Firearms and violent crime in Canada, 2012 - ARCHIVED

This Juristat article examines the nature and prevalence of firearm-related violent crime in Canada. Short-term trends in firearm-related violent crime are presented at the national, provincial/territorial and census metropolitan area levels, while long-term trends in firearm-related homicide are also explored. Using data from the 2012 Uniform Crime Reporting and Homicide Surveys, this article provides information on violent crime involving firearms in Canada, including international comparisons and an examination of the types of firearms (such as handguns, rifles, or shotguns) which are most commonly involved in firearm-related violent crime. It also addresses characteristics of the incidents, victims, and accused persons, such as gang-related violence, accused-victim relationships, clearance status, age of victims and accused persons, and types of offence that most commonly involve firearms.