Under brilliant blue skies and bathed in sunshine, 130 MPs, Senators, and Hill staffers descended upon the Stittsville Shooting Ranges for the 12th annual Parliamentary Day at the Range.
Picture this scene: These politicians and their staff – many holding a firearm for the very first time – discovered what 2.3 million licensed Canadian gun owners already know.
Target shooting is fun.
The 12th Annual Parliamentary Day at the Range is the greatest firearms advocacy initiative in the history of Canadian gun ownership. Nothing else even comes close.
But here’s what makes this event so revolutionary.
It’s not about politics. It’s about people.
The Moment of Change
“What do you mean this gun isn’t legal for me to buy? Why not?“
This question echoes across the range every year, and in that moment of genuine confusion, bridges are built. Understanding blooms.
The complex reality of Canada’s firearms legislation becomes crystal clear through hands-on experience rather than theoretical debate.
Media isn’t permitted at this event, by design.
Without cameras rolling and reporters scribbling, real conversations happen. Raw questions emerge. Authentic learning unfolds.
Politicians can drop their guard, ask the questions they’ve always wondered about, and discover truths that will inform their decisions for years to come.
The Power of One Shared Experience
The look on their faces says it all.
They experienced our culture of personal responsibility and safety firsthand.
They felt the weight of responsibility that comes with every trigger pull.
They witnessed the meticulous attention to detail, the unwavering commitment to safety, and the deep respect for both tradition and law that defines our community.
Every single attendee walks away with a smile and a story.
This isn’t just education. It’s transformation.
When they return to Parliament Hill, they retain the memory of sunshine on their faces, the satisfaction of hitting their target, and the profound realization that Canada’s firearms community represents something far greater than political talking points.
It’s about Canadian culture, Canadian heritage, and the traditions that helped found our nation; traditions that are worth defending.
A Legacy Built on Common Ground
The roots of this remarkable event trace back to 2006, when visionaries Garry Breitkreuz, Larry Bagnall, and Peter Stoffer—representing Conservative, Liberal, and NDP parties respectively—recognized that our differences pale in comparison to our shared values.
They founded the all-party Parliamentary Outdoor Caucus with a mission that transcends party lines: to preserve and promote fishing, hunting, trapping, and shooting sports as acceptable, traditional, and environmentally sustainable outdoor heritage activities.
Today, under the leadership of Co-Chair MP Bob Zimmer, Parliamentary Outdoors Caucus Association president Phil Morlock, and vice-president Tony Bernardo, this mission continues to unite rather than divide.
The Heroes Behind the Magic
None of this would be possible without the extraordinary generosity of our partners and volunteers, starting with Stittsville Shooting Ranges Inc.
Linda, Lisa, Ken, and the entire team at Stittsville Shooting Ranges don’t just host an event, they open up their facility and make this transformation possible.
And those 100+ volunteers?
They’re not just giving their time and expertise. They’re investing in the future of our community, one conversation, one demonstration, one shared moment at a time.
The wonderful folks at Black Iron Catering provided the food, which was exceptional, as always.
We also want to thank Stoeger Canada (Beretta, Benelli, Sako, Tikka), Coonhound Sales (Bear Archery, Feradyne Archery Targets), BOWMAC Gunpar, Compass Safari (Weatherby Firearms and Ammunition, Savage, Federal Ammunition, Bushnell Optics, Champion Targets) Mossberg Firearms, The Evans Group (Springfield Armoury, Sabatti), Drake Sales Agency (Browning, Winchester Firearms), Graywood Sales (Winchester Ammunition), Safari Club International, Canadian Sporting Arms and Ammunition Association, Firearms Outlet Canada and O’Dell Engineering for helping us make this day unforgettable.
We extend our sincere appreciation to the dedicated staff in MP Bob Zimmer’s office for their professional coordination of all logistics associated with this large-scale event. We also gratefully acknowledge the contributions of OCAC President Phil Morlock and his wife Angela, along with OCAC Committee members Tom Brooke and David Hutton, for their valuable support and efforts.
Finally, and by no means least, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the dedicated CSSA team — Tony Bernardo, Heather McConaghy, and Sandy Campeau, along with Board Members Mike Duynhoven, Mark Johnson, and Ken Nener, and Regional Directors Rob Alexander, Bill Martyn, and Ian Weston. Their invaluable support and contributions played a key role in making the day a great success.
The Ripple Effect
What happens when 130 influencers and decision-makers experience firsthand the responsibility, heritage, and culture of safety that defines legal gun ownership in Canada?
The ripple effects extend far beyond a single sunny day at the range.
Every question answered becomes a seed of understanding.
Every smile shared becomes a bridge across political divides.
Every moment of genuine connection becomes a foundation for informed, empathetic policy-making.
This is how real change happens. Not through heated debates or partisan rhetoric, but through shared experiences that reveal our common humanity.
Under clear skies and warm sunshine, hearts open. Minds shift. And the future of firearms advocacy in Canada gets a little brighter.
The 12th Annual Parliamentary Day at the Range wasn’t just a massive success. It was a masterclass in the power of personal connection to transform understanding, one heart and one mind at a time.
