Submitted by SobeysBags t3_yibypi in Maine
ozzie286 t1_iuizhpd wrote
Reply to comment by SobeysBags in In the Maine News? by SobeysBags
Because one Canadian nut smuggled 3 handguns from Maine into Canada? This very much sounds like Canadian border agents screwed up. This is not something that Maine laws or regulations would have had much effect on - the handgun that was gifted, possibly, but the 2 that were stolen? The guy still would have stolen them and smuggled them, his corpse would just be guilty of a few more crimes.
You're looking for someone to blame. Stop trying to make it our fault.
saigonk t1_iuj2wvn wrote
Well, if the gun was "gifted" to the shooter and he wasn't a US Citizen then the person who did so is in violation of federal law and should be punished. That is unless the receiving person who is not a citizen possessed a valid hunting license, in which case he/she can possess that firearm.
He admitted to it directly, yet here we are with nothing happening. Also, I suspect the "he stole the other two" line isn't sitting well with the RCMP as they probably dont believe him.
ozzie286 t1_iuj8bpa wrote
A) it is not illegal for a US resident to give a Canadian resident a gun. There is a procedure for it, which afaics was not followed.
B) That's federal law, not state. ATF, which is a federal agency, is obviously aware and has declined to prosecute him. Ask them for answers, not r/Maine.
C) we're not talking about a black market arms dealer here. We're talking about a guy who trusted someone enough to invite them into their home, work on their home, and gift them a firearm. This is not the crime of the century, it's a procedural oversight.
SobeysBags OP t1_iuj5vc6 wrote
The shooter had a Nexus card, which means he needed clearance from both border patrols. Both CBSA and US border patrol are reviewing their guidelines, and CBSA is definitely way more strict now, but do you really expect them to search EVERY car, its unrealistic. It takes two to tango in this situation. Dealing with American guns is costing the Canadian taxpayer some serious $$$ now. It's becoming a a major issue, and the USA and Maine can ignore it until it affects them, or be proactive.
While the guy stole guns from his "friend", he was also gifted some by his "Friend" in Houlton, and got the others at a gun show in Houlton. Technically giving or selling a gun to a non-resident is a federal crime, punishable by up to 10 years in prison. But since Maine doesn't require any back ground check for buyers at gun shows or private sales, this went well below the radar. Essentially in Maine if the person "looks and talks" like an American are you really going to ask them for proof of citizenship? The shooter knew this, and was able to determine where to get guns and where to steal them and buy them with little suspicion. Also leaving guns improperly stored and easily accessible can be a crime in Maine, which apparently was the case when the shooter stole the guns. No charges have been laid on anyone.
Never said it was Maine's fault, and I blame the shooter. But when your neighbor has easily accessible guns for any nut-job to get their hands on, there is point when they stop being a good neighbor and start being an accessory. I don't think we have reached that point with Maine, but the State's silence currently speaks volumes.
ozzie286 t1_iuk0gry wrote
He also inherited one of the guns from a friend in Canada in 2009, despite being barred from gun ownership after a 2002 conviction, and the RCMP failed to act on information about his illegal gun stash in at least 2011 and 2013.
Wikipedia also disagrees with the sources of the guns. Of the five, one rifle he inherited, the other was bought by a friend at a gun store in California and then given to him. He acquired one pistol from the guy in the article, another was loaned to him by someone else, and the fifth was a service pistol from one of the cops he shot. Nothing about a gun show in Houlton.
WikiSummarizerBot t1_iuk0icf wrote
>On April 18–19, 2020, Gabriel Wortman committed multiple shootings and set fires at 16 locations in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, killing 22 people and injuring three others before he was shot and killed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Enfield. For most of the thirteen-hour crime spree, Wortman was driving a replica RCMP cruiser and may have been wearing parts of an RCMP uniform. On December 4, three people, including Wortman's partner, were charged with supplying him with ammunition later used in the attacks.
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SobeysBags OP t1_iuk1kd8 wrote
Ya never said it was all Maine weapons. Some serious balls were dropped in Canada hence the commission, and some extreme law changes. Canada and Nova Scotia acted on it and made changes, and they are still.imvesotgotng and calling people to testify . But that's half the battle, the American border is proving a difficult issue. Having some support by federal and state governments would be appreciated, but it is becoming more and more apparent there is little will or care. Sadly.
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