Please feel free to copy, edit & send your own version of my letter to Minister Blaney. As hunters, we MUST be allowed to 'Wilderness Carry'. Tragic deaths like this might be avoided if we could...
Dear Minister of Public Safety Steven Blaney;
Today I read a very sad story on Sun News Network and the CBC about the death of a gentleman from a bear attack in Alberta. Please see these two links;
http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/canada/archives/2014/09/20140909-080427.html
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calga...naskis-hunter-killed-in-bear-attack-1.2760221
The reason that I bring this tragedy to your attention is that I believe you can help change the outcome for incidents such as these. Although this gentleman was hunting & had a long rifle with him, he was unable to get that firearm into the fight to affect its outcome. It is quite likely that he was surprised and the attack happened very quickly at close quarters. That is why I am asking you to give Canadian hunters another option to protect themselves while hunting.
I call on you to allow law abiding Canadians to legally open carry a handgun while hunting to protect themselves from dangerous wildlife. Only a compact firearm such as a pistol or revolver can be used one handed in close quarters and it may have given Mr. Rick Cross a fighting chance against that bear.
Please consider my request seriously. Currently Chief Firearms Officers are denying Wilderness Carry Permits based upon the fact that the area is not ‘truly wilderness’. I would submit to you that their interpretation is abusive and must stop. Anywhere you can lawfully hunt should be considered wilderness.
Thank you for your time. Law abiding Canadians are counting on you to help them protect themselves while hunting.
Respectfully
Jay