A member of the Orillia Police Services Board wants to stop gun violence before it reaches the city.

Ralph Cipolla introduced the motion that calls on federal, provincial, and municipal governments as well as other police services boards to address the issue of gun violence in Ontario.

The resolution calls for a minimum five-year sentence for possession of an illegal firearm and seven to 10 years when the weapon is used in an act of a crime.

Cipolla says with the growing problem of guns in big cities like Toronto, it will only be a matter of time when it starts to infiltrate smaller communities.

He says there are people trafficking drugs in this region and guns tend to follow the drug trade.

Cipolla says there is also gang activity happening in our communities but you don't know it because it is rarely reported.

He says there are areas where graffiti occurs and that is done by gangs.

Cipolla says the resolution he put forth is meant as a preventive measure.

He says you have to cut it off before something serious happens like someone getting killed.

Cipolla says the federal government needs to look at the issue really hard.