For those that think the rules and penalties for "forgetting" to declare a firearm when entering Canada are harsh please keep in mind that the laws governing the importation of undeclared firearms into the USA are about the same as Canada.
Penalties for Canadians who "forget" to declare weapons when entering the US include forfeiture of the vehicle they are in, jail time and steep financial penalties as well as a life time ban on future visits to the US.
The US Homeland Security do not look favorably on smuggling weapons into the US and rightly so! Canada takes the same position.
Given the **** taking place in our world today who can blame any country for treating undeclared weapons as a serious offence?
Even if I declare a weapon when entering the US there are very limited circumstances when I would be allowed to bring it with me.
I would need to be on a pre-booked hunting trip (with proof), travelling to a recognized shooting competition or a law enforcement officer on duty. If I say the weapon is for personal protection I will be asked to return to Canada and leave it home. Guess what?? Those are the same circumstances that apply to US citizens when entering Canada with a declared weapon.
Rant over - just thought I should point out the laws for both countries are close to mirror images of each other.
