Canadian troops to get a new pistol, but the exact type is a secret — except for those who have internet access

Canadian troops are new Although it is a pistol, the exact type is now considered a state secret.

Except for those who have internet access and can read more about the $ 680,425 purchase of the SIGSauer P320 pistol by the Canadian Special Forces.

The ongoing story of a secret pistol is November 2020, after Joint Task Force 2, a member of the Counter Terrorist Unit, accidentally shot himself with the SIG Sauer P320 during training in Ottawa. It started in. Taxpayers have already spent $ 680,425 to buy new guns, and Commando was in the process of getting used to the weapons.

The carnivorous incident prompted a temporary suspension of training for the Canadian Special Forces by the P320, a development reported by the CBC in February 2021. At the same time, SIG Sauer issued a statement pointing out that. "We worked with the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command to resolve an incident involving the unintended release of the P320."

The gun in question has been extensively tested and safe. It turned out, the company said. "Investigation revealed the use of incorrect holsters that were not designed for the P320," SIG Sauer added in a statement.

Last week, the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command issued a statement announcing the start of use of the new pistol. It acknowledged the first shooting, but investigations determined that the new pistol was safe and functioning properly.

But with a new twist, Canadian Special Operations Forces Command declares the exact type of gun a secret, despite statements and news articles identifying the pistol as a SIG Sauer P320. did. In response to a question from this newspaper about the decision to claim the P320's secret, the special forces said it had a policy of not disclosing details about its weapons and abilities.

However, not only did Canadian special forces leaders discuss the purchase of news media-specific equipment, but the command made a photo of the gear publicly available, so the claim was made. It's a mistake.

But this is not the first time Canadian special forces have used secrets in strange ways. In the late 1990s, the JTF2 attempted to claim that Canada's safety would be jeopardized if the newspaper revealed that the unit had purchased silverware for a dining facility at Dwyer Hill, but failed.

Defense officials are confused by Maj.-Gen. Steve Boyvin, Head of Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, claims that the SIGSauer P320 pistol is a secret if the purchase details are publicly available. Some have suggested that it may be the result of wanting to limit publicity about the embarrassment of JTF2 soldiers accidentally shooting themselves.

Canadian special forces have recently been in the news. In May, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said special forces had operated an aircraft equipped with surveillance equipment in response to a so-called "free convoy" protest in Ottawa, despite military directives banning such activities. Faced a question at the Commonwealth House when it became clear. Military sources concerned that the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command is trying to hide its activities have revealed details of the flight to the newspaper. Defense finally confirmed the flight of special forces.

Earlier this year, the newspaper revealed that two JTF2 serving members had participated in a convoy protest. Military personnel claimed that some JTF2 military personnel publicly expressed vaccination and government opposition while working at the Dwyer Hill Counterterrorism Training Center. They argued that some of those anti-government views were specifically directed at Trudeau, especially the Liberal government's gun control policy. Sources said the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command knew about anti-government activities in some areas of the JTF2, but decided to move forward because it did little to counter it. A military investigation has begun, but it is unclear what action was taken, if any.