By Guy Page

What happens when you live in a country without a Second Amendment under a government that wants to confiscate guns from peaceful gun owners? Vermonters need only look across the Quebec border.

Rebel Buzz reported yesterday that while Quebecers wait for a court to rule on a provincial government gun confiscation program, “Quebec police are targeting licensed gun owners in a different way. The Sûreté du Québec [i.e. the state police] has launched an initiative that sees officers contacting the spouses of licensed firearms owners to ask about possible domestic violence concerns.”

They are doing so absent any complaint or criminal charge. If you own a licensed  gun, and live with someone, the Sûreté are sure to target you with a ‘welfare check.’ 

Reporter Sheila Gunn Reid notes that “Canada already has extensive laws allowing authorities to intervene when there are genuine safety concerns. Police can seize firearms, licences can be suspended or revoked, courts can issue protection orders, and red-flag laws already allow firearms to be removed before violence occurs.”

Not unlike Vermont. The difference is that Vermont also has federal and state constitutions protecting the right to bear arms. And gun rights advocates such as the Vermont Federal of Sportsmen’s Clubs and Gun Owners of Vermont ready and willing to intervene with citizen activism, legislative advocacy and, if necessary, court challenges. 

Something to think about before claiming your Canadian citizenship and moving to La Prairie. And now, for some news on the First Amendment front…..

GOP Chair calls out Congress primary candidate for remarks to reporter – Following published remarks by candidate for Congress Mark Coester to Seven Days reporter Kevin McCallum, GOP Chair Paul Dame condemned the candidate for his ‘coarse, vulgar’ language.

Coester, the 2024 GOP nominee for Congress, and Malloy, a former GOP nominee for U.S. Senator, are candidates in the only Republican primary for a statewide race. The winner of the August primary will face Democrat incumbent Becca Balint – the subject of an AI-generated video (producer unknown) that Balint says is misleading and a reason the U.S. needs to restrict the use of AI in campaign advertising, but that Coester says is obviously a satire. 

Coester is quoted by Seven Days reporter Kevin McCallum as calling him a ‘libtard f**k’ and adding: “These commie f**ks in Vermont pass whatever garbage f**kin’ laws they want to,” he said. “They can do what and they can kiss my *** because I didn’t create the video and I didn’t pay for it.”

Dame addressed Coester’s profanity in an official statement Wednesday, bearing the headline “VTGOP Chair Condemns U.S. Congressional Candidate Mark Coester for “Coarse & Vulgar” Remarks:” “Mark Coester’s comments to the press were coarse and vulgar, and he should issue an immediate apology to the voters he claims he wants to represent. Vermonters expect their candidates to act professionally and with self-control. One of Rep. Becca Balint’s greatest weaknesses is her own unprofessional language. Balint was captured on video almost one year ago using the same vulgarity attributed to Coester when Balint was speaking publicly about immigrants. For Vermonters who want a return to the civility our state is known for, both Balint and Coester have disqualified themselves from representing our state at the federal level. While Washington, DC might be out of control, Vermonters need someone to represent us that can demonstrate basic self-control in their public speaking.”

At VDC’s request, Coester explained his comments via email last night: 

“I’m a hard-working Vermont logger. I’ve spent my life out in the woods, not in political circles. I speak plainly, and sometimes that means I don’t use the polished language that political consultants or reporters might prefer.

“If my choice of words offended some people, I understand that. But the truth is, my frustration doesn’t come from a bad place, it comes from watching families leave Vermont, small businesses close their doors, and hardworking people struggle while too many in Montpelier and Washington act like everything is fine.

“The real issue isn’t whether I used a word that isn’t establishment-friendly. The real issue is that Vermont is hurting. We’re losing young families. Property taxes keep climbing. Energy costs are rising. Employers can’t find workers. Communities that generations of Vermonters built are being pushed to the breaking point.

“Meanwhile, too much time is spent on political theater, media outrage, and distractions that don’t put food on the table or help a single Vermont family. I’m not a career politician. I’m a logger. I work with my hands. I say what I mean.

“Sometimes that may ruffle feathers, but my concern has always been for the people of this state, not for winning points with political insiders.

“Vermonters are tired of witch hunts, gotcha headlines, and endless outrage. They want honesty. They want leaders who will tell them the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable, and who will fight for solutions instead of soundbites.

“My language may not always be polished, but my intentions are clear. I care deeply about Vermont and the people who call it home.

“Let’s stop focusing on manufactured outrage and start talking about the challenges facing working families, seniors, small businesses, farmers, loggers, and taxpayers. That’s where my attention will remain.

“And while we’re talking about priorities, I have bigger concerns about members of the party establishment involving themselves in Republican primaries. That’s a conversation for another day.

“For now, I’ll stay focused on fighting for the hardworking Vermonters who feel like nobody in power is listening.”

“They deserve better, and I won’t apologize for standing up for them.”

VDC has reached out to McCallum for a comment. The exchange is the subject of a column by left-leaning columnist John Walters of the Vermont Political Observer.