Guns across the border

[homefor2]

There are lots of postings about US Citizens being warned about taking guns to Canada but be aware it works both ways. As a Canadian heading to the US this fall, we crossed the border and our vehicle was searched for an hour due to my stupidity. I had a sign on the storage box of my ATV trailer similar to the one in the picture. It was more of a joke than anything and I never thought it might be taken seriously. It was a trigger point (pun intended) for Homeland Security and they were doing their job.

While being interviewed we were asked if we had any weapons. The answer was "No" and was the truth. Then the agent said while looking at his computer screen, "but you have weapons at home". The answer was yes. I believe he had access to Canadian information that I have a Possession and Acquisition licence for firearms. The two countries really are sharing a lot of information with each other. Sign is now gone and I hope I don't waste another hour at the border next time.

[Walaby]

2gypsies wrote:
We're all for borders sharing information. We've never been searched in our crossings and we don't need a gun.

Im all for sharing info regarding illegal activities (ie arrest warrants), but am totally against sharing info on LEGAL activities, regardless of my personal beliefs on the actual LEGAL activity.

What's interesting is the two articles that are linked to earlier in this thread, neither one discusses info such as gun ownership, yet the evidence clearly shows that each country has and passes that information freely, and it is used to target each others citizens for further scrutiny.

While Im perfectly fine with your feelings on not needing a gun, what about the next, currently LEGAL activity that is used to target someone for scrutiny. What if you participate in that activity, LEGALLY, and the US uses that info to target you for increased scrutiny and search. Will you still feel the same way? It's easy to say "sure" behind a keyboard, but will you REALLY feel that way.

That is the way rights are taking away from law abiding citizens. Sure, I have nothing to hide, go ahead and tap my cell phone, collect my call data.. why not, right? After all, if I have nothing to hide, why should I care!!! It is a slippery slope, and some people don't want to start down that slope, and others are willing to sled on down until it's too late.

But Im quite sure I won't convince those who see it differently to change their view. And, while I don't know much of anything about Canadian rights, I do know my rights in the US, and it is my constitutional right to own a gun if I choose to. Others don't get to make that choice for me, at least not in a free nation.

Mike

[2gypsies1]

We're all for borders sharing information. We've never been searched in our crossings and we don't need a gun.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

the sad thing is that the people who are familiar with firearms and have Conceal to Carry permits are not the people we should worry about having guns. It's the criminals that have obtained weapons illegally that are the problem and they wouldn't go through customs with weapons.

[homefor2]

path1 wrote:
Are you saying thats bad? How you going to stop it if you don't agree? If you do agree, whats next?

Old news...

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Why-Canada--US-share-information_18216025

http://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2014/01/27/border_officials_to_share_travellers_info_with_fe...

I have no problem with the two countries sharing information. I just posted to prevent someone else from having a problem.

[John_Joey]

joebedford wrote:
...I don't own a gun and I don't feel vulnerable in the US.

Neither do I. I can pretty much take care of myself. The couples I know are mostly in their 70's, come down in slide in campers, and boondock on their way in rest stops, Wal-Mart's, and gas stations. Some of them were in the forces, just lost it over time.

Their logic is if a bad guy was looking for trouble, seeing a Canadian plate would seem like an easier target vs an US plate. I can see how having a 911 sign on the rig, would make them feel a little better.

[joebedford]

You're on the "check closely list" now. Better allow lots of time for future crossings.

I'm Canadian, I don't own a gun and I don't feel vulnerable in the US.

[Tripalot]

Beverley&Ken wrote:
Don't be surprised if your questioned many more times about weapons. We were caught with a banned food product once and since then are always questioned a about food and have U.S border agents search the MH several times, concentrating on the fridge and food storage areas.
Coming back to Canada, we've never been stopped for more than a minute or two.

Ken

We had a similar experience about 10 years ago when the beef ban was in effect. We were going to an event in Branson and crossed into Michigan and were pulled over for inspection. I was asked by 3 different people if I had any beef on board to which I replied NO - I knew the rules. After about an hour, we were taken into an office and they put the frozen Pizza Lasagna (2 portion size and the only thing in the freezer) on the desk. The package said pizza lasagna with mushrooms, peppers, pepperoni (pork). About 10th item down the list of ingredients was beef in the layer of meat sauce. We were fined $300 and the lasagna was confiscated. It was going from the freezer to the micro for that's nights dinner. When asked if you have beef you automatically think of steak, burgers, roasts. That small lasagna probably only contained about 4 or 5 oz. of beef.

We were then searched every time we entered the US for the next couple of years. All the paper work was done in my name as I usually am not the driver. Would you believe I even got called over and interrogated when walking back across the border at Progreso Mex. into Texas.
When we changed RV's and had a different licence plate, we were not bothered again - strange.

[wildtoad]

I learned a long time ago to be careful what you stick on your car. My parents raised Siamese and Burmese show cats. As a joke they made up a batch of stickers as a handout at cat shows that simply said "Support your local cat house". Well I thought it would be fun to stick one on the back bumper of my car. I then wondered why I was followed for several miles by a local police officer.

[Walaby]

It's flat wrong in my opinion, for both of our countries, to be sharing information on the LEGAL activities of our respective citizens and using that information for increased scrutiny when our respective citizens visit each others country.

But, I also have to acknowledge there's nothing I can do about it, which sucks equally.

Mike

[fchammer1]

I would remove the NRA sticker from my vehicle when I go to Canada -- or DC, New York, California, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, Delaware, Connecticut, and a few others too.

Better to have and not need, than to need and not have.

[John_Joey]

gbopp wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Stupid mistake with the signage........just a big RED Flag

Yep, big mistake. The OP realizes it was a mistake, maybe this thread will help someone else avoid the same situation.

Many Canadians I know feel vulnerable in the US. They feel if the bad guy sees a Canadian license plate they know the rig will not have a gunslinger inside.

Maybe it's not so stupid when you look at it from north of the boarder perspective. Regardless, the OP felt his word was more powerful then that sign. I guess he's telling everyone that you can't assume that after 9-11.

[gbopp]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Stupid mistake with the signage........just a big RED Flag

Yep, big mistake. The OP realizes it was a mistake, maybe this thread will help someone else avoid the same situation.

[Old-Biscuit]

Stupid mistake with the signage........just a big RED Flag

Now that you have been 'interviewed' you will most likely be on the 'look closer' list.

YES.......border control is serious business OR at least it should be.
Tighter/closer inspections should be implemented and folks should expect closer scrutiny.
It is NOT like going state to state or province to province
It IS going from one foreign country to another foreign country.

[Beverley_Ken]

Don't be surprised if your questioned many more times about weapons. We were caught with a banned food product once and since then are always questioned a about food and have U.S border agents search the MH several times, concentrating on the fridge and food storage areas.
Coming back to Canada, we've never been stopped for more than a minute or two.

Ken