This is part of my ongoing series on Canadian Mass Murders. On Sunday, March 5, 2006, John LaFleche got really, really drunk, fought with his estranged wife Wendy, then grabbed an aluminum baseball bat and bludgeoned her to death. Then, fearing his children would grow up in abusive foster care like he did, LaFleche beat 7-year-old Victoria and 3-year-old Jesse to death … [Read more...]
St. Louis Cop Nathaniel Hendren’s Penchant for Russian Roulette Kills Fellow Cop Katlyn Alix
Occasionally, people who should know better do really stupid things. Those stupid things can leave a person dead, as they did in the early morning hours of January 24, 2019. St. Louis Police Department officers Nathaniel Hendren and Katlyn Alix played a game of Russian Roulette at Hendren’s home. Katlyn Alix lost. On February 28, 2020, Nathaniel Hendren pleaded guilty … [Read more...]
Remembering Mayerthorpe RCMP’s Fallen Four
This is part of my ongoing series on Canadian Mass Murders. On March 3, 2005, a violent man with a long criminal history and a lifetime firearms prohibition order against him used an illegal gun to murder four RCMP constables in Mayerthorpe, Alberta. Anthony Fitzgerald Orion Gordon Lionide Nicholas Johnston Brock Warren Myrol Peter Christopher … [Read more...]
Antonio Sampogna: Licenced Gun Owner’s Choices Baffle Lawyers and Judges Alike
What makes a licenced gun owner, avid target shooter and hunter, decide selling guns to criminals is a good idea? That’s the unanswered question remaining after Antonio Sampogna was, on February 14, 2020, sentenced to five years in prison for a series of gun crimes. Sampogna was once a law-abiding man who, for reasons nobody understands, he chose to sell a gun and … [Read more...]
Tyson Mallett: Judge Delivers Second Chance on Gun Charges
UPDATE 2020-02-26 11am: New information about retaining possession of gun added to end of column. After police caught Tyson Mallett with an illegal rifle and no firearm licence, he escaped jail time entirely and must only pay a $500 fine. Tyson Mallett is one lucky man. On August 24, 2019, police pulled over a truck because it had no licence plates. Mallet was … [Read more...]
RCMP and Fredericton Police: Accidental or Negligent Discharge of a Firearm?
When accurately describing unintended firearm discharges, accidental covers the smallest number of incidents. An equipment failure causing a firearm to discharge is accidental. A poorly designed or poorly constructed firearm that fires when bumped (somewhere other than the trigger) is also accidental. If your finger, body part or part of your gear touch the trigger and … [Read more...]
In Praise of Canadian Athletes in the Shooting Sports
Many of Canada's most dedicated athletes are in the shooting sports. Here are a few of Canada's shooting sports ambassadors and their recent accomplishments, most of which go unnoticed outside of small, regional newspapers. Christina Matchett Cadet Warrant Officer Christina Matchett "blew away the competition" at the South Island Zone Biathlon competition, held … [Read more...]
Buck Evans: Repeat Offender Violating His Firearm Prohibition Order
Why does the government refuse to change the law to allow police to track violent repeat offenders with Firearm Prohibition Orders? If they had, perhaps Buck Evans would still be alive today. On December 26, 2018, 34-year-old Buck Evans was shot dead by Edmonton police during what was called a high-risk arrest of an armed and dangerous suspect whose criminal record dates … [Read more...]
Red Flag Law? Let’s Track Violent Offenders with Firearm Prohibition Orders
[Updated 2020-02-18] Added info documenting Basil Borutski's history of domestic violence dating back to 1985. Canada doesn’t need a new “red flag law.” If Minister Bill Blair truly wants to improve public safety, he must rewrite legislation surrounding Firearm Prohibition Orders so violent offenders are tracked and routinely checked for compliance. If he … [Read more...]
How to Obtain Your Firearm Possession and Acquisition Licence
Many Canadians believe anyone can walk into their local gun store, toss a wad of cash on the counter and walk out with a gun. Worse, this lie is often promoted by reporters and elected officials alike. It's critical for Canadians to understand all of the legal hurdles an individual must clear before they are granted a firearm Possession and Acquisition Licence by the RCMP … [Read more...]