Thread by @RBlakeBrown

On April 29 Conservative shadow minister for public safety MP Raquel Dancho spoke at the “Stick To Your Guns Dinner” held by a gun lobby group, the Canadian Shooting Sports Association. In doing so, she said there are “rights” to own firearms in Canada #cdnpoli A🧵1/

Ms. Dancho said that “you have a lot of really hard-working Conservatives working hard every day to protect your rights to own firearms.” (at 3:34) You can watch Ms. Dancho’s entire speech to the Canadian Sport Shooting Association here: 2/

Ms. Dancho then said it was so important that Canada get a Conservative government for several reasons including “to protect firearm ownership rights.” (at 5:50) #cdnpoli 3/

Ms. Dancho also complained about people she met as a university student in Montreal “who didn't believe in my right to own a firearm.” (at 7:28) #cdnpoli

In the past Conservatives have avoided referring to “rights” to own firearms. A deviation occurred in 2014 when Minister of Public Safety Steven Blaney said that “To possess a firearm is a right, and it's a right that comes with responsibilities." 5/ ctvnews.ca/politics/why-m…

Canadian courts have consistently ruled against litigants claiming a right to firearms. I’ve explored that in long form here: “Firearm ‘Rights’ in Canada: Law and History in the Debates over Gun Control” in the Canadian Journal of Law & Society. 6/ cambridge.org/core/journals/…

A shorter discussion of efforts of claim a “right” to firearms can be found here: “The ‘Right’ to Bear Arms in Canada” on @ActiveHist /7
activehistory.ca/2017/02/20743/

+1/ The Conservative have repeatedly said they are not filibustering #BillC21, but Ms. Dancho told the Canadian Shooting Sports Association how the Conservatives had tried to stop the bill: “we filibustered and we filibustered.” (at 19:30). ¯\_(ツ)_/¯