Week in Review – 30 Jun 2023 Archive

The CCFR Week in Review

WE WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY CANADA DAY!


CCFR Radio – Ep 145: Another Mega Episode! Is Mendicino done? Bill C-21, the CCFR was right!

For the latest information on what's been happening at the CCFR, check out our most recent Podcast with host Rod Giltaca.

In this episode: C-21 update, Libs order senate to rubber stamp C-21, Senator tells Marco to pound sand. Looks like this might be the end of Marco Mendicino! Lib MP Rachel Bendayan fabricates story about the CCFR and the Montreal Journal publishes it. Turns out the CCFR was right about Amendment G46 banning hunting rifles, who knew? All that and more this week!

Watch on Rumble here

Audio-only Link: https://podcast.ccfr.ca/episodes/episode-145

You can also listen to and watch the CCFR Radio Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and other popular podcast apps.


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Find a full listing of the CCFR's links and accounts here: https://linktr.ee/ccfr



Criminal defence attorney, firearms lawyer, and YouTuber, Ian Runkle, spoke at the CCFR Annual General Meeting weekend in Ottawa on June 10th, 2023. Here's what he had to say.

Watch on YouTube here



Professors, gun policy experts urge government to scrap 'flawed' Bill C-21

Seven of Canada's top researchers, policy, and subject-matter experts, just sent a joint-letter to the Senate of Canada, expressing grave concerns over the Liberals firearm legislation (Bill C-21) and suggesting amendments based on data, not politics.

Their voices join the hundreds of witnesses who gave testimony at The Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security months previous, calling for evidence-based policies and the removal of redundant and ineffective measures included in Marco Mendicino's bill.

Testimony included data provided by police officers and border security agents, women's shelters, indigenous community leaders, firearms policy experts, award-winning hunters, Olympic sport shooters, and spokespersons for various Canadian organizations.

Despite welcoming a few minor aspects of the bill (ie. regulating the manufacturing of ghost guns), the overwhelming majority of experts expressed concerns that the legislation was flawed, politically motivated, and ultimately, would be ineffective in its suggested goals.

The authors included in the letter to the Senate included:

➡️ Noah S. Schwartz, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Political Science, University of the Fraser Valley

➡️ Tim Thurley, MSc, Firearm Researcher and Policy Specialist

➡️ Adam Jones, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science, UBC Okanagan

➡️ Nikolai Kovalev, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Criminology, Wilfrid Laurier University

➡️ Christian Leuprecht, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science, Royal Military College & Director, Institute of Intergovernmental Relations, School of Policy Studies, Queen’s University

➡️ Gary Mauser, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Simon Fraser University

➡️ Caillin Langmann, MD, Ph.D., Assistant Clinical Professor, Medicine, McMaster University

Read and download their open letter here

Read more at National Post here


Canadian broadcaster, columnist, and host of True North's 'The Andrew Lawton Show,' Mr. Andrew Lawton, spoke at the CCFR AGM 2023 in Ottawa, on June 10th, 2023. Listen to what he had to say.

Watch on YouTube here


Montreal unveils confidential hotline to help families worried about gun violence

The City of Montreal launched a new initiative Wednesday aimed at preventing armed violence, particularly gun violence, in the metropolis after several high-profile shootings in recent years.

The hotline, called RENFORT, is a new telephone support service where calls are confidential. The goal is to allow families to communicate if they are concerned about their loved ones — especially youth in potentially violent or illegal situations.

It will operate from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. through the week and from 1 to 5 p.m. on weekends. The hotline will have workers operating in seven languages to provide assistance.

“It’s important to know it does not replace 911,” Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante said. “This line is about hearing what parents, what families have to say, if they are worried about a change in their kids.”

Montrealers can call if they are simply worried or scared a family member is in a tough spot, she added. The RENFORT website also states there will be no official intervention.

Read more at Global News here



RCMP NL has dismantled a synthetic firearm manufacturing and suspected trafficking operation following the execution of a search warrant on June 26, 2023, at a residence in Harbour Grace. Two individuals, 49-year-old John Byrne and 41-year-old Crystal Chislett of Harbour Grace, were arrested and are charged with a number of serious criminal offences.

Privately made firearms are illegal to manufacture or possess and are untraceable. Given the poor manufacturing quality, these firearms are unsafe, posing risks to the general public and the user.

The following items were located and seized from inside the home:

  • 16 long guns, some of which were unsafely stored
  • A total of 33 hand guns, including one prohibited firearm, one restricted loaded firearm, and 27 3D printed firearms in various stages of completion, one of which was 100% complete and capable of firing
  • A large quantity of 3D printed magazines
  • A large quantity of 3D printed firearm parts
  • A 3D printer
  • A large quantity of ammunition of various calibers
  • 10 prohibited weapons, including knives and brass knuckles
  • A "Security" uniform and hard body armour

"A seizure of this magnitude and kind, involving synthetic privately made firearms, is certainly unique to the community of Harbour Grace and to our province as a whole. It's the first seizure of privately made firearms for the RCMP in Newfoundland and Labrador and only the second for the province," said Staff Sergeant Ken Maher, District Commander of Trinity-Conception RCMP.

Read the full RCMP News Release here


A 25-year-old woman, and a 30-year-old man, both from Geary, N.B., have been arrested following a seizure of firearms, as well as a number of prohibited weapons and devices.

In June 2023, members of the New Brunswick RCMP Provincial Crime Reduction Unit (PCRU) began an investigation into the manufacturing of 3D printed firearms following information received from the Montreal division of the Integrated Firearms Trafficking Team (IFTT).

On June 20, PCRU members, with assistance from members of the West District RCMP and the National Weapons Enforcement Support Team (NWEST), executed a search warrant at a residence on Broad Road in Geary, in connection with the investigation. During the search, police seized eleven firearms, including restricted and prohibited firearms, eight 3D printed hand gun frames, eight prohibited devices (over-capacity magazines), four body armour carriers with plates, and six prohibited weapons. Police also seized prohibited 3D printed firearm devices, one prohibited firearm conversion kit, several thousand rounds of ammunition, and other firearm manufacturing parts.

A 25-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man were arrested at the scene. They were both later released, and are scheduled to appear in Fredericton Provincial Court at a later date.

Read the full RCMP News Release here


VICE News: I 3D-Printed a Glock to See How Far Homemade Guns Have Come (US Content)

This Vice News special on 3D printed guns is presented in the American context, but the technology is the same in Canada. If you are confused about exactly what so-called 'ghost guns' are and how they are manufactured, this is an informative and thought provoking mini-documentary. Manufacturing of firearms (including 3D printed ones) is illegal in Canada without a proper firearms business licence.

The first-ever shooting competition exclusively for home-assembled firearms—or so-called “ghost guns”—was held in late June (2022) at a Florida gun range. These are guns with no serial numbers and thus no easy way for authorities to track down the owner or manufacturer.

The shooting contest was organized by a digital gun building collective called Are We Cool Yet? or AWCY, a group that has been pushing the envelope of what’s possible with 3D-printed arms, including a full-auto submachine gun, a “battle rifle,” and some designs that are totally unique. Today's 3D-printed "ghost guns" can look, feel, and shoot like factory-made weapons.

To meet these gunmakers and get a true sense of what 3D-printed guns are capable of these days, VICE News correspondent Keegan Hamilton decided to enter the shooting contest in Florida—and build his own ghost gun, a 9mm Glock 19 pistol.

Watch on YouTube here


Calgary police release photos of items seized in national crackdown on 3D-printed guns

Calgary police say a fully complete, 3D-printed gun was among the items seized locally as part of a nation-wide operation cracking down on the manufacturing and trafficking of privately-made firearms.

The operation, called Project Reproduction, was led by Montreal’s Équipe intégrée de lutte au trafic d'armes (EILTA) and saw hundreds of firearms seized throughout Canada last week.

As part of the operation, police identified multiple people in Calgary who were believed to be linked to the manufacturing of 3D-printed firearms.

On Monday, police released information on the items seized, which included:

  •  Three 3D printers and corresponding filament;
  •  Seven 3D-printed receivers;
  •  One fully complete 3D-printed firearm;
  •  Five rifles;
  •  Three airsoft rifles;
  •  Multiple rounds and types of ammunition; and
  •  1.3 kilograms of powder and crack cocaine.

Police say charges are pending and more details will be released once they've been laid.

Read more CTV News here


Bullet strikes Toronto infant daycare during early morning drive-by shooting

Toronto police are investigating after bullets from an early morning drive-by shooting struck a daycare in the St. Lawrence neighbourhood.

According to police, the shooting happened at Market Street and The Esplanade at around 7:30 a.m., at the St. Lawrence Co-operative Daycare’s infant and toddler centre, which serves children between three months and two-and-a-half years old, according to their website.

Police said multiple shots were fired and one bullet went through the daycare centre’s window.

There were no injuries and police said the daycare was not open at the time of the shooting.

Police said one person was working inside the daycare at the time but was not injured.

There were no children inside the daycare nor were any children or parents nearby at the time of the shooting, which happened just as the busy morning rush hour began.

Read more at Toronto Star here


Man chased, shot at while on walk with kids in west Edmonton: police

Edmonton police are investigating a shooting that happened Saturday evening in the Ormsby Place neighbourhood.

Several 911 callers reported gunshots in the area of Ormsby Crescent around 6:45 p.m.

Police say a man was out for a walk with his family, including two young children, when a red Nissan Rogue was driven up behind them.

Two masked people got out of the SUV and started to chase the man southeast through the green space between Ormsby Crescent and Ormsby Road East while shooting at him.

They eventually returned to their SUV and left the area.

Neither the man, his family, nor any community members were hurt.

"What I do want to convey was how absolutely irresponsible this act was, electing to shoot up a neighbourhood filled with families in broad daylight. We could easily be talking about life-threatening injuries or homicides here today," said Acting Insp. Eric Stewart of the Edmonton Police Service's Organized Crime Branch during a Wednesday news conference.

Read more at CTV News here


Over 150 total guns seized in Hamilton since beginning of the year

Hamilton police say they continue to pursue offenders engaged in guns and violent activity in the city, with over 150 total guns seized from the streets since the beginning of the year.

Police say members of the Major Drug and Gangs Unit have seized 153 guns since January. Of those guns, 84 were considered “crime guns”, and seven were recovered during traffic-related interactions.

And just this month, officers have reportedly seized two prohibited guns.

In one instance, police discovered a loaded illegal handgun in a man’s vehicle, along with a quantity of suspected cocaine with a street value of over $300,000.

As a result, a 26-year-old man from Hamilton is facing seven separate charges, including the unauthorized possession of a firearm.

Police say a 30-year-old man from Hamilton is also facing charges related to drug trafficking and prohibited firearms.

“The citizens of Hamilton need to continue to feel safe in their communities and as a community, we need to stop illicit drugs and guns from entering our streets,” police said.

Read more at CHCH here

Has Canada become a safer country after 8 years of this Liberal government?


Pair sentenced in Red Deer fentanyl and firearms seizure

Sentencing has taken place for two men charged in a local fentanyl and firearms seizure.

Jay Dee Coffman, 39, and Kyle Travis McGray, 34, were sentenced to eight years and 90 days, and six years respectively, in Red Deer Court of Justice on June 23, 2023.

They were also each given a lifetime firearms prohibition after being convicted on two counts apiece; Coffman for possession for purpose, and fail to comply with a probation order, and McGray for possession for purpose, and possess prohibited/restricted firearm.

The pair were charged with several criminal offences relating to drugs and weapons.

It was on June 3, 2022 when nine firearms and over two kilograms of suspected fentanyl powder were seized by the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT).

ALERT Red Deer’s organized crime and gang team said search warrants at a north Red Deer apartment and Red Deer County hotel room resulted in the seizure of fentanyl having an estimated street value of roughly $375,000.

ALERT says Red Deer RCMP and the RCMP Emergency Response Team provided assistance with the search warrant executions.

Officials confirmed nine firearms were seized, five of which were loaded, along with a host of other weapons and imitation firearms. Seven of the firearms were classified as prohibited and one had its serial number defaced. ALERT stated at the time that the firearms would be submitted for forensic analysis and ballistics testing.

“The combination of fentanyl and firearms is an equation for all sorts of community harms. ALERT is working diligently to take these harmful substances off the streets and take guns out of the hands of drug dealers,” said Staff Sgt. Jason Gibson of ALERT Regional teams, at the time.

In total, ALERT seized:

  • 9 firearms
  • 2,170 grams of suspected fentanyl
  • 104 grams of methamphetamine
  • $5,725 cash

Read more at RD News Now here


 


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What is the CCFR Insiders group?  

  • A group for those providing recurring donations (via our website or Patreon) of $20.00 CAD/month or more.
  • Insiders get a 90 minute zoom meeting with one or both Tracey Wilson & Rod Giltaca every month (or so).
  • In each meeting, we will have giveaways in the form of CCFR store credits. People who attend the zoom meetings will be entered into the draws.
  • All insiders will be also be entered in exclusive draws from time to time, regardless of whether they make it to our zoom meetings.
  • Insiders are able to ask questions directly, receive news and insights before the general membership, hear about upcoming projects, etc.

Ready to join the Insiders group? Sign up for automatic monthly donations here.