Publication date: Jul 4, 2022 • 6 hours ago • 3 min read Canadian special forces are getting a new pistol, but their leaders claim details about the weapon are secret despite earlier claims that it was the Sig Sauer P320 pistol. This photo shows the P320 in use by the US military. Photo by Senior Airman Hunter Hires /177th Fighter Wing – NJ Air Nati

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Canada’s commandos are getting a new pistol, but the exact type is now considered a state secret.

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Except for anyone, that is, who has access to the internet and can read details of the Canadian Special Forces’ $680,425 purchase of the SIG Sauer P320 pistol. The ongoing saga of the now-secret handgun began in November 2020 after a member of the counter-terrorism unit, Joint Task Force 2, accidentally shot himself with a SIG Sauer P320 during training in Ottawa. Taxpayers had already spent $680,425 to buy the new weapons, and the commandos were in the process of familiarizing themselves with the weapons. The incident, which resulted in a flesh wound, led to a temporary halt to Canadian special forces training with the P320, a development reported by the CBC in February 2021. At the same time, SIG Sauer issued a statement noting that “was working with Canadian Special Operations Forces Command to resolve an incident involving the accidental discharge of a P320.”

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The weapon in question had been extensively tested and found to be safe, the company noted. “The investigation revealed the use of an incorrect holster not designed for a P320,” SIG Sauer added in its statement. Fast forward to last week, when the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command released a statement announcing that it was now moving forward with the commissioning of its new pistol. He acknowledged the initial shooting incident, but an investigation had ruled the new gun was safe and working properly. However, in a new twist, the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command has declared the exact type of weapon secret, despite statements and news articles identifying the pistol as a SIG Sauer P320. In response to questions from this newspaper about the decision to now claim secrecy about the P320, the special forces said they have a policy of not revealing details about the weapons or their capabilities.

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This claim, however, is false as the leaders of the Canadian special forces not only discussed with the media about purchases of special equipment, but the command released photos of this equipment to the public. It’s not the first time, however, that Canada’s special forces have invoked secrecy in an odd way. In the late 1990s, JTF2 tried unsuccessfully to claim that if this newspaper revealed that the unit had purchased silverware for its dining facilities at its Dwyer Hill base, then Canada’s security would be threatened. Defense members are confused because Lt.-Gen. Steve Boivin, head of the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, now claims that the SIG Sauer P320 pistols are secret when the details of the purchase are public. Some suggest it could be the result of a desire to limit publicity over the shame of a JTF2 soldier accidentally shooting himself.

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Canada’s special forces have been in the news recently. In May, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced questions in the House of Commons when it was revealed that special forces used an aircraft equipped with surveillance equipment during the so-called “Freedom Accord” protests in Ottawa, despite a military directive prohibiting such activities. Military sources, concerned that the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command was trying to cover up its activities, revealed details of the flight to this newspaper. National Defense finally confirmed the special forces flights. Earlier this year, this newspaper revealed that two active members of JTF2 had taken part in the convoy demonstrations. Military personnel claimed that some active-duty members of JTF2 had openly expressed anti-vaccination and anti-government views while working at the Dwyer Hill counterterrorism training center. Some of those anti-government views were aimed specifically at Trudeau and focused particularly on the government’s liberal gun control policies, they claimed. The sources said they decided to come forward because Canadian Special Operations Forces Command knew about anti-government activities in some parts of JTF2 but had done little to address them. A military investigation has been launched, but it is unclear what, if any, action was taken.

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