Gun missing from New Brunswick military base
Updated Thu. Jan. 5 2006 5:42 PM ET
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060105/stolen_gun_060105/20060105?hub=TopStories
CTV.ca News Staff
While law enforcement officers fight to stop illegal guns from entering Canada through the American border, New Brunswick officials are searching for a weapon that disappeared from the province's own military base.
About four months ago, a powerful nine-millimetre handgun went missing from a military vehicle inside CFB Gagetown, near Saint John, N.B.
"Our primary goal is to return that weapon," Sgt. Pamela Hoben, of the CFB Gagetown Military Police, told ATV News, CTV's Atlantic affiliate.
"If we can recover the weapon, that's all that matters to us."
The gun dissapeared from a vehicle parked near a highway during a training exercise. Unable to recover the gun, military officials have gone public with the possible theft, alerting N.B. Crime Stoppers.
"A stolen handgun is a serious, serious crime," said Sgt. Paul Boudreau, the RCMP's coordinator of Crime Stoppers.
"The repercussions or results of that handgun being stolen can be very serious. It could lead to somebody being murdered."
Ross Faulkner, who owns a gun store in McAdams, N.B., said he has no idea how a military handgun could have been taken.
"According to laws in Canada, handguns are not to be left unattended in a vehicle and they're supposed to be locked with trigger locks, and locked in an additional storage container as well," Faulkner said.
According to Hoben, military personnel must never let a weapon leave their sight.
"Once a weapon is issued to a member, that member is responsible for that weapon 24-seven," Hoben said.
"That means if they go to the washroom, they don't leave the gun in their sleeping bag. They carry that weapon with them at all times."
Following a year of brutal gun violence in Toronto, federal politicians have made increased penalties for gun crime a major campaign issue.
All party leaders have called for tougher minimum sentencing for firearms offences, and Liberal Leader Paul Martin has proposed a handgun ban.
N.B. Crime Stoppers can be contacted at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477).
With a report by ATV's Monica Verma in McAdam, N.B.
I hated Gagetown for the few months I was there, the atmoshpere over there is terrible. Morale is low and the mood is glum. It's almost as bad as NDHQ! I hope I don't ever have to go back there, it's the worst base I've been to (compared to Kingston, Petawawa, Meaford, Borden, Valcartier, etc. - which are all great places to be)
does anyone out there know about the 6A course in Feb. if you have any info please advise. i was in gagetown from 91 to 96, i didn't mind it there. i am currently at the recruit school in St- Jean. if theres anyone out there the rank of master or higher they are looking for instructors. this is the best kept secret the army has.
The dog will get used to it!! I'll let you all know if I hear from him...he has promised a visit!!
