Bang Bang!

 When you think of Canadian Tire, things that come to mind might include wholesome childhood memories of trips there with parents, their precious proprietary currency that is a complete novelty to anyone not from here, or just the fact that they are a Canuck staple.

But the automotive, hardware and home goods chain is the latest homegrown brand to be targeted with a boycott in recent days over one location's sponsorship of an event in small-town New Brunswick that many found to be problematic.

The Canadian Tire logo was spotted on a flyer for a women's shooting event, prompting outrage from some who hadn't realized that the store sold guns or, as others are saying, "supported gun culture" in the community.

Guns are indeed sold in the store's hunting section, along with camouflage apparel, scopes, knives and tools, and other such accessories. (I got my first BB gun from Canadian Tire!)

As stated on the Canadian Tire website, "stores practice strict security measures relating to carrying, storing and selling firearms. Only specially licensed personnel handles and sells firearms at the stores." (Firearms and ammunition are only sold to individuals who hold a valid - 'hard to get' - license.)

What if the USA and Canadian border opened up!

 Allan:

What if the USA and Canada border opened just like the Schengen area. (European free travel areas)

Daniel Fraser

Millions of poor Americans would flood into Canada to get what they feel is free medical care and this would destroy what is a finely balanced system. One that maintains just enough capacity to serve Canadian needs.

Before such a thing can happen the USA has to bring its healthcare payment system up to modern first-world standards, provide universal health care, modernization its gun laws, pay a decent wage to low-income people and a number of other things.

You may not realize it but to join the Schengen area a country has to meet certain standards which the USA does not meet.

Basically, from the Canadian viewpoint, the USA is not good enough in the way it treats its people. But our government does not say this out loud as it is none of our business to point this out or to suggest that the USA changes its ways. Such change has to come from within.

Daniel Fraser

***

Allan:

What are Canadian's thoughts about the events that happened in the USA on January 6th?

Gareth Jones

Honestly, I have a mixture of thoughts.

First, the US is an uncomfortable neighbour to have at the best of times. It ignores its neighbour’s best interests, insists on its own, and has certain demands when it gets riled up. But a US that’s off the rails is too big for any force in the world to put right except for the American people themselves. Can they do it? Can they force themselves to make the hard decisions—for example, going after a former president and, if warranted, put him in jail? Or will they let him off the way those rich people who caused the last two worldwide recessions were let off? What message would this send?

Second, the events of today weren’t as bad as they could have been. If Trump had ordered in the National Guard instead of Pence, he could have set them around the Capitol, leaving the mob inside, maybe for days, speaking of the need to understand their anger. And leaving the Senate and House unable to sit to confirm the Electoral Votes. Maybe guard a few key figures for their own good, keeping them in their homes. That should put off matters till the 20th, and who knows how many more supporters he could attract into the streets by then.

Third, Trump has till the 20th. He could be removed tomorrow if the will were there, and the US would be safer. As Mary Trump warned months ago (and she’s been right in her other predictions), if Trump realizes that he’s going down, he’s going to take the rest of us down with him. You’ve got a wrecker in the Oval Office.

Fourth, Trump was put into office by a basket of deplorables constituting maybe half of the Republican voters. That’s the figure Hillary Clinton fixed, half. My estimate varies, but it’s often higher. These people are not going away, and they’re going to be mollycoddled, and they’re going to remain a danger to the US and, through it, to Canada.

To borrow a phrase that originated in another continent: cry, the beloved country. I’m anxious both for you and about you.

Gareth Jones

***

Allan:

How do Canadians view the U.S. gun culture?

Brett Williams

I grew up on a ranch, in an area with a decent number of black bears and coyotes, a few cougars and grizzly bears, and a lot of varmint creatures like skunks, raccoons, and gophers.

I was taught how to use both pistols and rifles by my dad, and I have a huge amount of respect for responsible gun handling.

Since this is specifically about the US gun culture, I think that there is far too much ignoring of responsibilities. Your politicians appear in ads where they are carelessly pointing weapons at people. It’s socially acceptable to appear in public brandishing the variants of the .223/5.56 mm AR 15 in quick response slings. It’s socially acceptable to conceal-carry hair-trigger semi-auto handguns loose in a purse.

I think American gun laws would be acceptable if Americans had a gun culture that emphasized responsibility and shunned those who were irresponsible and careless.

The most recent example is Brian Kemp in Georgia

This idiot shouldn't be elected dogcatcher but has an NRA A+ rating as a candidate for Governor of Georgia. That right there is American gun culture in a nutshell.

I went over this to point out the major and minor safety violations.

1. 5 Alarm Kaxon (IE get your ass kicked off the gun range and banned)
1. AR15 style with short magazines leaning against the wall.
2. single barrel shotgun leaning against the chair
3. two people handling guns facing each other
4. Kemp has his finger near the trigger
5. Kemp pointing the double-barrelled shotgun at the boy
6. Kemp closes the chamber on the shotgun while pointing it at the boy
2. Really bad practice
1. Three Single-shot or internal magazine rifles with closed bolts laid on the table
2. No trigger locks on a variety of loose guns stored improperly.

Brett Williams