Canada Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers Hailed Hero Over Gun Attack - NBC News
Kevin Vickers Was Not Carrying A Gun
The Canadian Sergeant-At-Arms was lauded by the members of the Commons with two standing ovations today. Like the start of every session, the Speaker's procession entered the chamber with Kevin Vikers carrying the Mace which symbolizes the authority of the Speaker and the right conferred on the Commons by the Crown to meet and pass laws.
All the Members spontaneously rose and applauded. Kevin Vickers was obviously moved.
Later when the Canadian national anthem was sung, a tear could be seen on his cheek. Then, in a breach of precedent, the Prime Minister thanked him at the end of his speech, went over to him to thank him and then embraced the leaders of the two main opposition parties. Members once again applauded the man who had stood on guard for them.
No doubt the NRA will attempt to show how this proves how the "good guy with a gun" was able to defeat the bad guy and therefore open carry is justified. In reality, when the incident started, Kevin Vickers was only armed with his ceremonial sword. He does not carry a gun in the normal course of his duties but keeps one in his office safely under lock and key:
So let's be clear, in the normal course of his duties, the person in charge of security for the Canadian House of Commons does not carry a gun. Of course guns are used by the Commons and Senate security staff and the RCMP who are responsible for the external security. Vickers' counterpart in the Canadian Senate, responsible for the security of that chamber is the Usher of the Black Rod.
The Sergeant-At-Arms for the Commons is responsible for the security of the House in a tradition that goes back to January 4, 1642.
