Twenty years after Dawson College shooting, survivors demand PM Carney act on gun control
An open letter from survivors and families calls on the Prime Minister to complete an assault-weapons buyback and close handgun loopholes, citing unfulfilled campaign promises.
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Survivors and families of the Dawson College shooting have called on Prime Minister Mark Carney to fulfill campaign promises on gun control, framing the 20th anniversary of the attack as a moment for action rather than further delay.
On September 13, 2006, a gunman opened fire at Dawson College, a CEGEP in downtown Montréal. One person died at the scene and 19 were injured. Police killed the gunman during the attack.
In an open letter released ahead of the anniversary, survivors and families including Louise De Sousa — whose daughter Anastasia, 18, was killed — demand three things: a complete assault-style firearms ban with removal from circulation, closure of loopholes allowing large-capacity magazines, and strengthened oversight of handgun exemptions.
The letter states that "your government has made clear commitments" and frames the anniversary as "an opportunity to honour the victims of Dawson College with action — not further consultations, delays or excuses."
Carney promised during the last election to "quickly reinvigorate" and "complete" an assault-weapons buyback program. The Beretta CX4 Storm was prohibited in 2020, yet many assault-style firearm models remain in civilian hands. Survivors and families have pressed successive governments on this issue since 2006. The letter's release signals continued pressure on the Carney Liberals to move beyond announcements.
When does the amnesty extension for prohibited firearms expire, and what happens to those weapons after?
Why has only half the estimated assault weapons been registered for buyback since the program began?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
When did the Dawson College shooting occur?
The shooting took place on September 13, 2006, at Dawson College, a CEGEP in downtown Montréal.
How many people were killed and injured in the Dawson College shooting?
One person died at the scene and 19 were injured. Police killed the gunman during the attack.
What three demands did survivors and families make in their open letter?
They called for a complete assault-style firearms ban with removal from circulation, closure of loopholes allowing large-capacity magazines, and strengthened oversight of handgun exemptions.
