Mr. Speaker, let me say two things. First of all we were elected last year on a platform which did not include the restoration of capital punishment.
As recently as seven years ago the House debated capital punishment at length and on a free vote decided it should not be restored. That is the first observation.
Second, the hon. member speaks of consistency. I would ask him to be consistent. He has referred to the tragic case of last Thursday in which a police officer was shot to death. Preliminary indications are that the weapon used in that murder was a hand gun that was stolen from someone who owned it lawfully and had it registered. Now if that is not further indication of the need for gun control, I would like to hear what is.