Failing to Declare a Firearm at Canadian Border Crossings

[RangerJay]

This is taken from today's Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal.

Border officials deal with rash of guns at Port of Entry

Saturday, July 4, 2015
Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal

A Missouri man has a court date in Fort Frances later this month to deal with charges following yet another seizure of a handgun at the town’s border crossing by Canadian inspectors. It’s the eighth time a gun has been seized at the Fort Frances border so far this year, compared to three seizures for all of 2014.

Border investigators said they found a loaded .22 calibre revolver in the glove compartment of the man’s truck during a search on June 24 during an attempt to enter Ontario.

He was later charged under the federal Customs Act with non-report of goods, wilful evasion, possession of illegally imported goods and smuggling, a Canada Border Services Agency said in a news release on Friday.

CBSA spokesman Chris Kealey said the number of handgun seizures at the Fort Frances border varies from year to year. “Keeping firearms out of our community is our highest priority, so it’s something we’re focused on all the time,” Kealey said.

The accused was released on a US$300 recognizance. He is to appear in court on July 27.

The lesson here is that failing to declare a firearm at a Canadian Border Crossing is a big deal.


Jay

[garyhaupt]

cruiserjs wrote:
"... we carried a rifle,supposedly to use while hunting ..." So you lied and now you brag about it???
Too many scoff-laws in this world IMHO!

Yeah..I am kinda on-board wiith cruisersjs on this. What you just said sets off all kinds of stupid thoughts in other heads.


Gary Haupt

[cruiserjs]

"... we carried a rifle,supposedly to use while hunting ..." So you lied and now you brag about it???
Too many scoff-laws in this world IMHO!

[Old-Biscuit]

US to Canada, US to Mexico, Canada to US or Mexico to US.
Each country has Border Agents/Customs for reasons.
Follow the RULES

Rules for Bringing a Firearm into the U.S.

If you want to visit the United States with guns or ammunition, you will need a permit from the ATF. This applies even if you are a diplomat, foreign law enforcement agent, or hunter.

As of 2014, you will need to fill out ATF Form 6NIA to receive a permit. This is also called ATF Form 5330.3D Application/Permit for Temporary Importation of Firearms and Ammunition by Nonimmigrant Aliens. Processing time to receive approval varies, but can easily be as long as 2 – 3 months. The permit is valid for one year. You may use it to cross the border with your firearms any number of times during that period.

The form must include serial numbers of all firearms and any ammunition you will be bringing into the country. You will undergo an ATF background check. If you have a criminal record it may very well affect your ability to get approval. Your form will be returned to you indicating whether or not it has been approved.

When you arrive at the border, you will declare your firearm, provide the required documents, and answer all questions truthfully. The border services officer must be satisfied that you have a valid reason for importing the firearm, and may check to ensure that you have stored your firearm properly for transportation. They will review your paperwork and may verify that the firearm you have with you matches the one described in the documents.

[applegater]

We have driven three times to Alaska since 2005, first two times we carried a rifle,supposedly to use while hunting with Alaska relatives. The last time didn't bother to take one. But wouldn't travel in 48 states without one!

[bob_nestor]

As someone who grew up in Alaska without a gun, I always get a chuckle out of those who think they need one to visit there but probably wouldn't think twice about going to LA, NYC, Detroit or Chicago without one.

[cruiserjs]

Well gramma - relish or not IF you go to Canada leave the guns home! or don't go! Simple solution.

[2gypsies1]

amandasgramma wrote:
Quite frankly, we live in our RV full-time, have no place to leave our guns, and do NOT relish the idea of traveling Canada or Alaska without our guns.

On our last trip to Alaska we were full-timers also. We never felt unsafe in any area we traveled. We used public parks and boondocked in awesome areas.

[JaxDad]

amandasgramma wrote:
We said if you declare and have the RIGHT handguns you'll be okay. She swears that no matter what the government web page (Canadian) says, they WILL arrest us for taking our guns in.

Quite frankly, we live in our RV full-time, have no place to leave our guns, and do NOT relish the idea of traveling Canada or Alaska without our guns. We will gladly declare the ones we are taking WHEN we can go up there (2 yrs from now)

First, as was mentioned above, you will not get a handgun into Canada for anything short of a VERY good reason, like a shooting competition you are registered for. Self-defence is NOT a reason that will get either a handgun or long gun into Canada.

If you are going to Alaska you can have your guns shipped ahead and pick them up once you're there. Likewise if you're just going to tour Canada you can leave your guns with a gun shop on the US side.

[Orion]

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.

[garyhaupt]

samsontdog wrote:
Years ago the DW and I went to Canada and I forgot that I had my gun in the cabinet in the TT. They never asked and I did not tell them. I was lucky. My GS married a young Lady from Canada and they go back and forth from Calif to Canada
and he has his gun with him but he is a Police Officer. He shows his ID and Badge and off he goes

I think your grandson may be mistaken. I do not believe that a police officer is entitled to carry a weapon in either direction.


Gary haupt

[amandasgramma]

This is a timely informative thread. We got into a discussion with a friend about this issue today. They were there just last month and said NO handguns....but rifles are okay. They didn't take any across. We said if you declare and have the RIGHT handguns you'll be okay. She swears that no matter what the government web page (Canadian) says, they WILL arrest us for taking our guns in. Quite frankly, we live in our RV full-time, have no place to leave our guns, and do NOT relish the idea of traveling Canada or Alaska without our guns. We will gladly declare the ones we are taking WHEN we can go up there (2 yrs from now)

[Mountaineer42]

You betcha it's a big deal!!! Here's an article from today's Calgary Herald newspaper:

"Two Americans fined thousands of dollars for trying to bring guns into Alberta
The Canadian Press
Published on: July 8, 2015 | Last Updated: July 8, 2015 5:35 PM MDT


LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — Two Americans have been fined for trying to bring in guns to Alberta.

Donald Hardinger, who is 49, was fined $17,000 and given a 10-year firearm ban in a court in Lethbridge, Alta.

Canada border officers at the Coutts crossing found seven undeclared firearms, including a semi-automatic rifle, in Hardinger’s travel trailer last July.

Donald Edward Lee, who is 44, was fined $5,000.

In February, border guards at the same crossing found a .45-calibre pistol inside his truck.

The commercial truck driver also received a 10-year firearm ban."

[bsinmich]

I just got back from Pembroke, Ontario yesterday and there was an article in the Ottawa paper where a car rented from Michigan crossed the border and a child reached down behind the back seat and pulled up a loaded gun. The driver had just gotten her green card 2 weeks prior. She took it all to Enterprise and they gave her a different car. I came home before hearing the rest of the story.

[3oaks]

kalynzoo wrote:
Their country, their laws. Canada does not have the 2nd Amendment, so most current arguments do not apply. Travel safe, and if you are going to visit someone in their home respect their values and beliefs.
JMHO

Not just your opinion, but mine too.
That is why so many U.S. citizens get into trouble in foreign countries. They don't see themselves as guests and fail to respect their laws and pay little attention to their culture.