The day before I published my latest update on her case (Self-Defense Loses Another Court Battle) Brittany Smith was pleading guilty to murder so she could escape spending the rest of her life in prison. The plea deal did not make news until Sunday. Brittany Smith needed her nightmare to end and, honestly, who can blame her. Case History In December 2017, … [Read more...]
Brittany Smith: Self-Defense Loses Another Court Battle
For more about Brittany Smith's case, please see these commentaries: Brittany Smith’s Nightmare is Alabama’s Epic Fail on Stand Your Ground Ruling Brittany Smith Case Update: Woman Who Killed Her Rapist Still Fighting for her Freedom On September 15, 2020, Judge Jenifer Holt issued a rare ruling in favour of Brittany Smith, the young Alabama … [Read more...]
Matthew Marty Powder: Firearms Prohibition Order Violator Killed by Police
On July 26, 2019, the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) issued a warning to the public that Matthew Marty Powder, a high-risk violent offender, was released from custody. On September 18, 2020, following a confrontation with police, Matthew Marty Powder was shot and killed by members of the Edmonton Police Service when he challenged them while holding a loaded firearm. Powder … [Read more...]
John Brittain: Killer of Four to Plead Guilty
On April 15, 2019, John Brittain, a retired City of Penticton civil engineer, allegedly murdered Rudi Winter outside his Penticton home, then drove to the homes of Darlene Knippelberg and Susan and Barry Wonch and killed them too. John Brittain faces three counts of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder. To this point, neither the alleged murderer nor … [Read more...]
California Loses Appeal: 2016 Magazine Ban Violates 2nd Amendment
California, like Canada, despises standard capacity firearm magazines and defines any magazine capable of holding more than 10 rounds as over capacity or large capacity. California, unlike Canada, must abide by this pesky little thing called the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution, which states: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a … [Read more...]
The American Firearm Prohibition Order System is Broken Too
While I devote thousands of words every month to the colossal failure that is Canada's firearm prohibition order system, keeping guns out of the hands of violent criminals and domestic abusers isn't a purely Canadian problem. Case in point: 28-year-old Davante Doss from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Davante Doss is banned from possessing firearms until 2026 because of: a … [Read more...]
Marc Anthony Lerat: Another Firearm Prohibition Order System Failure
Marc Anthony Lerat is a violent, repeat offender with a lifetime firearms prohibition order against him. This prohibition did not stop Marc Lerat from illegally obtaining a .22 calibre rifle and ammunition for it, nor did it stop him from carrying the loaded rifle with him as he made his way around Regina. On September 7th or 8th (news reports are unclear) Regina Provincial … [Read more...]
Yarmouth Man Faces Criminal Charges for Attempting to Save Child
It's a classic case of doing the wrong thing for the right reasons. On September 19 at 10:40 a.m., Nova Scotia RCMP report, a 19-year-old Yarmouth man saw another man place a small female child into the trunk of his car and walk away. This young man was horrified, and rightfully so. Can you even imagine the level of depravity it takes to lock a small child in the trunk … [Read more...]
BC Judge Rescinds Lifetime Firearms Prohibition Order
On December 2, 2019, The Honourable Mr. Justice Marchand vacated Terence Scott Fehr's lifetime firearm prohibition order. (The ruling was only published on CANLII.org last week, hence my not writing about it earlier.) The revocation of his lifetime firearms prohibition order was the last hurdle in Terence Fehr's dream of becoming an RCMP constable. You may initially be … [Read more...]
David Lametti: Political Interference in Judicial Process or Another Ethically-Challenged Liberal Minister in Action?
The headline from Blacklock's Reporter, an Ottawa political newspaper, reads "Lametti Cited For Meddling: “Intolerable” Says Fed Judge." After reading the Federal court decision, I call it an accurate assessment, albeit a restrained one. Justice Minister David Lametti's time limits provision, as written in Bill C-17, An Act respecting additional COVID-19 measures, would … [Read more...]
Adam Pichette: 5 Firearm Prohibition Orders Can’t Stop Him from Getting a Gun
Adam Pichette is the latest in a long line of exhibits proving Canada's Firearm Prohibition Order system is broken. To quote Paul Cherry of the Montreal Gazette, "The man arrested following the police shooting in the Old Port during the weekend does not appear to concern himself with firearm legislation. At the time of his arrest, he was subject to five different … [Read more...]
“We Hope They Die!”
Plumbing the Depths of Human Depravity At about 6:30pm on Saturday, September 12, 2020, in Compton, California, an as-yet unidentified person walked up to a police cruiser parked at the MLK Transit Center in Compton and opened fire. Two Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies sat inside the cruiser. Both graduated from the police academy just 14 months ago. “The … [Read more...]
Firearm Prohibition Order Imposed After Nasty Breakup
On August 21, 2020, Newfoundland Provincial Court Judge Wayne Gorman issued a 4-year firearms prohibition order against a man identified only as Mr. AP (R. v A.P, 2020 58652) even though the Crown only sought a 2-year prohibition. “I have concluded that this is an appropriate case for the issuing of a section 111 Criminal Code prohibition. I have reached this conclusion … [Read more...]
Alberta Man Charged with Trafficking 3D Printed Firearm Parts
On August 18, 2020, 53-year-old Dan Forsyth was arrested and his home was searched. He now faces 11 criminal charges including two for firearms trafficking. On September 3rd, 2020, the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) issued a press release about Forsyth's arrest in Picture Butte, Alberta, a small town 30 kms north of Lethbridge. “Make no mistake, printing 3D … [Read more...]
Robert Gordon Heltman: Another FPO Reoffender Running Free
Robert Gordon Heltman is currently the subject of a nationwide manhunt after he breached the conditions of his latest statutory release, and for violating his lifetime Firearm Prohibition Order. On August 19, 2020, North Okanagan RCMP suspected Heltman was in Vernon, British Columbia, and evacuated nearby residents of a home on Brooks Lane. “Given the high-risk situation … [Read more...]
Brenda Dolderman, wife of OPP Sgt. charged with five counts of sexual assault, faces new criminal charges
On April 23, 2020, Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Mike Dolderman was arrested and charged with five counts of sexual assault and five counts of breach of trust. His wife, 53-year-old Brenda Dolderman, was also arrested and charged with three counts of obstructing justice. On Thursday, August 27, 2020, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) announced new charges against … [Read more...]
RCMP Membership Has Its Privileges
One of the more frustrating issues, as a licenced firearm owner, is watching Crown prosecutors treat police officers caught violating the Firearms Act very differently than they would treat civilians in similar circumstances. It’s frustrating because, for example, if I were to leave a loaded handgun and ammunition behind the receptionist’s desk at a physiotherapy clinic, I … [Read more...]
Brodie Curtis Young: RCMP Screwup Sets Another Career Criminal With a Firearms Prohibition Order Free
Colour me shocked that our broken firearms prohibition order system failed to stop career criminal Brodie Curtis Young from illegally obtaining a gun and ammunition for it. That's bad, but after RCMP constables violated Young's Charter rights, the entire case against him was tossed out so as not to bring the administration of justice into disrepute. The July 23, 2020, … [Read more...]
Peter Anthony Kampos and Canada’s Gun Law “Loophole”?
On March 23, 2017, Peter Anthony Kampos walked into the Canadian Tire store in Terrace, B.C., and used his expired Possession and Acquisition Licence to buy an Aero Survival Rifle chambered in a 9mm Luger. Peter Kampos then drove from Terrace to Prince George, then to Chilliwack, BC, shooting at the drivers of 22 transport trucks along the way. Only by a miracle were none of … [Read more...]
Violent N.B. Drug Dealer Nicholas Bain Finally Arrested
It took them three months, but New Brunswick RCMP finally got their man. On August 11, 2020, a search warrant was executed at a home on Main Street in Sackville as part of the investigation. Nicholas Bain was located and arrested without incident. Bain was finally arrested after evading the RCMP for 84 days. The arrest warrant for Nick Bain, a violent career criminal with … [Read more...]