From: owner-can-firearms-digest@sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca (Cdn-Firearms Digest) To: cdn-firearms-digest@sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca Subject: Cdn-Firearms Digest V7 #908 Reply-To: cdn-firearms-digest@sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca Sender: owner-can-firearms-digest@sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca Errors-To: owner-can-firearms-digest@sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca Precedence: normal Cdn-Firearms Digest Tuesday, March 22 2005 Volume 07 : Number 908 In this issue: Letter: Why don't the Swiss use their guns? Government gives TransLink constables the right to carry firearms Letter: Control gun crime rather than lawful owners Roszko had three guns, RCMP investigators say Column: Gripping questions left unanswered Gun used by B.C. hunter convicted of manslaughter should go to ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2005 09:26:15 -0600 (CST) From: Breitkreuz@sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca, Garry - Assistant 1 Subject: Letter: Why don't the Swiss use their guns? PUBLICATION: Times Colonist (Victoria) DATE: 2005.03.22 EDITION: Final SECTION: Comment PAGE: A11 BYLINE: Jon MacDonald SOURCE: Times Colonist - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---- Why don't the Swiss use their guns? - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---- For gun control advocates, the facts are rarely on their side. A recent letter said that fewer guns on the streets would mean fewer deaths. But in Switzerland, where there are more firearms per capita than any country on Earth, gun crime is almost unheard of. Every Swiss male is conscripted into the military and, after serving on active duty for a few years, keeps his assault rifle and ammunition in his home. If guns are somehow responsible for murder, why is Switzerland not some kind of bloodbath? Could it have something to do with the people handling these firearms? It is denial and fear of accountability and responsibility that leads to blaming guns or any other inanimate object for murder, and it is not comforting. Jon MacDonald, Victoria. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2005 09:26:36 -0600 (CST) From: Breitkreuz@sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca, Garry - Assistant 1 Subject: Government gives TransLink constables the right to carry firearms PUBLICATION: The Province DATE: 2005.03.22 EDITION: FINAL C SECTION: News PAGE: A12 BYLINE: Frank Luba SOURCE: The Province - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---- Government gives TransLink constables the right to carry firearms - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---- TransLink constables were granted the right to carry firearms yesterday. The provincial government's announcement surprised the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority, which has for years wanted its police armed with more than a ticket book, baton and pepper spray. There are 86 GVTA police, with the number soon to grow to 94. Most are former officers from other police forces and their weapons training will be upgraded. Bob Kind, chief officer of the GVTA Police Services, said the 17 who are not ex-cops are currently taking training at the Justice Institute where other police officers are trained. It will be several months before the officers will get their guns, which will be .40-calibre Glocks used by other municipal forces such as Delta police. Kind said the GVTA police are not just SkyTrain constables. "It's a lot broader than SkyTrain," he said. He said the officers' jurisdiction extends to buses, SeaBus and the West Coast Express. "As more resources are on line, we'll be able to expand the service," he said, but did not elaborate. - - A group fighting TransLink's Richmond-Airport-Vancouver rapid-transit project is to announce today that it will take the provincial government to B.C. Supreme Court over the controversial $1.72- billion project. The Do RAV Right Coalition objects to the abrupt change in plans to put a cut-and-cover tunnel down Cambie Street instead of the bored tunnel the coalition had been told would be used. The cut-and-cover will be more disruptive, according to merchants and residents. fluba@png.canwest.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2005 09:26:44 -0600 (CST) From: Breitkreuz@sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca, Garry - Assistant 1 Subject: Letter: Control gun crime rather than lawful owners PUBLICATION: The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) DATE: 2005.03.22 EDITION: Final SECTION: Forum PAGE: A8 BYLINE: Joe Gingrich SOURCE: The StarPhoenix - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---- Control gun crime rather than lawful owners - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---- "Gun control" is a mere slogan with an indefinite meaning. It is useless as a way to reduce crime and improve public safety. It is "gun control" that Canadians now have to protect us. Actually, what we need instead is "gun-crime control," which is a different matter altogether. Though they sound alike, the definitions of the two phrases are quite different. Even by using the world's strictest "gun control" measures, Canada cannot ensure the safety of our armed RCMP. Somehow, leaders such as Allan Rock, Anne McLellan, Martin Cauchon, Wayne Easter, Jean Chretien, Paul Martin, and their exemplar, Wendy Cukier, lost track of reality and have became zealots. They believe by screening, scrutinizing, licensing, searching, registering, and targeting our law-abiding citizens (for gun control) somehow there would be a positive impact on controlling criminals. They illogically believe that shifting blame from criminals onto the law-abiding is the way to reduce crime.. No study has ever shown that gun control laws work to reduce crime or improve public safety. Our law surely doesn't. Such laws are not only dysfunctional in Canada but everywhere they have been used. The latest study, called Firearms and Violence, by the National Research Council in the U.S., found no proof that gun control laws work. Canadians now know first-hand that licensing and registration schemes that target law-abiding citizens don't work. We need laws which screen, scrutinize, license, search, register, hunt and target only criminals. Let's start by finding the 176,000 Canadians such as James Roszko who have firearms prohibitions for violent behaviour but who aren't tracked. Let's call this technique of law enforcement gun crime control. Joe Gingrich Nipawin ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2005 09:27:02 -0600 (CST) From: Breitkreuz@sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca, Garry - Assistant 1 Subject: Roszko had three guns, RCMP investigators say PUBLICATION: GLOBE AND MAIL DATE: 2005.03.22 PAGE: A1 BYLINE: KATHERINE HARDING SECTION: National News SOURCE: STAFF CP EDITION: Metro DATELINE: Edmonton AB WORDS: 799 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---- Roszko had three guns, RCMP investigators say Mounties don't know how he returned to kill 4 officers - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---- KATHERINE HARDING With a report from Canadian Press EDMONTON James Roszko was armed to the teeth, toting three guns including a semi-automatic rifle, when he massacred four rookie RCMP officers after they entered his dark, metal farm shed, according to the first detailed police account of the hours leading up to the ambush. However, RCMP officials admitted yesterday it could take months to figure out exactly how Mr. Roszko was able to sneak back onto his northwest Alberta farm undetected and then shoot the four officers. "There are many unanswered questions," RCMP Superintendent Marty Cheliak told a news conference about the March 3 killings -- the force's largest loss of life in a violent act in 120 years. Killed in the line of duty were: Peter Schiemann, 25; Leo Johnston, 32; Anthony Gordon, 28; and Brock Myrol, 29. Mr. Roszko, whom the courts had prohibited from owning firearms since 2000, was wounded by another officer who was on the property at the time of the killings. The 46-year-old then stumbled back into his farm shed and shot himself. According to the officer, Mr. Roszko was carrying a Heckler & Koch .308 semi-fully automatic rifle, had a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol in his waist band and a long barrel firearm slung over his shoulder. "Intense follow-up forensic examination and testing will be required to determine exactly what occurred inside the Quonset [farm shed]," Supt. Cheliak said. While the on-site investigation wrapped up late last week, according to a source, police officers spent days meticulously sifting for evidence by hand on the shed's sand floor. The slain officers had been investigating and securing Mr. Roszko's property after a bailiff, who was conducting a property seizure of his white 2005 Ford pickup truck on March 2, uncovered a marijuana grow operation of about 280 plants along with stolen auto parts. Despite several sightings by local residents later that day, Mr. Roszko hadn't been seen by police for 18 hours before the shootings. Police later recovered his truck at his aunt's house, about 24 kilometres from his Mayerthorpe-area farm, according to a news report. RCMP officials wouldn't confirm that information yesterday, nor would they say whether a recent media report stating that Mr. Roszko got back onto the property using a white sheet and socks is accurate. However, Supt. Cheliak said that contrary to several media reports, Constable Schiemann was on duty that morning. But he was not scheduled to be at the farm and he wasn't wearing his uniform or carrying his gun. Supt. Cheliak said another RCMP officer was scheduled to drive Constable Myrol to the Roszko farm. But at the last minute, the first officer was called back to the office, "so Constable Schiemann volunteered to drive Constable Myrol to the Roszko property." The other officers were armed with handguns. However, their loaded rifles were in their police vehicles at the time of the shootings. During yesterday's briefing, RCMP officials went to great lengths to stress that the evening before the killings, senior officers made sure the property was safe for officers and were fully aware of Mr. Roszko's violent history. "Strategic planning and assessments were conducted involving members who were familiar with Mr. Roszko and the area," Supt. Cheliak said, adding that all the buildings on his property were searched and that police officer safety was discussed. "The situation was deemed to be within the capabilities of the Mayerthorpe detachment general duty members," he said. Since the killings, at least one retired RCMP officer has publicly said that the incident was the result of a lack of supervision. Mr. Roszko had criminal convictions dating back to the 1970s for property offences and for harassing phone calls, but he dodged a string of more serious charges for violent offences through the 1990s. Between 1992 and 1999, he was charged with a raft of offences including impersonating a police officer, pointing a firearm, aggravated assault and counselling to commit murder. But he was acquitted on all of the charges. In 2000, he served a 2 1/2-year sentence for sexually assaulting a male. Former police officers who have worked at the Mayerthorpe detachment have said recently that they went to Mr. Roszko's property several times during the 1990s, trying to retrieve his guns. In 1993, one of his trucks was even stripped down as police unsuccessfully looked for the HK .308 assault rifle. Most of his guns had been smuggled into Canada illegally from the United States, according to Mr. Roszko's friends. Yesterday, a spokesman for Alberta's Justice Department said it has launched a review of criminal proceedings involving Mr. Roszko. RCMP Commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli has scheduled a news conference in Ottawa today to discuss the investigation into the deaths of the constables. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2005 09:27:13 -0600 (CST) From: Breitkreuz@sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca, Garry - Assistant 1 Subject: Column: Gripping questions left unanswered PUBLICATION: Calgary Herald DATE: 2005.03.22 EDITION: Final SECTION: News PAGE: A4 COLUMN: Robert Remington BYLINE: Robert Remington SOURCE: Calgary Herald ILLUSTRATION: Photo: Calgary Herald Archive / The Quonset on JamesRoszko's farm near Mayerthorpe. Members of the Auto Theft team were preparing equipment when they heard gunfire erupt inside.; Photo: Canadian Press / Edmonton RCMP Cpl. Wayne Oakes answers questions as he updates the media on the investigation into the shooting deaths of the four RCMP officers.; Colour Photo: Constables (Gordon), Johnston, Schiemann, Myrol.; Colour Photo: Constables Gordon, (Johnston), Schiemann, Myrol.; Colour Photo: Constables Gordon, Johnston, (Schiemann), Myrol.; Colour Photo: Constables Gordon, Johnston, Schiemann, (Myrol).; Photo: Herald News Services / A Heckler and Koch .308 assault rifle similar to the one James Roszko used. NOTE: Mountie Murders. This story features factboxes "Mayerthorpetimeline" and "Firearms in possession of James Roszko". - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---- Gripping questions left unanswered - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---- A Heckler & Koch .308 automatic rifle is a menacing weapon. James Roszko used a Model 91, a descendant of the Heckler & Koch G3, a fearsome German battle weapon developed in 1959. With its 20-round magazine, Roszko could easily gun down four unsuspecting RCMP officers who entered his cluttered steel building the morning of March 3 after subduing two of Roszko's Rotweillers. Roszko, a convicted child molester and known cop-hater, also had a 9-mm semi-automatic pistol strapped to his waist and a long-barrel gun over his shoulder. All four officers were shot -- cut down, would be more grimly accurate -- at the same time. In confirming those details Monday, RCMP left unanswered some of the most gripping questions about the murders of four Mounties on Roszko's farm near Mayerthorpe. How could four trained police officers walk into an ambush, apparently grouped together, rather than one at a time, covering each other? Monday's briefing left unanswered how Roszko returned to his farm after speeding off and abandoning his truck 24 kilometres away. Veteran officers say that until a suspect's whereabouts is known, the scene is not secure. And why did it take at least four hours for an elite tactical team to enter the building following a dramatic gun battle between Roszko and Const. Steve Vigor, who exchanged shots with the killer? When four officers are down, do you not pull out all the stops, even if you have to come 130 kilometres from Edmonton? The answer to the latter, says RCMP spokesman Wayne Oakes, is no. "The first priority is to secure the area and assess the situation." Even when your own are involved? "Absolutely," Oakes said. In what must be a painful thought for the families of the dead officers, could a more rapid response have saved any of their loved ones? RCMP at their briefing Monday would not confirm rumours that one of the downed officers drew his gun and was killed execution style by Roszko. Nor did they release any autopsy results. Did the officers die quickly? Did they suffer? Police are no doubt tormented by these same questions. But even in a situation as volatile and traumatic as the Mountie murders, tactical squads are taught to respond with training, not emotion. Monday's RCMP briefing did, however, shed some light on the events that took place at the exact time of the shootings. In what must have been a frantic and terrifying few seconds, the heavily armed Roszko emerged from the metal building where he had just gunned down the four officers and began firing at Vigor, one of two members of the RCMP auto theft unit who had responded to the scene. Vigor, a trained tactical team member, had heard shots from within the Quonset hut. According to the RCMP timeline, Vigor "yelled out to his partner and began to proceed towards the front of the structure." As he neared the dead officer's police cars, "Roszko fired rounds at Vigor, narrowly missing him; however, striking the parked police car. Vigor fired rounds at Roszko, who was observed to re-enter the Quonset. The second auto theft member used his vehicle to provide cover for Vigor, who immediately called for backup. "Due to lighting and positioning, the auto theft members were not able to see inside the building. Efforts to communicate with the officers or suspect inside were met with no response." It was also revealed how Cpl. Jim Martin and Cpl. Jeff Whipple of the Mayerthorpe detachment may have narrowly escaped being victims. They were delayed by a call from the marijuana "green team" investigators who were at Roszko's farm the previous night. Martin, second in command of the detachment, and Whipple were 10 to 15 minutes behind constables Peter Schiemann and Brock Myrol, who had arrived the morning of March 3 and met constables Leo Johnston and Anthony Gordon, who had guarded the property that night. Schiemann, it was revealed, was not off duty as speculated, but was in plain clothes -- standard procedure for the routine trip he was making to purchase supplies. He was dropping Myrol off at the site. Thus, four young officers walked into a metal shed in a muddy farmyard, their movements perhaps monitored by Roszko, a known "scanner monkey" who constantly listened to police radio broadcasts, who was armed to the teeth, and whose long-time hatred of anyone in authority was about to explode. rremington@theherald.canwest.com Mayerthorpe Timeline March 2, 2005 - - Mid-afternoon: Two bailiffs attend the James Roszko property to execute a civil order to seize a Ford truck; while en route to the property, the bailiffs contact Mayerthorpe Detachment requesting assistance for the purpose of "keeping the peace." When bailiffs arrive at the property they find the gate locked. A male believed to be Roszko is seen departing the property driving a white pickup, north on Range Road 80. - - 5:30 p.m.: Mayerthorpe members are briefed by a bailiff en route to the property. The officers are stopped by five people on horseback who report being spooked by a lone male in a white truck, driving erratically. Cpl. Martin, along with three other members from Mayerthorpe Detachment, arrive at the Roszko property. Bailiffs proceed to search the property. When entry is gained to the Quonset, they discover what appears to be an automotive chop-shop and a marijuana grow op. Additional support from Mayerthorpe and Whitecourt detachments is brought in to secure the scene while a Criminal Code and Controlled Drug and Substances Act search warrant is processed. - - 7:55 p.m. Mayerthorpe Detachment receives the search warrant, endorsed by a justice of the peace. Cpl. Martin contacts the NCO i/c RCMP Edmonton Auto Theft Unit. It's agreed Auto Theft would attend the following day. The situation is deemed to be within the capabilities of the Mayerthorpe Detachment. Strategic planning and assessments is conducted involving members who were familiar with Roszko. The process included; clearing buildings, the actual search and police officer safety. Patrols are made throughout the area in an attempt to locate Roszko. - - 8:40 p.m. Cpl. Martin arrives at the Roszko property with the search warrant, assisted by six other members. - - 9:15 p.m. A call is placed to Sgt. Pinder, Mayerthorpe Detachment Commander. Sgt. Pinder is briefed on the file and developments. - - 10 p.m. Sgt. Pinder attends the Roszko property. - - 11:30 p.m. RCMP-Edmonton Police Green Team attends and assists in the search. A tow truck from Mayerthorpe assists with automotive seizures. Edson Forensic Identification member attends and assists until 2:30 a.m. Throughout the evening there are several unconfirmed sightings of Roszko's vehicle in the Mayerthorpe area. To ensure the safety of the tow truck operator, a member is assigned to provide a police escort. Sgt. Pinder and Cpl. Martin discuss security and safety precautions with the members on site. Const. Gordon and Const. Johnston are recalled to guard the scene. March 3 - - 3:30-4 a.m. Cpl. Martin and the Green Team depart the property with 280 seized marijuana plants. - - 9:10 a.m. Const. Schiemann departs Mayerthorpe Detachment, driving Const. Myrol to the scene. Cpl. Martin prepares to depart at the same time when discussions arose concerning the two dogs at the Roszko property. Meanwhile, Auto Theft members arrive at the Roszko property. They are armed and in plainclothes. They note two members on top of a shed and the other two watching from below, a short distance from the Quonset. After administering a sedative to dogs penned in the shed, the officers proceed to the Quonset. The four members on scene, constables Gordon, Johnston, Myrol and Schiemann, are observed walking east along the south side of the Quonset until they enter, as noted by the Auto Theft members, who are readying equipment and preparing to put on coveralls. Moments after the four constables entered the Quonset, gunfire is heard from inside. Const. Vigor, also a member of the Emergency Response Team, yells to his partner and begins to proceed toward the front of the structure. As Const. Vigor nears the police cars parked close to the front of the Quonset, he observes a male, later identified as James Roszko, exit. Roszko has in his possession a Heckler and Koch Model .308-calibre assault rifle with a 20-round magazine, a semi-automatic pistol in his waist band and another long barrel firearm slung over his shoulder. Roszko fires rounds at Const. Vigor, narrowly missing him and striking a police cruiser. Const. Vigor returns fire at Roszko, who re-enters the Quonset. The second Auto Theft member uses his vehicle to provide cover for Const. Vigor, who immediately calls for backup. Efforts to communicate with the officers get no response. - - 10:19 a.m. The Emergency Response Team is called to the scene, as are explosive units, police dogs and a helicopter. - - 2 p.m. An explosives unit robot is sent into the Quonset. - - 2:15 p.m. The Emergency Response Team is told to enter the Quonset. Team members find the officers and Roszko dead in the Quonset. Source: RCMP Press Release Firearms in Possession of James Roszko - - Heckler & Koch, Model 91, .308 calibre semi / fully- automatic rifle with 20-round detachable magazine. - - 9mm, semi-automatic pistol. - - A third firearm. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2005 09:33:43 -0600 (CST) From: Breitkreuz@sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca, Garry - Assistant 1 Subject: Gun used by B.C. hunter convicted of manslaughter should go to DATE: 2005.03.21 CATEGORY: Western regional general news PUBLICATION: cpw - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---- Gun used by B.C. hunter convicted of manslaughter should go to police: judge - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---- KAMLOOPS, B.C. (CP) _ A gun used by a man in the accidental shooting death of his friend is best left in the hands of authorities, a B.C. Supreme Court judge told a mother Monday. Mary Birchall opposed a Crown application to have a hunting rifle turned over to the police for destruction. The lever-action rifle was carried by her son Robert Birchall during an ill-fated midnight hunt for moose in the dark forests near Lac Le Jeune in October 1997. James Watson, 25, died after being shot in the head at close range. The woman said she wanted the rifle sold with the proceeds to go to charity. But the judge told the mother the police and Crown have no mechanism to allow for such a sale. ``If you dont want it, the easiest way is to let them have it and get rid of it,'' said the judge. The woman agreed, bringing the hearing to an end. Birchall was charged with second-degree murder after Watson's body was found buried in a shallow grave near the Coquihalla Highway. Watson was found wearing only underwear with a bullet wound to the back of his head. The Crown alleged Birchall killed Watson because the man told the RCMP about a stolen computer printer at Birchall's house. The two were long-time friends. Birchall told a jury the shooting was an accident. He said Watson came out of the bushes unexpectedly growling like a bear, prompting him to fire off two panicked rounds from his rifle, one of which caught Watson behind the ear. He said he buried his friend to protect the body from bears and not to cover up a crime scene. Birchall was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to four years in jail. (Kamloops Daily News) ------------------------------ End of Cdn-Firearms Digest V7 #908 ********************************** Submissions: mailto:cdn-firearms-digest@sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca Mailing List Commands: mailto:majordomo@sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca Moderator's e-mail address: mailto:akimoya@cogeco.ca List owner: mailto:owner-cdn-firearms@sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca FAQ list: http://www.magma.ca/~asd/cfd-faq1.html and http://teapot.usask.ca/cdn-firearms/Faq/cfd-faq1.html Web Site: http://teapot.usask.ca/cdn-firearms/homepage.html FTP Site: ftp://teapot.usask.ca/pub/cdn-firearms/ CFDigest Archives: http://www.sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca/~ab133/ or put the next command in an e-mail message and mailto:majordomo@sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca get cdn-firearms-digest v04.n192 end (192 is the digest issue number and 04 is the volume) To unsubscribe from _all_ the lists, put the next five lines in a message and mailto:majordomo@sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca unsubscribe cdn-firearms-digest unsubscribe cdn-firearms-alert unsubscribe cdn-firearms-chat unsubscribe cdn-firearms end (To subscribe, use "subscribe" instead of "unsubscribe".) 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