Creating Safer Communities
Alberta Liberal MLA Kent Hehr (Calgary-Buffalo) has firsthand knowledge of what it means to be a victim of crime.
Paralyzed as a young man by a drive-by shooting, Kent went on to become a lawyer and is now fighting for new regulations to protect Albertans from violent crime.
Though a brand new MLA, Kent is already considering a private member’s bill that aims to make it easier for police officers to seize vehicles that gang members are using to transport guns.
Kent’s idea, if passed into law, would cut down on gun proliferation among gangs by getting gunrunning vehicles off the streets.
For example, a police officer pulls over a vehicle, having reason to believe that the driver or other occupant has engaged in criminal activity. The officer then discovers guns in the vehicle – guns registered to someone who isn’t in the car.
Were Kent’s proposal to be made law, the officer could then immediately take possession of the car, robbing the gang members of the ability to transport and distribute dangerous weapons.
As a survivor of gun violence, Kent wants to be sure that other Albertans are protected from criminal activity. He hopes that all MLAs will support his motion and make Alberta’s streets safer.