omnibus poll conducted 
on behalf of the government in January.  Complete polling results for the 
first quarter of 1995 will be released in April.

For more information, contact:
Lisa Ann Wood
Justice
Regina
(306) 787-7872



_SUMMARY OF RESULTS OF JANUARY/95 POLLING QUESTIONS ON GUN CONTROL_

Consistent with the characteristics of the Saskatchewan adult 
population, 49.6% of those polled are female and 50.5% are
classified as urban residents.  47% of those surveyed do not own
firearms.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED FEDERAL CHANGES TO GUN CONTROL LAWS

Of the 91.6% of poll respondents who are aware that the federal
government is proposing changes to gun control laws:

* 	almost one quarter (24.9%) said the proposed changes would be
	negative in some way
*	10.1% said the changes would have no effect
*	almost one-quarter (24.2%) do not know what effect the 
	proposed changes would have
*	only 9.0% said the changes would have a positive effect

EFFECT OF PORPOSED CHANGES ON SURVEY RESPONDENTS & THEIR FAMILIES

*	nearly two-thirds (63%) said no effect
*	30.3% said a negative effect
*	Only 5.5% said a positive effect (just over half of these 5.5%
	said the positive effect would be reduced crime)

EFFECT OF INCREASED FIREARMS REGISTRATION UPON CRIME

*	86.4% said it would not cause a decrease in crime
*	12.2% said it would cause a decrease in crime, but had mixed
	views as to whether a firearms registry is the best use of 
	money to control crime (45.9% said it would be, 39.3% said no)

EFFECTIVENESS OF CURRENT GUN CONTROL LAWS

*	61.2% said current gun control laws are about right
*	23.1% said they are not restrictive enough
*	7.3% said current laws are too restrictive

*	78.1% agree with the view that the laws should recognize the
	difference between someone possessing a firearm for criminal
	intent and a sprotsman or licensed hunter wishing to purchase
	a rifle
*	11.9% agree with the view that all firearms should be 
	extremely limited and regulated
*	7.1% agree with both of these views

NEED FOR EVALUATION OF CURRENT FIREARMS LAWS

*	73.2% support an evaluation of current firearms laws before
	changes are made
*	24.3% do not support an evaluation before changes are made