Montana AG Austin Knudsen opposes RCMP surveillance at gun shows
- Austin Knudsen has received a request from the RCMP to conduct surveillance at gun shows in Bozeman and Kalispell.
- Knudsen considers the request inappropriate, potentially illegal, and he is prepared to consult legal action against the federal government.
- The situation reflects ongoing tensions regarding cross-border crime and firearm-related issues between the U.S. and Canada.
Montana, a U.S. state that shares a border with Canada, has seen rising tensions regarding gun control and cross-border crime. Recently, Austin Knudsen, the Montana Attorney General, disclosed that he received a request from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) seeking to surveil two upcoming gun shows in Bozeman and Kalispell. Knudsen is adamant about preventing the RCMP from conducting this surveillance, stating that it is 'inappropriate' and 'probably illegal.' He is willing to take legal action against the U.S. federal government if necessary to protect the rights of Montanans. This situation follows a similar incident two years prior when an undercover RCMP officer conducted surveillance at a gun show in Great Falls without informing local law enforcement. Cascade County Sheriff Jesse Slaughter indicated that such operations could lead to international incidents, underscoring the need for U.S. and Canadian agencies to coordinate better on cross-border issues. These tensions are further exacerbated by statistics showing that a significant proportion of firearms used in crimes in Canada come from the U.S., with 70 percent of traced guns used in Ontario crimes in 2021 originating from the United States. Montana has relatively relaxed gun laws that allow individuals to purchase guns without a license and carry them openly or concealed, raising concerns about how the RCMP's surveillance could affect local freedoms and state laws. Knudsen, who has a strong interest in firearms, criticized Canadian federal leadership in a radio interview and expressed sympathy for Canadians facing stricter gun laws. He even invited residents from Canadian provinces like Saskatchewan and Alberta to relocate to Montana. The involvement of federal agencies like the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the FBI in any joint operations with the RCMP indicates a larger framework of law enforcement cooperation that may impact local governance and public opinion in Montana.