Editorial

I had the pleasure of meeting Bruce Montague while he was in Nova Scotia last year. One occasion was at a function in Stellarton, hosted by Al Muir, a CUFOA member and the other was in front of Province House in Halifax during a peaceful demonstration and information picket.

I found him to be a soft spoken man who could see the erosion of his rights and also his business as a result of Bill C-68 (Firearms Act).

He, and the other members of CUFOA had a singular purpose, to have one or more of them charged for an offence under the Firearms Act so they can appeal to the Supreme Court if necessary. To this end, they presented representatives of the various provincial governments with evidence of their high crimes of failing to register their legally acquired property. A Halifax Regional Police sergeant who attended was advised of these crimes and offered evidence of them while I was present but he also refused to act (so much for the faith the police have in this ill-begotten law).

A visit to PEI found, then Justice Minister, Wayne Easter in his constituency office and he also was presented evidence and requested he have them arrested under the Firearms Act if he believed in it. No such luck.

The Government knows this law will not stand the test of the Supreme Court even though it is a court appointed by the Liberals.

I find it strange that Bruce is being held in jail even though he presents no danger to anyone. Persons charged with violent crimes are let out quicker with no bail.

Not one Firearms Act charge has been laid against Bruce or Donna! This proves again the Liberals have wasted almost two billions of dollars to license less than a third of the owners and firearms. (the numbers were fudged so as not to reflect what a dismal failure it is and also in an attempt to show high compliance. The governments own estimates were dropped from 7 million gun owners with as many as 21 million guns to 2.5 million owners and 7 million firearms), and they do not have the faith it will stand under the scrutiny of the courts.

It took the police with a warrant 36 hours to search Bruce and Donna's home - something they could have done with Bruce's permission and assistance. One can only wonder at what kind of damage was done needlessly.

One has only to scan past issues of newspapers to see there are two laws here. Bruce is in jail awaiting bail for the paper crime of not registering or applying for a license. Police officers who negligently discharge their firearms in buildings or leave them around to be stolen, even worse shooting and killing a fellow officer are still walking the streets, no charges, no jail. This is an outrage which the media and public should be screaming about.

Jim Hill, RCMP, ret.
Fletchers Lake, NS

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