Department of Justice - Criminal Justice System Costs

The present study provides estimates of the economic and social costs of firearm-related crime in Canada. In this study, firearm-related crime is defined as crime committed with a firearm present or used during the commission of an offence, of which all are considered violent crimes. The impact of firearm-related crime can be both wide-ranging and long-lasting as it directs a society's resources to address the problem and causes unquantifiable pain and suffering to victims and their family members. Examining the financial impact is not a new approach in understanding crime. An understanding of the economic costs of crime can lead to important insights and policy decisions, both in terms of criminal justice policy and in terms of other social problems that compete with crime for government funding and resources.