amandasgramma, you will NOT be arrested if you declare your handguns, but you will not be able to cross the border with them, unless you have the correct permit.
The government website seems to imply that as long as the handgun is not in the PROHIBITED category, you can get the permit. From what I have read here over the years, there is a very short list of reasons for which they will issue the permit, a registered shooting match is the most common one.
I am in no way an authority on this, so double check this before you arrive at the border.
