Secrecy and accountability ‘can coexist’: groups push for Tumbler Ridge gun details

Five gun control advocacy groups are urging the RCMP to disclose details about the firearms used in the mass shooting that occurred in Tumbler Ridge, B.C. on February 10. The groups argue that public discussion of the specifics could help prevent future tragedies, despite the RCMP's refusal to reveal operational details. The letter, sent to RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme, requests information on the guns' make, model, type, classification, and legal status, as well as details about magazines, prohibited devices, ammunition, and accessories used in the shootings at a home and school.

The groups stress that they do not seek operational details, witness accounts, or investigative tactics that could prejudice a legal process. They emphasize the importance of transparency to maintain public trust, prevent misinformation, and facilitate informed debates about potential policy changes to increase public safety from gun violence.