To the editor:

When the proceeds of crime bill first presented itself in this province, many people thought it was a great idea. The legislation, as we understood it, would strip drug lords and organized crime of their ill-gotten wealth.

But now the provincial government has turned criminal itself, and is using this legislation to decimate a peaceful citizen and his family. Bruce Montague's "crime" was opposing the current gun laws by refusing to comply onerous paperwork requirements. He started a charter challenge to have the laws re-examined. In response, the authorities sentenced him to 18 months in prison. Then they moved to seize his home and his life savings, effectively threatening to put his wife and kids on the street.

Some people disagree with firearms ownership. Fine. But everyone should recognize the outrageous potential this legislation has if the government takes Bruce's property and sets this precedent. Then any political opponent of the government is under threat. All the authorities have to do is brand you a criminal and they can seize everything you have, merely on the balance of probabilities.

These are the tactics of third world dictatorships.

This injustice demands a public outcry...before it's too late.

Kristin Kidd
Toronto, ON