"Policy-makers have to listen to community groups, grassroots activists, church leaders and social agencies that know these kids and have programs that work. Treating them like pesky supplicants, who fail to understand the need to balance the budget, will produce a much bigger deficit — one that goes far beyond dollars — down the road."
Full article: Scarborough shooting a missed opportunity to rethink tough on-crime approach.
The Star's Joe Fiorito talking to James Sheptycki: "He said, “We’re not talking to these young men, the ones who have the world view that makes it ‘sensible’ to shoot other people. How can we change the mindset if we don’t talk to them? Let’s try to understand the subculture.”"
Fiorito: What we should ask about the Scarborough shooting
And The Star arguing for a ban on handguns:
"Collectors and pistol enthusiasts complain such a ban, delivered under a mandatory federal buyback program, would end their freedom to pursue a handgun hobby. They’re right. But balanced against that is the freedom of innocent people to enjoy life without being cut down in a hail of pistol bullets.
"That’s what killed Shyanne Charles, a generous and happy 14-year-old with a love of sports and music who happened to attend the Scarborough block party Monday night. No one’s pistol collection is worth that. If even one promising life like Shyanne’s, brimming with hope and potential, can be spared by outlawing privately owned handguns, a ban should be put into effect as quickly as possible."
Toronto shooting spree shows need for a handgun ban
