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

[AKsilvereagle]

This topic is a semi common occurrence with many americans entering Canada that think the US constitution follows them around when crossing borders, as a few will always test the threshold upon not getting caught.

I read a couple years ago that one of the Canada Customs statistics in a one year timeframe with undeclared firearms in possession were the majority of offences from male individuals over the age of 55 as you better believe the Canada Customs agents tend to look a little harder for those individuals in that age group at their discretion.

Every Canada border station I approached at upon their port of entry has a sign that clearly reads : All firearms and weapons must be declared

Whether the firearm(s) a person has onhand are classified as permitted, restricted, or prohibited, they still need to be fully declared (even not knowingly possessing them as it is a zero tolerance if caught) or else one will be investing in a Canadian timeshare (meaning jail with fines and court costs), while losing the privilege of visiting Canada ever again.

Both Canada and US Customs number 1 concern upon individuals entering each country are possession of firearms and weapons, as both countries take this issue very seriously as the rules and regulations are very clear upon entry with such items.

[wilber1]

I think you would only wind up in handcuffs if you lied about having a firearm.

[rwj146]

There's a channel on Youtube called Border Security Canada, shows people from all over bringing illegal items in. Surprisingly there are many RV's with folks who it would seem would know better trying to cross with handguns.

Did show one episode where a couple of young men got on a road with no turn-around and both had pistols. Told the Border agents immediately, were disarmed and story checked. Then the Canadian Agent walked the pistols to the US side and let the guys go. Most end up in handcuffs and little rooms waiting for the RCMP.

[JaxDad]

We Cant Wait wrote:
FYI You can only declare long guns for entrance into Canada, Hand guns can not be taken in for any reason, except LEO's in the line of duty. All hand guns (if you're traveling thru Canada) will need to be stored with a gun dealer in the states before crossing.

That's not true, but there's lots of paperwork and there's extremely limited reasons for bringing a handgun into Canada.

[kalynzoo]

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

[3oaks]

If you want to see some excitement at a Canadian boarder crossing, do not take a gun with you. Just leave an empty handgun holster where a customs officer can catch sight of it.

No, I didn't do that. I wouldn't want to put my RV back together after the search. Besides that, we love visiting Canada and respect their laws. Wouldn't want to be banned from visiting.. 🙂

[Sea_Dog]

We Cant Wait wrote:
FYI You can only declare long guns for entrance into Canada, Hand guns can not be taken in for any reason, except LEO's in the line of duty. All hand guns (if you're traveling thru Canada) will need to be stored with a gun dealer in the states before crossing.

Not true.

There are rules to follow but most handguns can be
brought into Canada.

http://canada.usembassy.gov/traveling_to_canada/bringing-weapons-into-canada.html

[agesilaus]

We crossed twice this summer at the two crossings east of Glacier NP. Even tho I have a NRA sticker on the drivers side window I wasn't given much of a third degree about weapons. I simply said that I was aware of Canadian law and left all firearms at home.

Coming back into the US they did look in our fiver but only took a couple of minutes.

[samsontdog]

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

[Grey_Mountain]

We've been visiting Canada for ten years or so, and never bring our guns with us.
On this crossing, the Customs Agent,very nicely,asked several different ways about guns.
The first lady asked the normal quetions, and also asked if we had a safe on board. We have a small fire-proof lock box in which we keep our passports, health records, etc. She then directed us to a spot for a thorough inspection.
Questions then asked?
Do you own weapons? (Yes)
Do you keep them in your safe? (No)
As a retired military person, did you keep your service weapon? (No, never had one)
Do you have a Concealed Carry license? (Yes)
These questions were interspersed with general chit-chat and other questions.
Another inspector was doing a thorough search of the RV while this was going on.
After the inspection, they wished us a pleasant journey.
I thanked them, told them I appreciated what they were doing and we were on our way to enjoy another couple of months on Vancouver Island.

GM

[We_Cant_Wait]

FYI You can only declare long guns for entrance into Canada, Hand guns can not be taken in for any reason, except LEO's in the line of duty. All hand guns (if you're traveling thru Canada) will need to be stored with a gun dealer in the states before crossing.

[Golden_HVAC]

Wow,

I guess it is a huge deal up there.

Fred.