Don't Blame U.S. For Toronto Gun Crime

Canada's largest city has seen a startling jump in gun-related deaths - 37 so far this year, 10 more than for all of 2004. The killings prompted a series of raids that resulted in 40 arrests Thursday and more than 1,000 gun and drug charges in Toronto. The raids were aimed at bringing down a street gang known as the Ardwick Blood Crew and covered a range of alleged crimes, including attempted murder and firearms trafficking. Ontario politicians, fearing a public backlash over the increased gunplay on Toronto's streets, have attempted to shift the blame south of the border. Premier Dalton McGuinty repeatedly decries "American guns on Canadian streets" and Toronto police chief Bill Blair says half the weapons used by criminals are smuggled from the U.S. It's an understandable reaction, says Wilkins. "I've been in politics a long time," said the former speaker of the South Carolina state senate. "I understand it's easier to point the finger at somebody else when times are tough." He said law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border are working together to crack down on gun violence. U.S. agents are helping with Canadian investigations, are using their technology to trace guns and track bullets, and have offered high-tech tools to the RCMP. The U.S. is also opening a small office of its Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Agency in Toronto. "We are working hard with Canadian officials," Wilkins said. "And the Canadian officials I talk to - the law-enforcement folks - tell me, 'We appreciate your help,' " he said. In a lengthy interview, Wilkins repeatedly stressed what he called a solid friendship between the two countries and said he was deeply moved by Canadians' prompt response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster. http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2005/09/15/pf-1218800.html [Proofreader's note: this article was edited for spelling and typos on September 18, 2005]

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