Instagram post, homemade firearms lead to 4 year sentence for Saskatchewan man

WATCH: A Regina man has pleaded guilty to a pair of firearm related charges, which included two partially homemade 3D printed firearms.

A Regina man has been sentenced to four years behind bars with credit for time served over a pair of firearms charges over an illegal handgun sale and partially 3D printed weapons.

Dalton Fisher, a former reservist with the Canadian Armed Forces, pleaded guilty to charges relating to the manufacturing and transfer of firearms in 2023.

The investigation began with a social media post on Fisher’s Instagram account that raised the suspicion of authorities, in which he reposted a photo relating to then-Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland with the caption “I wanna murk this thing so badly,” although it’s unclear if Fisher wrote the caption or simply reposted it from somewhere else.

“The Court notes that ‘murk’ refers in common parlance to an abbreviated reference to being a mercenary. In other words, to murder that person,” a provincial court decision dated Dec. 18 said.

Additional searches of Fisher’s social media profile disclosed additional photos of the offender adorned in various paramilitary garb, including one where he is seen with what the Crown described as an “assault-style” rifle (or an airsoft toy fashioned to look like said rifle).

As part of larger efforts to crack down on 3D printed firearms, authorities were also investigating an American national who was exporting gun parts into Canada for future sale to people who could then combine the metal parts with 3D printed ones to build a “rudimentary illegal pistol. Investigators found that Fisher bought 11 gun rail kits from the Montreal-based seller. That, combined with the social media post, led to several searches of Fisher’s residence.

“Fisher can fairly be described as a firearm enthusiast,” the decision said. “Before the subject offenses occurred, he lawfully acquired many firearms and imitation ‘airsoft-style’ toys and by all accounts was an otherwise lawful and safe firearms owner.”

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The searches found a large arsenal of ordinance and firearms, though many were purchased and owned legally with Fisher’s Restricted Position and Acquisition License (RPAL). The charges do not stem from his collection of guns, but rather 3D printed weapons and the illegal handgun sale.

“The parties agree that the offences are not mere administrative offences or slight lapses in compliance with firearms rules,” the decision said. “This case deals with a young man who flouted the established Canadian handgun licensing regime for profit.”

Upon his arrest, Fisher provided a confession to police where he admitted to building six 3D printed firearms that resemble Glock handguns and the illegal sale.

“Fisher has also acknowledged that he sold two of these manufactured firearms and that these firearms have not yet been recovered,” the court decision said. “In addition, Fisher has also acknowledged selling a restricted handgun that he had previously purchased lawfully by virtue of his restricted Possession and Acquisition Certificate. That firearm has not been recovered by police.”

Addressing the court, Fisher expressed embarrassment for his conduct and social media statements and accepted responsibility.

“He did not attempt to minimize his role in the manufacture and sale of the firearms in question,” the judge wrote. “In fact, Fisher eloquently summarized his belief that his own actions would have cascading restricting effects towards law-abiding Canadian firearms owners in the future.”

The judge added that Fisher’s time on remand has caused him to reflect and consider his future.

In total, Fisher will serve four years with credit for time served from his detention in June 2023: three years for the illegal sale and one year for manufacturing firearms. A 10 year weapon prohibition order along with other restrictions are also included in the sentence.