Gunsmith spends over a week in jail
----- Original Message -----
From: "Edward
To: "
Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2004 4:35 PM
Subject: Gunsmith spends over a week in jail
> FYI:
>
> The Ontario crown persecutor agreed to Bruce's release at 4:30 p.m.
> Tuesday.
>
> Bruce is at home once again.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Eduardo
---------------------------
> Subject:
> Gunsmith spends over a week in jail
> Date:
> Thu, 23 Sep 2004 10:40:31 -0600 (CST)
>
>
> http://www.drydenobserver.ca/topnews.html
>
> Gunsmith spends over a week in jail
>
> By Laurie Papineau
> The Dryden Observer
>
> After 10 days and two scheduled Show Cause hearings, Bruce Montague was
> still waiting to find out if he would be released from jail on Tuesday.
>
> The Dryden gunsmith and Canadian Unregistered Firearms Owners
> Association
> (CUFOA) member was charged with a number of weapons related offences on
> Sept. 11 after openly refusing to register his firearms in an act of
> ongoing
> non-compliance with Bill C-68.
>
> After a search warrant was executed on the family's property, Montague
> was
> facing four charges, including two counts of unauthorized possession of
> firearms and careless storage of a firearm; failure to use reasonable
> care
> with an explosive and unlawful possession of an explosive. His wife
> Donna
> was charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm and careless
> storage.
>
> However, by the time Montague appeared at bail court for a Show Cause
> hearing in Dryden on Sept. 15, the number of weapons related charges
> against
> him had grown to at least half a dozen.
>
> The hearing was halted when Montague decided against defending himself,
> but
> not until the Crown's first witness had provided details of what was
> found
> during the search of the family's home.
>
> At least 55 firearms, numerous rounds of ammunition, and six sticks of
> dynamite in the family freezer were among the items OPP Det. Const.
> Randy
> Belluz said were seized from the home. This led the police officer to
> later
> describe Montague's character as "paranoid."
>
> This comment angered supporters and family members who made note of the
> fact
> that it's not unusual for a gunsmith and firearms collector to possess
> these
> items, adding that the dynamite was used for clearing a beaver dam and
> many
> of the guns found at that time belonged to customers.
>
> The Dryden man had dozens of supporters in court for the hearing, many
> who
> had little, if anything, to do with firearms. Most of them expressed
> relief
> that Montague would enlist professional help in his bid to get out of
> jail.
>
> For a second attempt at the Show Cause hearing in Kenora on Sept. 20,
> the
> family had retained the services of Thornhill, ON lawyer Edward Burlew.
>
> Burlew, an avid hunter, shooter and gun collector, has traveled all over
>
> Ontario in his 25 years of practice, and has handled a number of weapons
>
> related offences he calls "paper crimes."
>
> "The majority of my clients are middle aged, hard working families who
> have
> had a break-in, fire or medical emergency at their homes, and end up
> with
> charges against them after the police come in and see a firearm," says
> Burlew. "This tells me that gun owners are at high risk of getting into
> trouble with the law."
>
> After going over the details of Montague's case, the lawyer says what
> his
> client is facing is "paper non-compliance charges."
>
> "Bruce has some very strong constitutional arguments on his side," he
> notes.
> "We're going to take this as far as we can."
>
> Montague's team is hoping to prove that these charges under Bill C-68,
> constitute a violation of his rights and freedoms guaranteed under the
> Charter. That may mean a trip to the Supreme Court, but Burlew says his
> client is prepared for the battle.
>
> Many supporters who made the trip to Kenora, hoping to watch that battle
>
> begin were disappointed when Crown attorney Peter Keen and Burlew came
> to an
> agreement involving Montague's release without ever stepping foot in the
>
> courtroom.
>
> At the end of the day, the gunsmith agreed to divulge the location and
> safe
> entry of a secret room in the family home - a room not found during the
> initial 36-hour search.
>
> On the evening of Sept. 20, a second search warrant was executed at the
> Montague's property, and pending the location of numerous firearms still
>
> believed to be in his possession, Montague was to be released in Sioux
> Lookout bail court on Sept. 21.
>
> As of press time, however, the Crown was waiting for the police report
> on
> the second search and indicating that there may be "additional
> concerns."
>
> In the meantime, several Dryden supporters have set up a fund called the
>
> 'Bruce Montague Scrap C-68 Fund' to help the family with legal expenses.
>
> **********
>
> Re: Bruce Montague Scrap C-68 Fund
>
>
> Bruce is going to need all the help possible.
>
> The address for the "Bruce Montague Scrap C-68 Fund" aka "Bruce Montague
> Fund"
> (short title):
>
> Bruce Montague Fund
> RR2 Site 230
> Box 20
> Dryden
> Ontario
> P8N 2Y5
>
> This is the home address of Dryden area bush pilot Dan (The Red) Baron.
>
> The Fund has been established at the Dryden TD Canada Trust.
>
> Dryden residents Dan Baron, Roger Nordlund, and Nesbitt Burns financial
> advisor
> Willie Cheslock are the three directors for the Fund. This fund is
> completely
> separate from CUFOA.
>
> Please be aware that more charges are pending against Bruce. We may have
> the
> opportunity to fight several aspects of the Firearms Act with this one
> case.
>
> Again, thank you very much for helping.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Eduardo
----- Original Message -----
From: "Edward
To: "
Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2004 4:35 PM
Subject: Gunsmith spends over a week in jail
> FYI:
>
> The Ontario crown persecutor agreed to Bruce's release at 4:30 p.m.
> Tuesday.
>
> Bruce is at home once again.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Eduardo
---------------------------
> Subject:
> Gunsmith spends over a week in jail
> Date:
> Thu, 23 Sep 2004 10:40:31 -0600 (CST)
>
>
> http://www.drydenobserver.ca/topnews.html
>
> Gunsmith spends over a week in jail
>
> By Laurie Papineau
> The Dryden Observer
>
> After 10 days and two scheduled Show Cause hearings, Bruce Montague was
> still waiting to find out if he would be released from jail on Tuesday.
>
> The Dryden gunsmith and Canadian Unregistered Firearms Owners
> Association
> (CUFOA) member was charged with a number of weapons related offences on
> Sept. 11 after openly refusing to register his firearms in an act of
> ongoing
> non-compliance with Bill C-68.
>
> After a search warrant was executed on the family's property, Montague
> was
> facing four charges, including two counts of unauthorized possession of
> firearms and careless storage of a firearm; failure to use reasonable
> care
> with an explosive and unlawful possession of an explosive. His wife
> Donna
> was charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm and careless
> storage.
>
> However, by the time Montague appeared at bail court for a Show Cause
> hearing in Dryden on Sept. 15, the number of weapons related charges
> against
> him had grown to at least half a dozen.
>
> The hearing was halted when Montague decided against defending himself,
> but
> not until the Crown's first witness had provided details of what was
> found
> during the search of the family's home.
>
> At least 55 firearms, numerous rounds of ammunition, and six sticks of
> dynamite in the family freezer were among the items OPP Det. Const.
> Randy
> Belluz said were seized from the home. This led the police officer to
> later
> describe Montague's character as "paranoid."
>
> This comment angered supporters and family members who made note of the
> fact
> that it's not unusual for a gunsmith and firearms collector to possess
> these
> items, adding that the dynamite was used for clearing a beaver dam and
> many
> of the guns found at that time belonged to customers.
>
> The Dryden man had dozens of supporters in court for the hearing, many
> who
> had little, if anything, to do with firearms. Most of them expressed
> relief
> that Montague would enlist professional help in his bid to get out of
> jail.
>
> For a second attempt at the Show Cause hearing in Kenora on Sept. 20,
> the
> family had retained the services of Thornhill, ON lawyer Edward Burlew.
>
> Burlew, an avid hunter, shooter and gun collector, has traveled all over
>
> Ontario in his 25 years of practice, and has handled a number of weapons
>
> related offences he calls "paper crimes."
>
> "The majority of my clients are middle aged, hard working families who
> have
> had a break-in, fire or medical emergency at their homes, and end up
> with
> charges against them after the police come in and see a firearm," says
> Burlew. "This tells me that gun owners are at high risk of getting into
> trouble with the law."
>
> After going over the details of Montague's case, the lawyer says what
> his
> client is facing is "paper non-compliance charges."
>
> "Bruce has some very strong constitutional arguments on his side," he
> notes.
> "We're going to take this as far as we can."
>
> Montague's team is hoping to prove that these charges under Bill C-68,
> constitute a violation of his rights and freedoms guaranteed under the
> Charter. That may mean a trip to the Supreme Court, but Burlew says his
> client is prepared for the battle.
>
> Many supporters who made the trip to Kenora, hoping to watch that battle
>
> begin were disappointed when Crown attorney Peter Keen and Burlew came
> to an
> agreement involving Montague's release without ever stepping foot in the
>
> courtroom.
>
> At the end of the day, the gunsmith agreed to divulge the location and
> safe
> entry of a secret room in the family home - a room not found during the
> initial 36-hour search.
>
> On the evening of Sept. 20, a second search warrant was executed at the
> Montague's property, and pending the location of numerous firearms still
>
> believed to be in his possession, Montague was to be released in Sioux
> Lookout bail court on Sept. 21.
>
> As of press time, however, the Crown was waiting for the police report
> on
> the second search and indicating that there may be "additional
> concerns."
>
> In the meantime, several Dryden supporters have set up a fund called the
>
> 'Bruce Montague Scrap C-68 Fund' to help the family with legal expenses.
>
> **********
>
> Re: Bruce Montague Scrap C-68 Fund
>
>
> Bruce is going to need all the help possible.
>
> The address for the "Bruce Montague Scrap C-68 Fund" aka "Bruce Montague
> Fund"
> (short title):
>
> Bruce Montague Fund
> RR2 Site 230
> Box 20
> Dryden
> Ontario
> P8N 2Y5
>
> This is the home address of Dryden area bush pilot Dan (The Red) Baron.
>
> The Fund has been established at the Dryden TD Canada Trust.
>
> Dryden residents Dan Baron, Roger Nordlund, and Nesbitt Burns financial
> advisor
> Willie Cheslock are the three directors for the Fund. This fund is
> completely
> separate from CUFOA.
>
> Please be aware that more charges are pending against Bruce. We may have
> the
> opportunity to fight several aspects of the Firearms Act with this one
> case.
>
> Again, thank you very much for helping.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Eduardo
