Commentary
Canadians are worried about being victimized by violent criminals, according to a national survey recently released by the Canadian government. Unlike Americans, Canadians often lack the means to defend themselves against unprovoked attacks by strangers or in violent home invasions, even though the controversial law permits a robust self defence.
Both Canada and the United States inherited the right to bear arms found in the English Magna Carta of 1689, but, despite this common heritage, their paths diverged widely since their founding. While the American Constitution protects the right to bear arms, Canadian elites effectively surrendered this basic right. Canadian elites gradually abandoned their duty to uphold the basic rights outlined in the Magna Carta, despite widespread popular support for the right to bear arms. This summary is drawn from a series of articles published in the Dorchester Review….