RCMP Reacts to Claims by Montana AG About Gun Show Surveillance Request Received from Canadian Authorities

Montana’s attorney general recently mentioned receiving a request from the RCMP to conduct surveillance at upcoming gun shows in the state. While the Mounties did not confirm attending, they emphasized their efforts to combat firearms trafficking across borders without targeting legal gun owners.

Attorney General Austin Knudsen expressed strong opposition to the RCMP’s request for surveillance at gun shows in Bozeman and Kalispell, stating that his agencies would not participate.

The RCMP responded by highlighting their role in cross-border efforts against illegal firearms smuggling but refrained from confirming their attendance at the specific Montana gun shows.

RCMP spokesperson Camille Boily-Lavoie emphasized the cooperation between U.S. and Canadian agencies to combat illegal firearms smuggling and stated that the RCMP does not interfere with lawful gun ownership activities.

Knudsen’s opposition to RCMP surveillance at gun shows stems from a previous incident at a gun show in Great Falls, Montana, where he alleges RCMP officers conducted surveillance without proper notification.

Sheriff Jesse Slaughter intervened and requested the RCMP officers to leave the county, highlighting the lack of transparency regarding their presence.

Knudsen also criticized Canada’s political leadership, specifically Justin Trudeau, stating that he would not allow foreign surveillance on American soil.

Statistics show a significant portion of illegally obtained firearms in Canada originate from the United States. Montana’s lenient gun laws, compared to Canada, have also raised concerns about cross-border issues surrounding firearms.

These concerns have further intensified following threats of tariffs from U.S. President Trump against Canada and Mexico if they fail to address illegal migration and drug trafficking into the United States.