TORONTO – Firearm-related homicides have increased by 37% over the past 11 years, and guns have been the most commonly used weapon in such crimes. To detect this alarming situation, despite the fact that there are data gaps in information collection, is a report by Statistics Canada that examines the trends of armed crime in Canada between 2009 and 2020. 

The study found that the percentage of homicides in which a firearm was used increased from 26% in 2013 to 37% in 2020 and that guns were the weapon of choice in 59% of firearm-related crimes. “Violent crimes associated with firearms typically account for less than three percent of violent crimes reported by police in Canada, however, it has a significant emotional and physical impact on victims, families and communities. In addition, rates of gun-related violence have seen a general increase in recent years.”

About six percent of gun crimes were linked to gang violence. “Although firearms are present in a minority of crimes, the rate of violent gun-related crimes has increased in recent years,” the report said.

A previous report by Statistics Canada stated that the use of weapons in violent crimes from 2009 to 2019 increased by 81%. In addition, a July 2021 report by the agency found that there were 8,344 victims of violent crimes in which weapons were used.

The new report warns, however, that there are gaps in the data in which weapons are used, including the type of firearms, ownership and custody. “Of particular concern is that little information is currently available to determine the origin of the firearms used in the crime: for example, whether a weapon used in a crime has been stolen, illegally purchased or smuggled into the country. This information is sometimes not recorded by the police, it is recorded inconsistently or, in some cases, the information is simply not available.” The consequence is that not all guns are available for tracking.

According to the report, guns were involved in about 75% of violent robberies and 60% of murders and other violations that resulted in death and attempted murder. In 2020 and guns were also present in 54% in sexual offenses and in 51% in specific violent crimes with firearms.

As for the victims in 2020, 743 people lost their lives at the hands of someone, of which 277 were killed using a pistol.

The victims of crimes carried out with firearms during the first year of the pandemic were 8,344, an unchanged figure compared to 2019.

In addition, gun crime rates in 2020 were highest in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Territories, the cities with the highest percentage of armed crimes were Regina, Brantford, Toronto, Saskatoon, Winnipeg and Windsor. “It is worth noting that Toronto recorded a relatively low rate of violent gun-related crimes, but these firearm-related crimes accounted for a relatively high percentage of all violent crimes,” the report said.

Firearm crimes, he said, were mostly high in rural areas compared to urban areas, which can be attributed to a number of reasons, including increased ownership of firearms. According to the StatCan study, firearms are usually used in hunting or farming and are available “when a crime is committed.”

Men were 67% of those affected by armed violence, although more women were killed in rural areas: most of the victims were between the ages of 18 and 24. According to the report, “one in four women who was the victim of a violent gun-related crime in 2020 perpetrated by their current or previous spouse or other intimate partner, compared to 2% of men.”