Éric Pauget
Role at the time: Sponsor of Bill 691 and member of the National Assembly
Defended or excused
Statement summary
Pauget defended the proposed presumption as a legal shield for officers who use firearms in threatening situations, while rejecting the characterization that it would grant impunity.
“Il s’agit, par la loi, de créer un bouclier juridique sécurisant le cadre d’usage des armes de ceux faisant face à une menace. Mais la présomption n’est pas l’impunité.”
Read the original text (opens in a new tab)Éric Pauget remarks on Bill 691, January 22, 2026Discussion générale, Éric Pauget intervention
Official verbatim National Assembly record. The bill’s sponsor argued that a presumption would protect officers facing danger and legal uncertainty, while stating that it would not amount to impunity.
Why we used this label
He authored the proposal and expressly argued for the presumption as a protective legal measure. That is direct support for the fixed reference point.