Thu - Feb 22/18

Hot and humid again today and for the next week.

It didn't rain. The car is just covered with dew and this is after driving half a mile.

I dropped Charlotte off at the MPR. Everyone was talking about having no internet service yesterday. The main area provider had a problem.

I went to do the laundry. I only had to wait a few minutes for these washers to be unloaded before I "Ladybugged" them. I "Sprayed and Washed", poured bleach into the "Whites" washer and started the wash.

I went to the Florida Room (aka Library) to connect the computer to the Wi-Fi and do the usual e-Mail, banking and anti-virus updates and scans. I set my iPhone alarm to for 20 minutes. The washers take about a half hour to complete the cycle. When it went off I returned to place the laundry into the dryers.

I then returned to the Florida Room (overlooks the pool) and re-set the alarm for another half hour. The dryers run for 45 minutes; however they are very hot (on high). This will give me the chance to take out the dry clothes and swap the heavy clothes (jeans, etc.) into the emptied dryer(s) to help them dry before time runs out.

As the heavy clothes finish I fold the dry clothes and hang up the permanent press.

I then stopped back at the MPR to check on Charlotte's progress. She was stuffing the "Florence the Flamingo" parts while talking about projects with Martha.

Charlotte gave Martha the pattern for the Bibs she had just completed. The bibs are reversible with a different pattern on the other side. This feature helps me fashion co-ordinate as I tend to "wear my food". (grin)

Back at the motorhome we unpacked all. We decided, due to the heat, we will enjoy the A/C in the RV and watch TV. Notice the proliferation of alliteration in the last sentence, EH? (another grin)

Meanwhile back at the gun issue from a Canadian perspective:

Whenever Americans discuss gun control, it’s only natural that they look to the policies of their much less (7 times lower) bullet-riddled northern neighbour. We are not immune and have had mass shootings.

Virtually every gun used in an American mass shooting is legally available for purchase in Canada. Despite this, Canada doesn’t come close to suffering the same rate of mass shootings as the United States.

Here are some of the differences: The Firearms Act is a Federal Law and applies throughout Canada.

Canadian law classifies firearms into 3 categories: 

     -  Prohibited: military-grade assault weapons (such as AK-47, sawn-off rifles or shotguns)

     -  Restricted: Handguns. (if the barrel is shorter than 4.1" it is Prohibited) AR-15 and some similar rifles. 

     -  Non-restricted: Rifles and shotguns. (Includes some semi-automatic rifles)

Nobody (18 years of age or older) legally buys a gun in Canada without first successfully completing the Canadian Firearms Safety Course. If using to hunt an additional "Hunting with Firearms" course is required. Then, they have to submit an application for a Possession and Acquistion Licence (PAL), where they’re screened by the RCMP for risk factors such as criminal history and mental health. A background checks, personal references and a mandatory waiting period are also required. All of the shootings in this list involve what Canada classifies as “restricted firearms”: Handguns and many types of semi-automatic rifles that can only be legally owned for the purposes of target shooting. With very few exceptions, private firearms are not sold as “weapons” in Canada. The only legal reason for owning a firearm in Canada is as a tool to kill animals or as a piece of sporting equipment to shoot paper targets. This is in sharp contrast to the United States, where gun ownership is closely correlated with self-defense.

In Canada:

     -  a licence is good for 5 years and must be renewed before expiry to maintain.

     -  gun ownership is a privilege - not a right.

     -  you can only legally buy firearms from a licensed seller (not at a Flea Market, Gun Show or from family or friends). (California has the strictest laws - similar to Canada).

    -  magazine sizes allowed for semi-automatic guns are also limited. (e.g. 5 round clips). 

     -  Bump Stocks are not allowed.

     -  gun owners are uniformly monitored across Canada by the RCMP. (The Mounties require very few excuses to suspend a firearm licence.)

     -  Canadian law enforcement requires much less evidence to place a citizen under a "Peace Bond" which denies them access to weapons.

     -  Suppressors (gunshot sound silencers) are prohibited.

     -  Conversion (to increase firing speed) is prohibited.

     -  Replicas (even if non-operative) are prohibited.

     -  Stock Reduction (shortening the stock) is prohibited.

     -  Barrel Shortening is prohibited.

     -  Ammunition Clips (limited in capacity - 5 rounds (most rifles), 10 rounds (most handguns)

     -  Ammunition Type (Armour piercing, incendiary, chemical, explosive, etc.) is prohibited.

     -  Ammunition (dozens of regulations cover the Quantity and Storage)

Basically, it is just a matter of the collective attitude.

Coming to Canada:

  -  Americans entering Canada must declare their firearm otherwise it will be confiscated and probably destroyed. The firearm must meet Canadian regulations. If it is not allowed in Canada it cannot enter Canada. (This includes certain types of knives, as well). Main border crossings often have the ability to store these legally owned weapons not allowed in Canada until the owner returns to the USA. If not declared a fine may be assessed. A jail term is also possible. Seized weapons are never returned. The easiest method: (especially for hunters) is to ship (with proper documentation) by accredited commercial carrier to your destination.

 -   a Non-Resident Firearms Declaration must be filled out (triplicate) and presented unsigned. The signature must be witnessed by a Customs Agent at the first point of entry into Canada. This form is valid for 60 days but can be renewed (before expiry) at no cost.

 -  In general, Americans (18 years of age) are allow to bring (or transport through) up to 3 guns as long as the proper forms are filled out and fees are paid. The must prove ownership and provide an acceptable reason for bringing the weapon(s) into Canada. They must be safely stored for travel.

(I apologize: the above is a result of having too much time on my hands this afternoon).

Charlotte continued stuffing "Florence".

It will be the usual Jeopardy TV evening. If something else comes up I will included it; however since I can connect (at the moment) to the internet from the RV (thanks to Stu) I will publish the blog at this time.