Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police:
From their 
Position Paper on Gun Control Laws (1976):
   The CACP indicates that “. . . It must not be forgotten that violent  crime is also committed with stilletos [sic], butcher knives, chains,  hammers, and lead pipes to name but a few other instruments . . . It is  noteworthy that in the . . . categories which cover the gamut of crime  identified with violence and firearms, fundamentally these crimes could  have been committed as easily without firearms . . . It is essential to  note that in any of these categories those dedicated to the perpetration  of crime will not or cannot submit to any law and already disregard  existing legislation.” (CACP 1976: 2).
  The CACP acknowledges the deterrent effect of civilian gun ownership,  stating that “. . . Any restriction or control of firearms may in  effect lessen the safeguards of society . . . the peaceful users of  firearms would appear to out-number [sic] the criminals somewhere in the  proportion of 95 to 5. Firearms used properly are found among the  Police, the secret service and other law enforcement officers as well as  military personnel and those involved in commercial security and  probably the largest group may be found among sportsman and home owners  desiring increased protection . . . We will stipulate that alarms and  insurance go a long way in offering protection but they do not have the  deterrent effect of the firearm which, in the final analysis, may not  necessarily be used by its responsible owner. Its presence suffices.”  (CACP 1976: 3)
  The CACP rejects the notion that weapons cause crime, indicating that  “. . . Inanimate objects such as pistols, knives, axes or clubs do not  and cannot cause crime. They do not and they cannot supply the motive of  the impulse. The causes of crime must be sought elsewhere - in greed,  hatred, jealousy, and general moral depravity - and the remedy - if any  there be, is more likely to be found in morals and education in improved  Police methods of detection, and in the more prompt and certain  imposition of punishment. This is safeguarding society.” (CACP 1976: 4).  The CACP concludes that firearm registration is “. . . unrealistic and  administratively unworkable,” and that the “. . . registration of  firearms, serializing and licensing will not act [as] a deterrent to  violence and will not necessarily identify the person perpetrating the  crime."
  lifted from the CSSA' reference work 
For Their Own Good - Firearm Control in Canada 1946-1977