When I was reviewing some material for my presentation today, I came across one article on interviews with armed robbers in Australia. The robbers told the interviewer they had indeed been aware of the varying penalties associated with carrying a firearm. Interestingly enough, it hadn't had an impact on their behaviour, and they said it wouldn't have an impact on their behaviour in the future. So the robber who had carried a gun to commit an armed robbery, and who went to jail fully aware of the increased penalty because of the fact that he carried a gun, intended to carry a gun the next time he committed a robbery.
Again, we're talking about the prolific offender, the 2% or 3% who are anti-social, and who have a variety of reasons for why they are anti-social, versus the other 98% or 97%. Now, some of those people in the 97th percentile may commit crimes and the deterrent impact of the sentencing that you're proposing would probably have an impact on them, because they're not at the same level of anti-social behaviour as the 2% or 3%. So there would be some deterrence in the rest of the crowd—not so much in the 2% or 3%. As I said earlier, the incapacitation component speaks for itself.
As far as the victim's feelings, voice, and preferences are concerned, I think that shortly after being victimized there would be a sense of revenge, a sense of wanting to see this person punished. My thought, though, is that over a longer period of time, particularly if there were a positive intervention for the victim, as our crime reduction strategy would have, you would see a greater understanding and perhaps less of a desire to see that punishment or revenge.
I'm speaking on my own behalf now. This is not an RCMP position; this is my position.