Dennis R. Young: 1947 – January 15, 2021
Dennis R. Young, Canada’s foremost firearms researcher, passed into glory on the evening of January 15, 2021, after a second lengthy battle with cancer.
Dennis is survived by his wife Hazel, their children Jennifer and Steven, and their three grandchildren, and his brothers Kim Young and Gordon Young, sisters Ardyth Tait and Merle Lynn Watson.
A Devoted Husband
Dennis is perhaps best known for his devotion and dedication to his wife Hazel, who was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis in 1985.
“Dennis’s faithfulness to his wife was a shining example to all of us in our marriages,” said Garry Breitkreuz, former Conservative MP for Yorkton—Melville. “Lydia and I would go over to his home for dinner once in a while and we’d see his dedication to Hazel. His love for her was awesome to witness.”
A Tireless Advocate for Gun Owners
Dennis Young’s name is also synonymous with 2012’s “Ending the Long-gun Registry Act.”
“Dennis worked tirelessly behind the scenes to uncover all the facts the government tried its hardest to keep hidden from the public. Without his efforts, the whole gun registry fiasco would never have been exposed,” said Garry Breitkreuz.
“He was very loyal and absolutely fantastic to work with.”
“I think we might still have a long-gun registry if it hadn’t been for the work that Dennis Young did over all those years in Ottawa,” Jason Kenney said at an Alberta town hall meeting on October 10, 2017.
After retiring in 2007, Dennis Young continued his work as an independent researcher on firearms-related issues and published the results of all his Access to Information efforts on his website, DennisRYoung.ca.
Dennis Young’s legacy does not end with his death, thankfully. At Dennis Young’s request, author and current events commentator Christopher di Armani took over responsibility for Dennis Young’s website and continuing his decades-long ATIP program.
Dennis was an Honourary Life Member of the Canadian Shooting Sports Association (CSSA), the National Firearms Association (NFA) and a Member of the Calgary RCMP Veterans Association.
Canadian Shooting Sports Association
“Canada’s firearms community is greatly diminished by the passing of Dennis Young,” said Tony Bernardo, Executive Director of the CSSA.
“Over the last 25 years, I have been proud to count Dennis as a comrade-in-arms and as a trusted friend. His tireless commitment to truth and honesty was a signpost that always pointed to the high road.”
“The CSSA is in mourning. Dennis Young will not be forgotten,” Bernardo said.
National Firearms Association
“Dennis Young was a life member of Canada’s National Firearms Association and the Canadian Shooting Sports Association,” said NFA president Sheldon Clare. “He was granted those honours because he worked hard for decades to fight for the rights of Canadian firearms owners, and thus benefitted the public at large.”
“Dennis was a great researcher – bureaucrats trembled at the volume and quality of his access to information requests over matters affecting firearm rights, and over the infamous High River gun grab. His humble yet vigorous efforts, without compensation or favour, were inspiring.”
“As a former Mountie, Dennis had tremendous respect for the law but hated to see process abused. After he left parliamentary service, Dennis continued to research and find information benefitting firearm rights, all while supporting his beloved wife Hazel in her struggle with MS.”
“I am pleased that we were able to host Dennis on a recent NFATalk programme and thank him directly for all of his service on our community’s behalf.”
Funeral Service
There will be a private family service held for Dennis Young in Calgary. The family requests their privacy be respected so they can mourn the loss of their loved one.
DENNIS YOUNG MOVED AND HOPEFULLY MENDING
NEW HOME ADDRESS
NEW HOME PHONE
CELL PHONE
MEDICAL UPDATE ON DENNIS
WEBSITE MANAGEMENT
FIREARMS LICENSE HOLDERS HALF AS LIKELY TO COMMIT A HOMICIDE By Dr. Caillin Langmann, M.D. Ph.D.
FIREARMS LICENCE HOLDERS HALF AS LIKELY TO COMMIT A HOMICIDE – So the weighted firearm homicide rate by licenced firearm holders is actually 0.375, approximately half that of the average Canadian population. This takes into consideration that most licenced firearms holders are male and males tend to commit homicide more than females. By Dr. Caillin Langmann, M.D. Ph.D. FRCPC ABEM, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, McMaster University – September 26, 2018 https://www.facebook.com/caillin.langmann/posts/10156537056191006
MATT GURNEY: DATA SHOWS TORONTO’S GUN ‘SURGE’ NEVER HAPPENED
COMMENTARY: Data shows Toronto’s gun ‘surge’ never happened
EXCERPT #1: Earlier this summer — a summer that has seen Toronto wracked by gun violence — a report came out that suggested lawful Canadian gun owners were to blame for at least some of the violence. The article was originally published by the Canadian Press, and was widely republished elsewhere, including at the CBC, the National Post, a dozen local newspapers, CTV News, and, yes, here at Global News. Since then, it has been widely cited in other news stories covering the issue, including in The Toronto Star and The Globe and Mail. The report was everywhere. Here’s the problem. Newly released stats show clearly that it was wrong.
EXCERPT #2: This CP article’s central claim has been at the centre of our gun control debate this summer, and has been cited as a secondary source … I don’t even know how many times. But the article’s central claim, of a surge in domestic crime guns, is bad. Inaccurate. Wrong. And that bad, inaccurate and wrong information is now at the core of an important and contentious public policy debate.
By Matt Gurney, Radio Host, 640 Toronto – Global News September 6, 2018 https://globalnews.ca/news/4428617/matt-gurney-toronto-gun-crime-statistics/
MARK TOWHEY: WHERE ARE THE GUNS COMING FROM?
MARK TOWHEY: WHERE ARE THE GUNS COMING FROM? Mark takes issue with stats released by Toronto Police Service about the surge in “crime guns”. Dennis R Young, an independent researcher on firearms related issues joins Mark to discuss. By MARK TOWHEY, Newstalk 1010 – Sunday, September 2nd 2018 – 4:36 pm
https://twitter.com/TheGunBlog/status/1036867374979239936
http://www.iheartradio.ca/newstalk-1010/audio/mark-towhey-september-2-2018-where-are-the-guns-coming-from-1.7240202?mode=Article&autoplay=1.7240202
Toronto Police Service ‘Crime Gun’ Statistics 2007-2017 https://dennisryoung.ca/2018/08/30/toronto-police-release-crime-gun-stats-2007-2017/
TRUDEAU DIRECTS BILL BLAIR TO STUDY A ‘FULL BAN ON HANDGUNS’
Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction Mandate Letter (August 28, 2018)
EXCERPT: “You should lead an examination of a full ban on handguns and assault weapons in Canada, while not impeding the lawful use of firearms by Canadians.”
STILL WAITING FOR PCO TO RELEASE BILL C-68 CABINET SECRETS
WHAT’S THE HOLD-UP? PRIVY COUNCIL OFFICE HAS HAD MORE THAN A YEAR TO PROVIDE BILL C-68 CABINET DOCUMENTS By Dennis R. Young – August 24, 2018
CBC ‘CRIME GUN’ ANALYSIS WITH ADDITIONAL RESEARCH LINKS
Additional supporting documentation for CBCs Evan Dyer’s: Canada can’t say where its crime guns are coming from
Additional URL Links added by Dennis R. Young – August 13, 2018