Regarding the character of William (Bruce) Montague ...

I felt compelled to write as a character reference for Bruce Montague, as I fear his opponents will seek to demonize him--making him into either a dangerous militant extremist, or a deranged psychopath. I assure you, he is neither. I have known Bruce for four years now, ever since becoming the pastor of the Dryden Area Lutheran Parish. Even though I personally struggle over the moral and theological grounds of Bruce's stand, I would like to see him receive a fair, impartial trial based on the merits of his case (unimpeded by any "character assassination").

Is Bruce a militant extremist? No. He enjoys hunting and competitive target shooting, but I have never heard him fantasizing about killing another human being. While he has, on the rare occasion, dressed up for military themed target shooting competitions--he does not glamorize or wish for war. Bruce has chosen a peaceful, non-violent course of civil disobedience, and has even distanced himself from those who have voiced the alternative.

Is Bruce a deranged psychopath? I hope not! I made him and Donna the Godparents of our youngest child! I know Bruce to be of sound mind and believe he holds the highest of morals and ideals. It is his heartfelt concern (on the basis of repeated history) that as citizens are forced to register their firearms, the government will systematically disarm them ... leading to a police or military state. This in turn, opens up a Pandora's Box for tyranny, persecution, and even extermination of selected groups of people (for a visual documentary of how this has actually happened, visit the JPFO website to get a copy of Innocents Betrayed).

Is Bruce perfect? Far from it. He's as human as the rest of us: opinionated, stubborn ... he can be a real pain in the lower backside; but I believe him to be a good man, an honest man, a family man, a man who loves his country, and I am not ashamed to call myself his friend.

Rev. Noel Smith. Dryden, ON