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Update on Canada's Courageous Korean War Vet
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=48958&highlight=Oscar+AND+Lacombe
THE FUTURE?
http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/LondonFreePress/News/2004/05/14/458709.html
EDMONTON -- A former sergeant-at-arms of the Alberta legislature was found guilty yesterday of weapons charges brought against him after he protested Ottawa's gun registry. Oscar Lacombe, a Korean War veteran, brought an old .22-calibre rifle to a rally on the legislature grounds Jan. 1, 2003, the day new registration requirements under the Firearms Act came into effect.
He later was charged with offences that already existed under the Criminal Code: possession of a firearm without a licence or registration certificate and carrying a weapon to a public meeting.
Judge David McNab did not jail or fine Lacombe, but instead offered him a conditional discharge if he completes 75 hours of community service by August. That means Lacombe would not have a criminal record.
"There is no logical connection between the accused's freedom to express his view of the Firearms Act and the need to have a firearm present when doing so," McNab said.
Outside court, Lacombe said the conviction was worth it because he made his point.
"I feel good. I think I have accomplished something -- you're all standing here," he told a crowd of reporters after the verdict.
"I'm challenging an unjust law. I've had my day in court."
Lacombe testified during his trial last November that he believes the gun registry is a huge waste of money that should have been used for important work such as heart surgeries.
He said he wanted to bring attention to the fact that the Firearms Act was a bad law.
Court heard testimony from three Edmonton police officers who worked on the file after Lacombe alerted police to his plans.
Deputy chief Michael Bradshaw testified Lacombe told him he planned to bring the gun to the rally.
The gun was wrapped in plastic, unloaded and had its bolt removed so it couldn't be fired. Lacombe asked to be arrested under the provisions of the Firearms Act.
Alberta justice officials have said they won't prosecute gun owners who break the law by failing to register their weapons.
Ontario, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and New Brunswick have taken similar stands.
Protesters carrying banners outside court Thursday vowed to continue their campaign against the registry.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=48958&highlight=Oscar+AND+Lacombe
THE FUTURE?
http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/LondonFreePress/News/2004/05/14/458709.html
EDMONTON -- A former sergeant-at-arms of the Alberta legislature was found guilty yesterday of weapons charges brought against him after he protested Ottawa's gun registry. Oscar Lacombe, a Korean War veteran, brought an old .22-calibre rifle to a rally on the legislature grounds Jan. 1, 2003, the day new registration requirements under the Firearms Act came into effect.
He later was charged with offences that already existed under the Criminal Code: possession of a firearm without a licence or registration certificate and carrying a weapon to a public meeting.
Judge David McNab did not jail or fine Lacombe, but instead offered him a conditional discharge if he completes 75 hours of community service by August. That means Lacombe would not have a criminal record.
"There is no logical connection between the accused's freedom to express his view of the Firearms Act and the need to have a firearm present when doing so," McNab said.
Outside court, Lacombe said the conviction was worth it because he made his point.
"I feel good. I think I have accomplished something -- you're all standing here," he told a crowd of reporters after the verdict.
"I'm challenging an unjust law. I've had my day in court."
Lacombe testified during his trial last November that he believes the gun registry is a huge waste of money that should have been used for important work such as heart surgeries.
He said he wanted to bring attention to the fact that the Firearms Act was a bad law.
Court heard testimony from three Edmonton police officers who worked on the file after Lacombe alerted police to his plans.
Deputy chief Michael Bradshaw testified Lacombe told him he planned to bring the gun to the rally.
The gun was wrapped in plastic, unloaded and had its bolt removed so it couldn't be fired. Lacombe asked to be arrested under the provisions of the Firearms Act.
Alberta justice officials have said they won't prosecute gun owners who break the law by failing to register their weapons.
Ontario, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and New Brunswick have taken similar stands.
Protesters carrying banners outside court Thursday vowed to continue their campaign against the registry.
