New gun law spares semi-automatic rifle used in Saanich bank shooting – Peninsula News Review
January 30, 2024
SKS rifle unaffected by Bill C-21 despite its use in high-profile police and civilian killings
When two Vancouver Island brothers entered the Bank of Montreal in Saanich two summers ago, each was armed with a semi-automatic rifle featuring an extended magazine.
It wasn’t a typical robbery as security footage showed the brothers being in no rush as they took hostage those unlucky enough to be inside the bank at the time.
Law enforcement agencies believe that was because Mathew and Isaac Auchterlonie had a specific goal in mind – to draw in a large response so they could inflict as many police casualties as possible. After 16 minutes, the brothers walked outside and encountered six responding officers, leading to a barrage of bullets being traded outside the bank.
