Canadia's single minded focus on guns is misplaced, reports the Edmunton Sun. Statistically speaking, knives are a much bigger threat to Canadians.

"This year we've had 23 homicides, and 10 were a result of stabbings," said Edmonton Police Service spokesman Karen Carlson. "Eight of the deaths were shootings. Four were assaults, and one cause of death is unknown."

Last year, it was a similar sad story.

"Last year we had 28 homicides, half of which were as a result of stabbings," said Carlson. "Nine were shootings, four were assaults and one was undetermined."

So deaths by stabbing outnumber gun deaths. There is even more disparity in the numbers of attacks.

A check with Edmonton's Emergency Response Department paints an even grimmer picture. So far this year, paramedics have responded to 259 reports of stabbings - some of which involved more than one victim. Of all those calls so far this year, ambulances were cancelled in 86 instances. Still, that leaves us with EMS having had to respond to 173 stabbings - and the year is only half over!

Scanning through the Sun's electronic news archives is a real eye-opener. Almost every day there's a story about one person or more being stabbed. It's a true epidemic.

The amount of gun crime pales by comparison.

Don't worry though. After all the guns are rounded up, knives are sure to be next on the list. Just ask the Britons.