Combat Shooting as a Demonstration Sport

at the 2004 Olympic Games

The Board of Health reports having adopted the following motion, and recommends that Council endorse the action taken by the Board:

WHEREAS several of the former Boards of Health passed resolutions in support of gun control legislation; and

WHEREAS the International Olympic Committee's goals include "the education value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethnical principles" and "encouraging the establishment of a peaceful society, concerned with the preservation of human dignity"; and

WHEREAS the gun lobby's interest is to oppose gun control by promoting combat shooting as a 'sport'; and

WHEREAS the links between combat shooting and real violence have been demonstrated in places like Jonesboro, Arkansas where 11-year-old Andrew Golden, one of the shooters in the school massacre, had learned combat shooting from his father;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Health indicate to the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Toronto Bid Committee and the International Olympic Committee in the strongest possible terms its opposition to permitting combat (or Practical) shooting as a demonstration sport for the 2004 Olympics or any future Olympics; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this motion be forward to Toronto City Council and local Ontario Boards of Health for further endorsement; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Board of Health, in consultation with the Coalition for Gun Control and other appropriate groups, direct staff to review its current activities with respect to gun violence and to develop strategies for further action.

--------

The Board of Health reports, for the information of Council, having had before it a communication (July 28, 1999) from Councillor Joe Mihevc, York Eglinton, forwarding a press release respecting Combat Shooting as a Demonstration Sport at the 2004 Olympic Games and thereafter; and advising of his intention to move that the Board of Health voice its opposition to the sport of Combat Shooting and that the appropriate organizations be so notified; and having also had before it additional documentation submitted by Councillor Mihevc.

Ms. Wendy Cukier, Chair, Canadian Coalition on Gun Control, appeared before the Board of Health in connection with the foregoing matter.

(A copy of each of the submissions referred to in the foregoing Clause has been forwarded to all Members of Council, and a copy thereof is on file in the office of the City Clerk.)