Don't take guns into Canada

[MrNoodly]

This is just an early reminder for those who might be heading into Canada once the weather improves. It's illegal to bring firearms into Canada. Here's the story of a guy who was arrested for accidentally bringing a gun across the border:

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-canada-border-guns-20140203,0,4094271.story#axzz2sI6DR6CK

The same goes for Mexico. No guns or ammunition. And the Mexican legal system is more draconian than Canada's.

 

[user 423]

This applies to handguns. You can take long guns and shotguns if you do the paperwork. I understand that takes several months lead time.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

the best thing to do is bury them on BLM land with your other valuables, before crossing, pick them up on the way back Don't panic though, no one carries guns in Canada, so you are not likely to get shot, you are more likely to get struck by lightning then getting attacked by a bear or other wild animals, the police are kept on a tight lead so not likely to be harassed. have fun hey!!!!

 

[MrNoodly]

the best thing to do is bury them on BLM land with your other valuables, before crossing, pick them up on the way back

Or just leave them with family or friends.

 

[Patrick46]

I know someone who was headed into Canada touring on a motorcycle, who got fined, jailed, and booted out at the border because he had a taser in his saddlebag. That's not even a gun!

 

[akrvbob]

Lots of hunters go into Canada with their long arms and so there is a way to do it. But you MUST jump though all their hoops. When I did it, it cost $50 and fill out a single application. I had a pump 12 gauge shotgun with a 18 1/2 inch barrel.
Bob

 

[highdesertranger]

wow when I went in '96 it was real easy no paper work, no fees, just declare at the border. of course no pistols or semi auto rifles. when I went I called first to make sure I had everything strait. the official I talked to laid it all out and asked where I would be traveling I told him I would be prospecting in remote locations he replied that I better have a gun with me. at the border when I declared I had a gun onboard they didn't even care. all they wanted to know was how much alcohol and how many cigarettes. highdesertranger

 

[idn88]

If there going to make Americans abide by their gun laws, then it only seems fair that we make them abide with our traffic laws. In the winter in the Southeast every third car is from Ontario, and not one of them understand the "keep right except to pass" law.

 

[MrNoodly]

In the winter in the Southeast every third car is from Ontario, and not one of them understand the "keep right except to pass" law.

Not many US drivers understand that either.

 

[spd2918]

That was one poorly written, one sided article. The guy did not forget he had a .380 with him.

I don't want to be around a guy that can't remember where his guns are. And I carry every day.

 

[GotSmart]

If I agree to follow their laws, will they take Beeber back?

 

[Blue]

lol smart but then they might take Seth Rogan back too...

my advice... not only dont bring guns into Canada... dont even give them the slightest hint you might have ever owned a gun.

I was driving my 35 ft RV, every inch packed almost to the roof with everything I owned or bought and saved in my entire life to Alaska. I was wise and stopped at a gun store outside... port angeles I think... and paid the money, got the tags, and had the guns shipped to another gun store in alaska.

BUT my father had slapped a bumper sticker on my RV I had tried to remove months earlyer and completely forgotten about, half torn off it read "Gun Control Is Hitting Your Target" Ohh the Canadians really didnt like that.

as they waved everyone else through, I got told to pull over. They giggled about the bumpersticker and asked if I thought that was a smart thing to put on my car, I explained I didnt put it on there and showed them the tickets for the guns I had shipped telling them I had no guns and was very careful about it... didnt matter...

It took almost four hours for them to unload absolutely everything in my RV and dump it on the ground, kicking and scattering anything in a box or drawer. when important paperwork was blowing away I got up off the curb and ran to stop it they put their hands on their guns and told me to sit down and I could pick it up afterward... wherever it blew away too.

when they were finally done checking every nook and cranny they told me I was free to go... I asked, "are you going to pack all this up again and help me get it back in there?" response "no"

When I finally got moving again I hated Cannadians, and fit right in with everybody else in Alaska.

 

[Canine]

I was a truck driver. While I was smart enough to not cross the border, a good many of my co-workers did. The horror stories I've heard are incredible. The horrible way humans treat other humans is disgusting. I would love to travel Canada and Alaska, but becoming a felon is so easy anymore. I'm trying not to become one, but not sure if I will be able to remain a law abiding citizen if I decide to start crossing borders.

That sounds sarcastic, but there is a lot of truth to that. One can be a respected, responsible, upstanding member of a community, but drive a few feet in the wrong direction and you can become a felon, become financially and emotionally bankrupt, and all the other stuff that goes along with becoming a criminal. All for no reason.

We all make mistakes. I wish we didn't sometimes have to pay for extremely minor mistakes for the rest of our lives.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

. . . I would love to travel Canada and Alaska, but becoming a felon is so easy anymore. I'm trying not to become one, but not sure if I will be able to remain a law abiding citizen if I decide to start crossing borders.

I'd love to spend a summer up in Alaska. Rather than deal with Canadian Customs, I'm looking in to taking the Alaska Ferry from Washington.

I'm still researching this, but it looks like even though you are passing through Canadian waters, you never actually land in Canada and therefore don't have to interact with Canadian officials at all.

Plus, as a bonus, you can get off at several stops along the way that are simply not reachable via the Alaska Highway. Including Juneau.

If anyone here has experience with the Ferry (Bob?) I'd love to hear about it.

Regards
John

 

[Blue]

Actually yeah that's true, get the ferry from port Angeles heading up the inside passage to Juno and then get another ferry to Seward (I think) puts you on the road on the mainland no need for Canadian customs. But for my RV (35 ft) that cost 3,000.00 (still cheaper than Canadian gas though)

 

[highdesertranger]

I looked into the ferry when I went. it was about the same cost wise as driving. imho going though Canada is no big deal. just know the laws and don't do anything stupid. if you have questions call the Canadian gov to get clarification. a good book for those making the trip is the "milepost". they lay it all out for you. I would rather drive though Canada over mexico any day. highdesertranger

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Plus, the Alaska Highway used to confer real bragging rights. These days, little old ladies drive their Winnebagos up it every summer.

Going up the Dalton Highway to Prudhoe Bay is the one to brag about now.

Regards
John

 

[flying kurbmaster]

Not sure why you guys are worried about Canadian customs, all they are asking," don't take your guns to town". Pretty reasonable ask, this would be true of any border crossing I would think, no drugs, guns or other contraband...
I can see the ferry boat ride would be a nice trip but missing British Columbia, Yukon and the Alaska hwy would be a big sacrifice, at least one way, just for the privilege of bringing a firearm.

 

[Canine]

Have you been convicted of shoplifting? Then you are criminally inadmissible. Want to crack open a beer after you have parked in a non-rv vehicle for the night? That's illegal, too. Having a beer while fishing with your truck close by? Illegal. Did you have a DUI or an even lesser alcohol related offense from 40 years ago that was eventually expunged at great cost to you? Doesn't matter. Entry denied. If you don't mind possibly being violated for no reason- having your tampons, papers, dog food, etc. strewn all over, then given 30 minutes to throw it all back in you rig- then you should have a good time. Ever been diagnosed with depression? That's grounds for denial. It goes on and on and on.

The rules for criminal or medical inadmissibility are purposefully vague. The Border Crossing Agents have near total authority to deny anyone for almost any reason they can think of. Make no mistake: Going into Canada is a big deal. It might not be a big deal most of the time, but God help you if you are the one they want to interrogate, or if you truly made a minor, minor mistake.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

That is not my experience and I have been across Canadian and American borders many many times as well as many other borders all over the world with no issues. Your ducks have to be lined up, they have to have a good reason to turn you back. Going into Canada is less of a big deal then coming into America, when you arrive in the US they take your finger prints, iris print, and you need prior approval even before showing up. Entering Canada is not a big deal in my experience, but I don't have a criminal record, carry guns or drink n fish.