Shooting survivor objects to coalition’s promotion

A mass shooting survivor and spokesperson for guncontrol group PolySeSouvient says it is “incredibly disrespectful” for firearm rights advocates to invoke the group’s name in a merchandise sale discount code.

The Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights’ online shop recently offered 10 per cent off clothing, mugs and other items to customers who used “POLY” as a promo code.

A gunman killed 14 women at Montreal’s École Polytechnique on Dec. 6, 1989.

Nathalie Provost, who was shot four times during the rampage, is now spokesperson for PolySeSouvient, a group that includes graduates and students of the school who press for stricter gun laws.

Provost said it is not surprising the coalition did the sales promotion so close to the Polytechnique anniversary, given it has dismissed the event as an anomaly that does not warrant changing gun laws.

Tracey Wilson, a firearm rights coalition spokesperson, said the promotion is not about the tragedy, but PolySeSouvient’s Twitter account, which has referred to coalition supporters as gun trolls.

“We want a reduction to crime, violence and gun smuggling — they want a reduction in legal gun ownership,” Wilson said.

Provost said that as the anniversary approaches, PolySeSouvient is particularly focused on the gun file as MPs study a government bill that would enshrine a definition of prohibited assault-style firearms, a ban for which the group has been fighting for 33 years.

The coalition for firearm rights and Conservative MPs have denounced the move as an attack on law-abiding, licensed gun owners.