Blake Brown
@rblakebrown.bsky.social
History Professor at Saint Mary's University & Adjunct Professor at Dalhousie's Schulich School of Law. Historian of Canadian law, gun control and medical malpractice. Profile: https://www.smu.ca/history/history-blake-brown.html
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Blake Brown
@rblakebrown.bsky.social
· Apr 16
The Federal Court of Appeal has unanimously dismissed a challenge to Ottawa’s ability to prohibit assault-style rifles. I had the privilege of serving as an expert witness in the litigation. For the decision see: decisions.fca-car.gc.ca/fca-caf/deci...
New article: "Closing the Knowledge Gap: Identifying Research Priorities for Firearm-Related Injury and Mortality in Canada" in the latest issue of the Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada. www.canada.ca/en/public-he...
Closing the knowledge gap: identifying research priorities for firearm-related injury and mortality in Canada, HPCDP: Vol 46(1), January 2026
Our objective was to identify knowledge gaps and research priorities to inform a national research agenda to prevent firearm-related injury and death.
www.canada.ca
January 20, 2026 at 7:43 PM
New article: "Closing the Knowledge Gap: Identifying Research Priorities for Firearm-Related Injury and Mortality in Canada" in the latest issue of the Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada. www.canada.ca/en/public-he...
Today was a historic day in the history of gun control in Canada, as Ottawa finally launched the buy-back program for assault-style firearms such as the AR-15 and Ruger Mini-14. See "Canada launches compensation program for banned assault-style firearms" globalnews.ca/news/1161798...
Canada launches compensation program for banned assault-style firearms - National | Globalnews.ca
Some provinces are opting out of Ottawa’s gun compensation program as critics call it costly and ineffective, while owners face a March 31, 2026 deadline.
globalnews.ca
January 17, 2026 at 11:43 PM
Today was a historic day in the history of gun control in Canada, as Ottawa finally launched the buy-back program for assault-style firearms such as the AR-15 and Ruger Mini-14. See "Canada launches compensation program for banned assault-style firearms" globalnews.ca/news/1161798...
Reposted by Blake Brown
The head of the GlobArms project, @azzab.bsky.social, has just had his article on French shooting societies in Third Republic France (1871-1914) published with the journal Contemporanea.
#globarms #gunhistory #Frenchhistory #euguns
#globarms #gunhistory #Frenchhistory #euguns
December 23, 2025 at 1:05 PM
The head of the GlobArms project, @azzab.bsky.social, has just had his article on French shooting societies in Third Republic France (1871-1914) published with the journal Contemporanea.
#globarms #gunhistory #Frenchhistory #euguns
#globarms #gunhistory #Frenchhistory #euguns
Reposted by Blake Brown
@azzab.bsky.social and @matteomillan.bsky.social's conference starts today! @rblakebrown.bsky.social inaugurates the workshop with a microhistorical investigation on a Toronto-based arms retailer.
December 18, 2025 at 9:07 AM
@azzab.bsky.social and @matteomillan.bsky.social's conference starts today! @rblakebrown.bsky.social inaugurates the workshop with a microhistorical investigation on a Toronto-based arms retailer.
Reposted by Blake Brown
Yesterday's lecture by @rblakebrown.bsky.social was a blast! And, since we're in the middle of the Christmas season, there were even references to Santa 🎅
December 18, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Yesterday's lecture by @rblakebrown.bsky.social was a blast! And, since we're in the middle of the Christmas season, there were even references to Santa 🎅
Reposted by Blake Brown
2) On December 18-19, we will host the workshop „New Perspectives on the History of Firearms: Global Markets, Gun Control and Gun Cultures in the Contemporary World” (click here for more information: www.dissgea.unipd.it/eu-guns-glob...)
December 13, 2025 at 4:49 PM
2) On December 18-19, we will host the workshop „New Perspectives on the History of Firearms: Global Markets, Gun Control and Gun Cultures in the Contemporary World” (click here for more information: www.dissgea.unipd.it/eu-guns-glob...)
Reposted by Blake Brown
1) On December 15, Prof. Blake Brown (@rblakebrown.bsky.social) from St Mary’s University (Canada) will deliver a guest lecture as part of Prof. Matteo Millan’s course „Politica e violenza in età contemporanea”, entitled „Canadian gun culture and firearm regulation, 1867-1935”.
December 13, 2025 at 4:49 PM
1) On December 15, Prof. Blake Brown (@rblakebrown.bsky.social) from St Mary’s University (Canada) will deliver a guest lecture as part of Prof. Matteo Millan’s course „Politica e violenza in età contemporanea”, entitled „Canadian gun culture and firearm regulation, 1867-1935”.
Reposted by Blake Brown
The Boer War (1899–1902) represented a crucial turning point in the education and leisure culture of the British youth. It encouraged the introduction of rifle shooting in schools and youth associations as well as the spread of miniature rifle clubs...
November 19, 2025 at 11:31 AM
The Boer War (1899–1902) represented a crucial turning point in the education and leisure culture of the British youth. It encouraged the introduction of rifle shooting in schools and youth associations as well as the spread of miniature rifle clubs...
Reposted by Blake Brown
We are very excited to share the news that a friend of the EU-GUNS & GlobArms projects and a former member of @matteomillan.bsky.social previous ERC project, Alessandro Saluppo, has just published his monograph on armed associations and political violence in Edwardian Britain (1901-1914).
November 12, 2025 at 1:45 PM
We are very excited to share the news that a friend of the EU-GUNS & GlobArms projects and a former member of @matteomillan.bsky.social previous ERC project, Alessandro Saluppo, has just published his monograph on armed associations and political violence in Edwardian Britain (1901-1914).
Reposted by Blake Brown
Saint Mary's history professor @rblakebrown.bsky.social quoted in @CBCNews story: “50 years later, an Ottawa high schooler’s violent unravelling still leaves deep scars." @smuarts.bsky.social www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
50 years later, an Ottawa high schooler’s violent unravelling still leaves deep scars | CBC News
Fifty years ago, two Ottawa high schools were rocked by the murders committed by a troubled student who then took his own life. As the anniversary approaches, CBC is looking back at the changes, both ...
www.cbc.ca
October 14, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Saint Mary's history professor @rblakebrown.bsky.social quoted in @CBCNews story: “50 years later, an Ottawa high schooler’s violent unravelling still leaves deep scars." @smuarts.bsky.social www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
It was pleasure providing historical context about the history of gun control for this @CBCNews story: “50 years later, an Ottawa high schooler’s violent unravelling still leaves deep scars." www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
50 years later, an Ottawa high schooler’s violent unravelling still leaves deep scars | CBC News
Fifty years ago, two Ottawa high schools were rocked by the murders committed by a troubled student who then took his own life. As the anniversary approaches, CBC is looking back at the changes, both ...
www.cbc.ca
October 14, 2025 at 4:17 PM
It was pleasure providing historical context about the history of gun control for this @CBCNews story: “50 years later, an Ottawa high schooler’s violent unravelling still leaves deep scars." www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Blake Brown
Today we present the PI of our other project, @azzab.bsky.social! Andrea Azzarelli directs GlobArms, a study of policing firearms trafficking in Italy, France, and the UK. #globarms #unipd #dissgea #dissgea_unipd
October 6, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Today we present the PI of our other project, @azzab.bsky.social! Andrea Azzarelli directs GlobArms, a study of policing firearms trafficking in Italy, France, and the UK. #globarms #unipd #dissgea #dissgea_unipd
Reposted by Blake Brown
In the last third of the 19th century, major technological changes transformed the world of small arms. The invention of bolt-action rifles and, more importantly, smokeless powder meant that governments had to adopt new military rifle models to avoid falling behind in the arms race.
September 24, 2025 at 12:20 PM
In the last third of the 19th century, major technological changes transformed the world of small arms. The invention of bolt-action rifles and, more importantly, smokeless powder meant that governments had to adopt new military rifle models to avoid falling behind in the arms race.
My latest article on the history of medical malpractice is in the new issue of the Canadian Journal of Health History (@utpjournals): "'The Massacre of the Tonsil': Tonsillectomies and Medical Malpractice in Mid-20th-Century Canada." #cdnhist Link: utppublishing.com/doi/10.3138/...
“The Massacre of the Tonsil”: Tonsillectomies and Medical Malpractice in Mid-20th-Century Canada | Canadian Journal of Health History
Abstract. Tonsillectomy was one of the most common surgeries in Canada in the mid-twentieth century. Tonsils received blame for many health problems, and advocates of the tonsillectomy said it was an important form of preventative medicine. However, like all surgeries, the procedure came with dangers. Only a small percentage of patients – most of whom were children – suffered injuries or died, but the large number of tonsillectomies meant that a substantial number of people experienced adverse outcomes. Plaintiffs who sued for medical malpractice faced a tort law system that made it extremely difficult to secure compensation. So long as the procedure was carried out with an ordinary level of skill and care, no compensation was typically available. This paper shows how Canadian law facilitated the use of tonsillectomy, and, in doing so, highlights the need to consider the role of judge-made law in the history of medicine.
utppublishing.com
June 5, 2025 at 2:44 PM
My latest article on the history of medical malpractice is in the new issue of the Canadian Journal of Health History (@utpjournals): "'The Massacre of the Tonsil': Tonsillectomies and Medical Malpractice in Mid-20th-Century Canada." #cdnhist Link: utppublishing.com/doi/10.3138/...
Reposted by Blake Brown
The outcome of the 2025 federal election could have major consequences on Canada’s gun control regime, Dr. @rblakebrown.bsky.social says in his latest piece in @theconversationca.bsky.social. #SMUHistory #Canada #legalhistory #cdnpoli #Elxn45
Where the parties stand on gun control in the Canadian federal election
Where the parties stand on gun control in the Canadian federal election
Gun control hasn’t been a big issue during the 2025 election like it was in 2021. But it’s still important to assess the gun policies of the two parties leading in the polls.
theconversation.com
April 21, 2025 at 7:06 PM
The outcome of the 2025 federal election could have major consequences on Canada’s gun control regime, Dr. @rblakebrown.bsky.social says in his latest piece in @theconversationca.bsky.social. #SMUHistory #Canada #legalhistory #cdnpoli #Elxn45
The outcome of the 2025 federal election could have major consequences on Canada’s gun control regime. See my latest in the @theconversationca.bsky.social: "Where the parties stand on gun control in the Canadian federal election" Link: theconversation.com/where-the-pa... #cdnpoli #Elxn45
Where the parties stand on gun control in the Canadian federal election
Gun control hasn’t been a big issue during the 2025 election like it was in 2021. But it’s still important to assess the gun policies of the two parties leading in the polls.
theconversation.com
April 21, 2025 at 2:07 PM
The outcome of the 2025 federal election could have major consequences on Canada’s gun control regime. See my latest in the @theconversationca.bsky.social: "Where the parties stand on gun control in the Canadian federal election" Link: theconversation.com/where-the-pa... #cdnpoli #Elxn45
The Federal Court of Appeal has unanimously dismissed a challenge to Ottawa’s ability to prohibit assault-style rifles. I had the privilege of serving as an expert witness in the litigation. For the decision see: decisions.fca-car.gc.ca/fca-caf/deci...
April 16, 2025 at 2:17 AM
The Federal Court of Appeal has unanimously dismissed a challenge to Ottawa’s ability to prohibit assault-style rifles. I had the privilege of serving as an expert witness in the litigation. For the decision see: decisions.fca-car.gc.ca/fca-caf/deci...
Chance that I’ll be attending an academic conference in the United States any time soon: 0.0000%.
February 19, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Chance that I’ll be attending an academic conference in the United States any time soon: 0.0000%.
“Restorative Lab Awarded $1 Million by Research Nova Scotia for Community‑Focused Research Project” See: www.dal.ca/faculty/law/...
Restorative Lab Awarded $1 Million by Research Nova Scotia for Community‑Focused Research Project
www.dal.ca
January 29, 2025 at 4:42 PM
“Restorative Lab Awarded $1 Million by Research Nova Scotia for Community‑Focused Research Project” See: www.dal.ca/faculty/law/...
Reposted by Blake Brown
A Halifax man faces 25 charges after police assisting with a Lunenburg Co. medical call noticed someone wearing body armour. Officers then searched the property and found multiple illegal weapons and paraphernalia. Joel Isaiah Hallier appears in court next month, says an anonymous RCMP press release
Lunenburg County District RCMP charge a man with numerous weapons offences | Royal Canadian Mounted Police
www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca
December 17, 2024 at 1:12 PM
A Halifax man faces 25 charges after police assisting with a Lunenburg Co. medical call noticed someone wearing body armour. Officers then searched the property and found multiple illegal weapons and paraphernalia. Joel Isaiah Hallier appears in court next month, says an anonymous RCMP press release
“Liberal government adds hundreds of firearm models to list of banned weapons” via CBC News www.cbc.ca/amp/1.7402187
Liberal government adds hundreds of firearm models to list of banned weapons
Louis Blouin, Darren Major - CBC News
www.cbc.ca
December 5, 2024 at 10:52 PM
“Liberal government adds hundreds of firearm models to list of banned weapons” via CBC News www.cbc.ca/amp/1.7402187
I had the pleasure of serving as an expert witness in a Federal Court case concerning Ottawa’s 2020 decision to prohibit some assault-style rifles. The government won at trial. You can register to watch the appeal on Dec 9 here via Zoom: cas-satj.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
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November 29, 2024 at 2:36 PM
I had the pleasure of serving as an expert witness in a Federal Court case concerning Ottawa’s 2020 decision to prohibit some assault-style rifles. The government won at trial. You can register to watch the appeal on Dec 9 here via Zoom: cas-satj.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Reposted by Blake Brown
Reposted by Blake Brown
Reposted by Blake Brown
The Canadian Law and Society Association annual conference will be held next June 11-13 in Saskatoon! Please share with your networks.
November 18, 2024 at 12:22 AM
The Canadian Law and Society Association annual conference will be held next June 11-13 in Saskatoon! Please share with your networks.