Pastor brings gun into Canada and gets huge fine

[bscrive]

For all you guys that want to ride in Canada better make sure you leave your guns at home.  It was pretty expensive for this pastor.

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Crime/2011/12/01/19049686.html

[solo1]

The statement that Justice Mark Hornblower made that Canadian laws are "remarkably different" was one heckuva understatement.

Some years ago, the wife and I crossed into Canada at the Soo.  I was asked three times whether I had any firearms.  I didn't and replied in the same.  Made no difference.  My truck was searched from top to bottom, including our luggage.  I was puzzled until I noticed that I had left my NRA cap in plain view.

I was about to turn around and come back to the good ole USA but the wife wouldn't hear of it.  Although I've enjoyed myself before in Canada I didn't this time.  It left a sour taste in my mouth.

My opinion is best left unsaid.  I will say that most of us in the states, know of the very restrictive gun laws in Canada and we will not take the chance of running afoul of Canada's laws.

[CISE]

I think the main problem is Americans tend to forget that Canada is a seperate country, with different laws and views.

Since we share such a long border we tend to think of each other as the same.

Just remember, crossing a border indicates a different country - just be aware of it!

(And if you think Canadian gun laws are tough - Ontario people may think that the American laws preventing women from going topless in public may be silly too) 

[solo1]

Our gun laws are a right.  Going topless laws are privileges 

[grandpaweaver]

I've never gone but what do you do if you go up there on a hunting trip, ship em UPS?

[Chrome]

Hey GrandPaw As far as I understand,you can bring your hunting guns across the border but you have to follow our rules. Some paperwork and afew bucks will get them across. Just don't show up at the border or "Forget" to declare then after seeing the signs and being asked.
Afew links  http://panda.com/canadaguns/
               www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/pol-leg/hl-fs-eng.htm

Adrian

[DarkMeister]

I've never gone but what do you do if you go up there on a hunting trip, ship em UPS?

Not a problem for hunting rifles or shotguns. A lot of hunters come up here to hunt. Bring them, declare them, in you go (currently subject to a small on-the-spot registration fee which may be gone soon).

[Serk]

As wrong as I consider Canada's (Or any other country with subjects instead of citizens) gun laws to be, I hate to say it but... Their country, their rules. If you're gonna go there, you're not in The USA anymore. The Bill of Rights no longer applies, and you have to respect that, or don't go.


Edit - Changed America to The USA to satisfy geography wonks

[solo1]

Right On, Serk 

[The Anvil]

The only answer it to invade Canada.


Which really isn't as crazy (or hard) as it sounds.

[GiG]

If you're gonna go there, you're not in America anymore.

Really?

Don't tell that to the Canadian authorities when you are stopped at the border.
They happen to believe they are part of North America, and are not shy to point it out to you.  
When asked to declare your citizenship upon entering Canada, if you say "America", you will most likely be ridiculed mercilessly. Canadian border agents are very likely to launch into a tirade against the state of public education in the USA, if you give them that answer.
The correct answer is ""United States of America", or "USA"", which happens to be the name of our country. America is a continent, not a country. Canada is part of America.
That concludes our Geo / Political lesson for today.

[bscrive]

Watch out Anvil, we can retaliate...as long as uncle Bob brings his .22 from the locked safe he keeps in his concrete bunker and he can find the key to the trigger lock.  Then you will see all hell break loose. 

[Chrome]

Hey MC Thanx for the geography lesson.
Adrian

[The Anvil]

If you're gonna go there, you're not in America anymore.

Really?

Don't tell that to the Canadian authorities when you are stopped at the border.
They happen to believe they are part of North America, and are not shy to point it out to you.  
When asked to declare your citizenship upon entering Canada, if you say "America", you will most likely be ridiculed mercilessly. Canadian border agents are very likely to launch into a tirade against the state of public education in the USA, if you give them that answer.
The correct answer is ""United States of America", or "USA"", which happens to be the name of our country. America is a continent, not a country. Canada is part of America.
That concludes our Geo / Political lesson for today.

You know what though? They're right. We do tend to think of America as the USA.

[DarkMeister]

The only answer it to invade Canada.


Which really isn't as crazy (or hard) as it sounds.

John Candy and his crew didn't get far trying to do just that. It almost cost Alan Alda his presidency.

Besides, your 1%-ers would be pissed if you damaged all the stuff they already own up here.

But, just in case, for when you start running out of fresh water supplies, I'll go polish up my Anvil-Launcher.

[DarkMeister]

You know what though? They're right. We do tend to think of the world as the USA.

Fixed. 

[DarkMeister]

Thanks, Motor City! 

Used to drive me nuts when shopping on eBay. Endless number of cretins list an item, indicate they ship to North & South America, this pops up as available on eBay Canada. I go to buy it, the said cretin freaks out - Oh no, I don't ship outside America! Time and again. 

On the other hand... I go stateside weekly these days. Couple of trips ago, entering America the USA, it went something like this:

What is your citizenship?
Canadian.
Ha! You're NOT from Quebec!
No. But how did you know?
He says "Most of them, when I ask their citizenship, say "Montreal". Last I checked, it wasn't a country."

[GiG]

Hey MC Thanx for the geography lesson.

Yo, Adrian - Speaking of geography... Most people are suprised to find out that I have to travel South for the privelige  of getting ridiculed by the Canadian border agents in Winsor...  

[MarkT]

The news article says

"Visitors who admit they have guns when asked are given the option of surrendering them until they finish their Canadian visit or immediately returning to the U.S."

I didn't know that. Even if I had, I would have done what I did:  I recently did a trip to Canada, and found a pawn shop in Montana where I checked my .357 before crossing the border, and picked it up on my return.  Only cost a couple bucks.  I was surprised the pawn shop had no experience with my request.  I would have thought there was a regular market for such a service, especially in a large town close to the border (Kalispell), at an established pawn shop that even advertises on TV.

[GiG]

What is your citizenship?
Canadian.
Ha! You're NOT from Quebec!
No. But how did you know?
He says "Most of them, when I ask their citizenship, say "Montreal". Last I checked, it wasn't a country."

Now that's funny!  More Geo / Political lessons re: Montral and sovereignship . I know that is always a hot topic in Canada, about Montreal being their own country.
Seems crazy to me, but I am just an outside observer from America ... 

[Fritz The Cat]

I see Canada has followed the US lead, take every opportunity to rob people that you can. taking their money is the name of the game.

[solo1]

Machen crossed the border to visit friends in Kitchener, Ont. He told border officials that he had no guns with him, although he owned rifles and handguns, and had a permit to carry a concealed weapon. "Quote"

Reading the story again, I noticed the word 'although'  .  I'm a little puzzled by that word.  Does that mean that if I went into Canada and mentioned upon being asked, that I owned handguns, i would be subjected to a 'balls to the wall'  search because they now need to find a weapon so as to prove that I was a nasty USA gun toter?

Yes, he should've known the Canadian law BUT confining a US senior citizen who's physically not in good shape, threatening  him with jail,  and then fining him $10,000 bucks, goes beyond, IMO. Confiscation of the weapon by the "Crown"  was reasonable, however.

Canada is a great country and I have good VRCC friends in Canada. However,  maybe I did myself a favor by never getting a passport.

Just my own personal and now biased opinion. I shouldn't have opened the story.

[bscrive]

Solo, it's not that bad up here.  You just have to practice your "seig heils" and you will be fine.  Come on up we would love to have you visit us.

[Chrome]

Wayne

Yes, he should've known the Canadian law BUT confining a US senior citizen who's physically not in good shape, threatening  him with jail,  and then fining him $10,000 bucks, goes beyond, IMO. Confiscation of the weapon by the "Crown"  was reasonable, however.

What does being a senior have to do with it? If he was 45,should he have been treated any different? If he was not in good health,is that an excuse for lying about having a handgun?
I prefer if we were all treated equally up here and not making excuses.
 Adrian

l

[Jess from VA]

I understand CA laws, but a $10K fine is outrageous extortion. (no doubt intended as an example)

I would not have made this mistake, but I think I would have told the judge "I'm not paying a fine that big, so how is the food in your jails?  I'll just live on CA taxpayer money until you let me go."

[Gryphon Rider]

I'll betcha that if he was lost in a rough part of town and someone approached his car with a baseball bat, he would remember his revolver in his door pocket.

[The Anvil]

I understand CA laws, but a $10K fine is outrageous extortion. (no doubt intended as an example)

I would not have made this mistake, but I think I would have told the judge "I'm not paying a fine that big, so how is the food in your jails?  I'll just live on CA taxpayer money until you let me go."

Sure you would.

[solo1]

Adrian, you're right about treating everyone the same. 

I still stand by the rest.  Draconian measures do not cut it with me.

I'll keep my sorry butt and my money in the USA. 

[Chrome]

Wayne 

maybe I did myself a favor by never getting a passport.

Without a passport ,not much to say there. Will miss you at all our "Valkyrie" meets up here.
Adrian

[DarkMeister]

Just to clarify: US citizens are welcome here - we do not require that they have a passport. It's only on the way back into USA that you need one. 
No kidding. And even USA-bound you can bluster your way in after a short finger-wag from USBP officer.

[BF]

Wayne 

maybe I did myself a favor by never getting a passport.

Without a passport ,not much to say there. Will miss you at all our "Valkyrie" meets up here.
Adrian

Is someone having a little issue with Christmas this year?

[solo1]

Is someone having a little issue with Christmas this year? (Quote)

Not at all. I would hope that I still have friends in Canada and i still will celebrate the Birth of Christ.

 

Wayne, solo1

[Serk]

Is someone having a little issue with Christmas this year? (Quote)

Not at all. I would hope that I still have friends in Canada and i still will celebrate the Birth of Christ.

 

Wayne, solo1

Wayne,

I could be wrong, but I think he was referring to Chrome's... interesting... Christmas related pictures he keeps putting at the bottom of his posts recently...

[Chrome]

Hey BF,Serk Just adding abit of colour to our "Valkyrie" club postings. Adding Dragons to the season.
Adrian