Gun control needs to be at the forefront

By Lethbridge Herald on February 20, 2026.

Dear Editor,

Our local MP is infamous for promoting the possession of assault rifles, using the argument that gun crimes are not committed with the assault rifles belonging to gun owners, but by ‘criminals’ operating outside of social norms. Time and time again, reality shows this is not the case. A student in Montreal, a dentist in Nova Scotia and a family’s mentally ill offspring in Tumbler Ridge, all easily committed mass murders using semi-automatic weapons. The student easily bought himself a Ruger Mini-14 semi-automatic paramilitary rifle and large capacity clip. The dentist got his unregistered Ruger in an estate sale, taking advantage of a loophole in our gun laws. The Tumbler Ridge killer simply picked out a selection of weapons from the ones around the house. These individuals are not part of Ms. Thomas’ vaunted criminal underground. Once again, as we mourn a new swath of victims, we are confronted with the crucial reason assault rifles must not be commonplace items in Canadianhomes. Thoughts and prayers are not enough. Gun control is needed.

Tom Moffatt,

Lethbridge