Tighter laws tough sell as Canada faces rise in shootings

TORONTO - Rising violence in Canada has prompted calls for the federal government to tighten gun laws but tougher regulations could cause a political backlash in a country where 2 million people are licensed to own a firearm.

In 2016, 223 people were murdered with a gun, a 23 percent increase from 2015 and the highest rate since 2005, according to Statistics Canada.

One of the deadliest shooting sprees so far this year took place on Friday when four people were shot to death in Fredericton. Weeks earlier, a gunman opened fire on a bustling street in Toronto, killing two and injuring 13 before turning the gun on himself.