Here in Canada a new law has allowed a judge to sentence Justin Bourque to three consecutive life sentences for a total of 75 years without parole for the murder of three RCMP officers.
Bourque, 24, was obsessed with guns and felt oppressed by the police even though he had no criminal record. On June 4, he went on a shooting rampage that resulted in a 28-hour lockdown in one section of the city of Moncton, New Brunswick.. He stalked and murdered the men in cold blood because they were law enforcement officers.
Bourque's weapons of choice included two firearms, an M305 .308 rifle and Mossberg 500 12-gauge shotgun, as well as a gas mask, a pair of binoculars, two knives and survival harness. During his interview with police he bragged about his shooting skills and showed no remorse for what he had done.
The wives of the three slain men made the following statement:
"We are proud of the actions of our husbands, Doug, Dave and Fabrice. They did not hesitate to run to the danger in order to protect the community as a whole, their fellow officers, their neighbours and our families," they said. They expressed gratitude that with this lengthy sentence their children will never have to attend parole hearings and endure the horror of hearing the details of their fathers' deaths over and over.
After the verdict, the lawyer who had defended Bourke, David Lutz, was interviewed outside the courthouse and he used the opportunity to state his views on guns and it was a thing of beauty.
He pointed out that the weapons used were the kind used in Viet Nam. That they could kill from 250 metres, that the men never had a chance at that distance. He stated emphatically that no one who lives in a city needs that kind of gun. He pointed out that hunters don't even need that kind of gun. He spoke of right wing gun nuts and even mentioned Clive Bundy. I cheered his every word.
I hope that men like Mr. Lutz and all Canadians who agree with him will continue to speak up so that Canada will not repeat the American experience. We have had too much tragedy due to guns lately and it has to stop.
Justin Bourque will be eligible for parole when he is 99. I hope he lives to be 98.