Okay. Thanks.
Once again, I believe the information that you supplied in these tables is useful. I agree that maybe it doesn't apply directly to Bill C-35 , which we're talking about, but I think these are things we need to know.
Also, it suggests that the costs revolving around a victim are difficult to measure in dollars and cents. I've seen what the results of a tragedy in violent crime can do to victims, and it doesn't amount in pennies and dollars; it amounts in a long-term tragic situation.
One witness said that if you commit a crime with a gun, the practice is that you won't get out on bail. But I have talked to police officers personally, and they know of several who have been released on bail. They know of them, and I happen to know of some. So if you talk to the people who make the arrests, they know pretty well what goes on in these things. Yes, it is happening, and so I think the legislation is necessary.
I also have a private member's bill to include all violent crimes, not just guns. I want knives and everything to be included. I've also been told there would be a fairly good chance that the bill would not pass the charter test. I find it very amazing to be told that, but I have been told that.
But what I want to point out is, once again, the one statistic we have is that a person has committed a violent crime with a gun. That person is under arrest and in jail. He has shown that he's capable of doing that very crime. You don't take a chance. You simply don't take a chance. It's just like a dog; if he bites, you leash him up. You don't take a chance that he'll bite again, because he might. He might not, but you don't take the chance.
I'm just wondering if you agree that this would simply be a statistic that indicates, yes, you've been arrested and charged with committing this crime, you've done it once, and that's enough for me. I know some of my colleagues over there would think that's ridiculous, but I'm sorry, once is good enough for me. That person won't get another gun if I can help it.
I wonder if you agree with that scenario.