Thank you for your question.
I'll come back to the basics. Street gang members already enjoy impunity in the current system. Minimum sentences exist and will be maintained for several types of crimes. Currently, these people enjoy impunity on social media. When we dig a bit, we find all kinds of statements and boasting by young people and members of criminal groups, who are already laughing at the justice system.
Lowering the standard for serious crimes such as possession and use of a firearm is like telling these young people that society doesn't find their actions to be particularly serious. It sugar-coats things and says to them that they'll receive just a slap on the wrist. That is already the feeling on the street.
For me, I'm a field police officer. I talk to young people. I live near the Saint-Michel neighbourhood, where there are a lot of shootings, so I can tell you that the feeling on the street is that the legal system is lenient and that adding another layer will not do anything. I don't think anyone will be opposed to abolishing minimum sentences for crimes against property. However, for serious crimes against the person, involving firearms or sexual assaults, society must send a message. The government must be responsible and make it clear that lawmakers will not tolerate such acts. It is a matter of protecting....