Gun Question for our Canadian brothers or sisters

[da prez]

   It is my understanding that I can not carry a gun into Canada. If I was to drive to Alaska , would I have to send my Pistol. What about hunting in Canada , baseball bats or what alternative. Are you   allowed to own guns as a residence .   I hope you understand what I am asking.

                                 da prez

[dreamaker]

I get Canadian TV channels, living near Canada. There is a program about customs and border control, I from time to time briefly watch.  In fact there was one, where an American was going to Alaska from either Oregon or Washington. He had to go through Canada and stopped at customs and he had a pistol, locked up in a case ammo separate and Canadian customs confiscated the pistol and sent him on his way. They did not indicate taking the pistol, and sending it forward or back home to the lower 48. I got the impression they kept it.

[Pete]

Send the gun to yourself in Alaska.

Or you can hide it and see if you can slip it through. (Handguns)
The penalties are stiff if caught, so you may not want to do that.

Although I will say they are not real good at finding them, when thoughtfully hidden.

And they do profile - Example: white male in a pickup truck from the southern US will surely be stopped, questioned and they will politely request a search and search.

For more info personal email.

[Jess from VA]

You would have to ship it.

There are procedures available for hunting up there and taking a firearm with you.  Long, involved, prepaid, preplanned, hunting license/permits, paperwork in hand.  Travel directly to and from hunting.  There is no procedure for having a handgun for personal protection.  

[Beardo]

Yes we are allowed to own guns. Almost everyone I know owns some. The difference is we have different categories. Non-restricted(rifles,shotguns), restricted(handguns) and prohibited(automatics, some others). There are rules about high capacity mags as well(can't have them ).  Every gun owner is licenced. You take a course to get the licence. You need that licence to buy guns or ammo. They also do a criminal record check and check with ex spouses, etc. To own restricted guns, it's just a bit more in depth course. There are also rules about handguns, you can only shoot it at a licenced range, can only transport it to from that range(with a required permit).

I believe you can get a permit ahead of time to transport your handguns through Canada on the way to Alaska. Then as long as they are transported properly, you're ok. Do not try to hide them. You'll regret getting caught. It can be done, just have to play by the rules and of course, buy the permit.

Some useful info here:
http://www.ezbordercrossing.com/the-inspection-experience/transporting-firearms/bringing-a-firearm-into-canada/

Edit: Might be easiest to ship them. Looks like you need to meet our requirements, ie, take the course, get the Authorization To Transport permit, etc...same as us.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I have transported guns thru Canada many times. But it has been 15 years since the last time. The only problem I've ever had was it can take a while to get thru. They usually check serial numbers to make sure they are not stolen. Also when you have a bunch of guns they tend to do a more thorough search of your vehicle. The last time it probably took me an hour to get thru. Back in the day they also made sure you had enough cash to make it out of their country. I don't know if they still do that. This was before debit cards and such.

[msb]

A thorough description of Canadian gun laws by my friend Beardo.

Prez...it's a common misconception with many Americans that average Canadians don't own or want to own guns as our laws are obviously quite a bit more restrictive than the US's and certain groups and media play up that difference as to indicate that most of us are "anti-gun", so no worries. While never having been a gun owner myself (which will be changing this Spring as I take my necessary training so that I can spend time hunting with my daughter & son in law up in Northern BC), I  as well as most Canadians are not really "anti-gun"... it's just that feeling the need to carry a weapon at all times is not part of our culture and therefor not really thought about a lot by most. If we did have carry laws similar to what you have in the US, I'm pretty sure that would change with many here though...and of course there would be many as well that would probably become more vocal against such changes.
Keep in mind that for the size of our country, there are very few large metropolises - which is where most of the anti-gun sentiment will reside. If you are driving through BC on your way to Alaska, I can guarantee that once you distance yourself from the Lower Mainland/Vancouver area, you will find yourself in contact and conversation with many hunters/gun owners. Also if you are planning to drive through BC to Alaska...please feel free to contact me for suggestions on places to see/stop/stay, etc...cheers  

[bulldog620]

A thorough description of Canadian gun laws by my friend Beardo.

Prez...it's a common misconception with many Americans that average Canadians don't own or want to own guns as our laws are obviously quite a bit more restrictive than the US's and certain groups and media play up that difference as to indicate that most of us are "anti-gun", so no worries. While never having been a gun owner myself (which will be changing this Spring as I take my necessary training so that I can spend time hunting with my daughter & son in law up in Northern BC), I  as well as most Canadians are not really "anti-gun"... it's just that feeling the need to carry a weapon at all times is not part of our culture and therefor not really thought about a lot by most. If we did have carry laws similar to what you have in the US, I'm pretty sure that would change with many here though...and of course there would be many as well that would probably become more vocal against such changes.
Keep in mind that for the size of our country, there are very few large metropolises - which is where most of the anti-gun sentiment will reside. If you are driving through BC on your way to Alaska, I can guarantee that once you distance yourself from the Lower Mainland/Vancouver area, you will find yourself in contact and conversation with many hunters/gun owners. Also if you are planning to drive through BC to Alaska...please feel free to contact me for suggestions on places to see/stop/stay, etc...cheers  

 

[gregk]

I remember back when I made a donation for the cause. I ran across a button  the other day that I still have from that.   Do not try to take a gun into Canada without them knowing it as you'll wish you weren't born.   17 years ago I got smart (stupid) with a border guard north of Kalispell Mt. I love guns an when asked if I had a gun I said no I don't take guns on a trip and besides you Canadians don't know how to play with guns safely anyways.   I thought she was going to rip me a new a hole. Shaking her finger at me she said I can give you more you know . I smiled and said no that's OK. She let me go but also said the reason she asked is if I said I didn't have one and they found one they would take my vehicle . Then I decided I needed to go in the office to ask a question and she popped her head back into the office an it looked like it was on fire. Sorry but I feel sorry for our Canadian Brothers what they have to put up with about those idiot gun laws that were brought on by the volume of big city idiots that don't have a clue to what a gun is an believe every body with a gun is going to kill somebody.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I remember back when I made a donation for the cause. I ran across a button  the other day that I still have from that.   Do not try to take a gun into Canada without them knowing it as you'll wish you weren't born.   17 years ago I got smart (stupid) with a border guard north of Kalispell Mt. I love guns an when asked if I had a gun I said no I don't take guns on a trip and besides you Canadians don't know how to play with guns safely anyways.   I thought she was going to rip me a new a hole. Shaking her finger at me she said I can give you more you know . I smiled and said no that's OK. She let me go but also said the reason she asked is if I said I didn't have one and they found one they would take my vehicle . Then I decided I needed to go in the office to ask a question and she popped her head back into the office an it looked like it was on fire. Sorry but I feel sorry for our Canadian Brothers what they have to put up with about those idiot gun laws that were brought on by the volume of big city idiots that don't have a clue to what a gun is an believe every body with a gun is going to kill somebody.

It probably wasn't wise to insult all Canadians when wanting to enter Canada. 

[old2soon]

I remember back when I made a donation for the cause. I ran across a button  the other day that I still have from that.   Do not try to take a gun into Canada without them knowing it as you'll wish you weren't born.   17 years ago I got smart (stupid) with a border guard north of Kalispell Mt. I love guns an when asked if I had a gun I said no I don't take guns on a trip and besides you Canadians don't know how to play with guns safely anyways.   I thought she was going to rip me a new a hole. Shaking her finger at me she said I can give you more you know . I smiled and said no that's OK. She let me go but also said the reason she asked is if I said I didn't have one and they found one they would take my vehicle . Then I decided I needed to go in the office to ask a question and she popped her head back into the office an it looked like it was on fire. Sorry but I feel sorry for our Canadian Brothers what they have to put up with about those idiot gun laws that were brought on by the volume of big city idiots that don't have a clue to what a gun is an believe every body with a gun is going to kill somebody.

It probably wasn't wise to insult all Canadians when wanting to enter Canada. 

                           NOT gun related at all BUT. When a semi goes into Canada we need a Ton of paperwork and I have determined that Most border guards have like ZERO sense of humor. Snow melt gravel and mud all over the parking lot and fresh sheets on my bed. This Female Cow told me she had to inspect my sleeper and all I said was Please take off your muddy shoes! Stupid effin witch crawled all over my sleeper with her muddy shoes!  Complained to her boss and he told me-one more word and I'll cuff you and put you in a cell. W T F-over? Kept my mouth shut cleared the port when I got back to the States told the company I'd fly home before I ever went to Canada again. Never been back and this wuz 83 84 like that. And good thing someone told me about the amount of smokes I was "allowed" to bring in.  I had been in South Carolina couple days before and had stocked up for the wife and me. Had I NOT known the amount of smokes I had put in storage and gone on to Canada with them would have resulted in HEAVY fines and Canadian incarceration. Have like Zero if those laws are still as draconian now as they were then. RIDE SAFE.

[Beardo]

Yeah, border crossings(either direction) and airports are not a good place to show your sense of humour.

Just like when being pulled over by the police, be respectful and be aware of the laws (kudos to the OP for asking so he is informed), and things will usually go well for you. It's not the place to go on a tirade about how stupid you feel their laws are. They are within their right to point you back in the other direction, after having disassembled your vehicle first just for fun.

Of course, sometimes you get that one border agent who woke up on the wrong side of the bed. I've found the nicest ones are usually at the remote crossings...they're happy to see someone and are more than likely to have a normal conversation with you. Some will let you go with more than the allowable amount in alcohol or tobacco, as long as you're honest and declare them. Some are more like tax collectors and will bill you the couple cents tax for being 3 cigarettes over.

You have to accept that they are just doing their job. And I'd rather they be extra careful and err on the side of caution with respect to smuggling drugs, illegal/stolen weapons, etc, than not search anyone. If you get searched once, or hear a story about someone who did, you're less likely to try anything.

[Jess from VA]

At Turkish customs, men and women have separate lines (with men and women manning each).  Because everybody gets a bit of a pat down (or more).  I kept getting in the woman's shorter line, and they kept getting upset about it.  I told them it was OK if a woman frisked me, but the women guards just smiled and put their hands on their hips and pointed me over to the men's line.  I just kept a smile and acted stupid and it was all good. 

But at my turn, the guy acted like he had never seen a pair of cowboy boots (he probably hadn't), and made me sit down and take them off.  He was sure he had discovered a stash of something.  But it was just my damp socks.  American military were treated better than anyone else, all the time, everywhere.

After a few times through I learned to have a pack of Marlboro reds for the man.  That and a smile and cordial Turkish greeting got you right through. 

The question you need to not be a smart ass about is:  What is the purpose of your trip?

There are so many funny answers, and you must not give any of them. (i.e.  I hear you have nice women)

The military sent me on military business was always the right answer.

[msb]

Border guards on either side of the Canadian/US border are for the most part, only doing their jobs and I for one would rather see them be a little too serious and thorough, rather than the other way around...even if it involves me. I enter the US frequently, pretty much every month and sometimes several times in a month. As a frequent flyer I've got my routine down pretty good over the years so I rarely if ever experince any problems at all...either entering the US or returnng to Canada. Same as when riding or driving into the US which I also do a fair amount...rarely having any issues....can't even recall a single time when riding through the border in the 40+ years I've been doing so...just being polite goes a long way in this regard.  Yes, there can be occasions where the border guard just may be a jerk, but I think for the most part they exercise their authority within reason...certainly that's been the case in my experiences.
One thing I did learn years ago though in terms of driving into the US for work... Never, Ever tell the US border guard that I am travelling down to do any type of training, project consulting, or the like (which is what I mostly do when I travel to the US for work). "Just visiting customers" is my go to reason now...have had some real interesting and drawn out (hours in the back room) discussions in the past about why a Canadian is needed to train or consult Americans on anything

[Bighead]

Only been to Canada once and crossed at a remote crossing out of maine and they were most freindly but ask me to go inside and speak with an agent since it was my first time crossing and they just wanted to know why I was there,where I would be going and how long I would be there. I couldnt really give them a straight answer because I was on my Phat Girl and alot depended on weather and such, after I explained that tbey were more than happy to let me in and pay very high prices for everthing I bought
I had more trouble getting back into the US than leaving it, I didnt have to go in anywhere but damn at the questioning I had to go through, but after all was asked and answered he said welcome home

[gregk]

Out of about 9 trips the Canadian guards very nice except the gal I pissed off an one rum dum that was trying to piss me off by keeping asking where I was from, I couldn't give that guy any satisfactory answer for nothing an when I looked back at my wife like what the he'll does he want to hear he then gave me a wave through like get the  h going. Our own boarder guards always gave the treatment like what the hell did you go over there for except once I had the car and had the camcorder going on the hump ad the guy was really nice. Another time the guy was nice coming back the Guard was Canadian up by Milk River, he was the only one and think he was going after someone. i even got some Canadian guards bustin a gut once when i told them i was on a beer run to Thunder Bay.

[MarkT]

On a 2010 road trip that included Canada, I first researched online to see if any pawn shops near the border in Montana advertised online as having a check-your-gun service.  None did.  When I got up there, I went to a local pawn shop in Kalispell - Gold Rush Pawn.  I checked my .357 and picked it back up a week later - cost me a total of about $2.  I told the management there of the marketing the check-guns-service idea, what with the growth of CCW lately, might be a winner. (Just checking - don't see it on their web site - maybe not.)  Meanwhile I didn't bother to check my Mace or my Buck knife - didn't think it would be a problem - though I found out later, the Mace I think is illegal, though I don't know how serious.  At the border, the guard asked everybody if we brought anything for personal protection.  No jokes now - they don't have a sense of humor.  The same guard threatened to search our so-called leader and confiscate his bike and give him a pair of "shiny bracelets", as he was asking for it, dressed like a biker clown - covered with leather and slathered in military and American patriot patches.  When going to Canada. Idiot. Only thing he didn't have was NRA and "Cold Dead Hands" patches.  Frankly, after this day, in Canada we left the group and rode alone for the rest of the trip.  Didn't need that kind of attention.

So the bottom line is, Canada prefers only their criminals to be armed, as law-abiding folks aren't. Criminals - hey if you want to have unarmed victims, guess where they are.  If you want to travel to Canada & carry there anyway - and get away with it - do you really want the consequences of having to USE the weapon?  Not me.  I took a chance that if any weapons are needed, the Mace and Buck knife would have to suffice.  I did notice Grizzly advisory signs in several places.  I sure wouldn't camp up there.  I've had bears in camp.  No thanks.  ( I use a .44 Magnum for camp security - with proper handloads, I think it might be enough for a grizzly - but only barely.  A .50S&W with full-power FMJ's would be a better choice.)

Down here?  Yeah I carry.  Legally.  ALL the time. I consider it a responsibility, even a duty, to make it dangerous for criminals to conduct their business.

[msb]

111

So the bottom line is, Canada prefers only their criminals to be armed, as law-abiding folks aren't. Criminals - hey if you want to have unarmed victims, guess where they are. 

Wow, that's a pretty  generalistic statement that you make here Mark. Your point of view is certainly understandable in respect to your own beliefs and I can respect that, but let me relate to you another, equally valid point of view from this Canadian's perspective.

I've lived all  my 60 years in smaller rural communities here in BC....spending all my liesure time riding throught Western  Canada and also extensively in the US (in the last 10 or so years mostly solo or just with my wife as my co-pilot) , and in  the woods and mountains camping, fly fishing, and hiking (with a knife and bear spray when on my own). I've also travelled with work for 3 decades to all the major cities in Canada and many times to cities in the US such as NY/Buffalo/NJ, Detroit, LA, Seattle,Denver, Dallas/Ft Worth, etc....and yes even Chicago. All of this unarmed....and I'm still here...alive and well. In all of these travels I've never once felt threatened where I thought my well being was in peril, or that I needed to protect myself from harm or needed protection from someone else. In fact I have even helped to thwart 2 robberies ...one in LA and one I believe in the NY area.
Have I just been lucky? Perhaps, but I will tell you that there are also a whole whack of other Canadians just like me who have survived without being armed all day every day.

Again, not suggesting your point of view is skewered in any way as far as how you choose to go about your day to day life ...just that there's another legitimate perspective  as well. I personally would have no issue if Canadian gun laws were relaxed a bit where law abiding citizens were allowed to carry registered weapons in certain  circumstances and with the proper training , but I have to respectfully disagree with your analogy here regarding Canadians and visitors to Canada being one step away from harm due to not packing a sidearm . It's just not the case....as I can certainly speak to from experience. Cheers

[MarkT]

Going to some of those towns - yep you are lucky you weren't rolled. Depending on where you were and time of day I expect. If I go to Canada again - I won't camp. Or hike in backwoods areas. I'll stay out of bad areas of big cities. And any situations where I would normally feel better packing.  I don't expect to ever need my guns here either. Rather have it and not need it than vice versa.  Three of my siblings have been mugged but they live in "gun-free safe zones". Wash. D.C., and a big town in VA. Where only criminals are armed. I never visit them. The Wash. sibling has her head in the clouds - a moonbat, trusting everybody, asks for trouble walking dark alleys in the city at night.  I walked with her once, "are you sure we should be here?" Again - she's been mugged twice.  As I said - I make it my responsibility to make criminal's work dangerous for them.

[F6Dave]

At a recent Inzane I sat with some Canadian riders at the closing banquet.  One was a gunowner, and talked about the restrictions he had to deal with.  Not only was it an involved process to get approved to buy a handgun, ownership was pretty complicated, too.  He had to keep it locked up, and the key had to be on a ring with other, similar looking keys.  He couldn't paint the key a different color so he could find it quickly.  I guess that would put the criminal at a disadvantage!  When his handgun was out of the safe it was illegal for someone else to touch it.  Not even his girlfriend, who was a Mountie!  As I remember she carried a checked out handgun at work, but didn't have a license to handle one during her 'personal' time.

What the proponents of these laws fail to see is how firearms can be an equalizer, giving weaker people, often women or the elderly, a fighting chance against much stronger attackers.  I personally know 4 people who used a firearm to thwart an attack.  Luckily none had to fire a shot, because when the attackers saw they were armed, they fled.  Two of the would-be victims were women -- I guess you could say firearms are the ultimate in feminine protection.

[Jess from VA]

I guess you could say firearms are the ultimate in feminine protection.

Really it's for everyone's (law abiding) protection.

This is exactly right:  God made all men, but only Sam Colt made them equal.   

Large-small, old-young, weak-strong, short-tall, fast-slow, normal-handicapped; humans are simply not physically equal. 

I won all my fights growing up (or outran them), until I got my clock cleaned by a guy much older, bigger and stronger than me (he was the aggressor, I was only the defender).  It was shortly after this eye opening epiphany at 17 that I joined the gun culture in earnest (and have remained a faithful member).

Canada and everyone else can do what they want, but no government should ever be allowed to take affirmative action to limit any free man's right to defend himself against violent unlawful aggression by use of simple small arms.  It makes no difference if you live in an urban city or out in nowhere with no bad humans (or beasts). 

We should never respect any government who restricts the fundamental right of self defense.  Instead we should fear the government who fears the (law abiding) gun owner.

I like Canada and all I have met from there, and this is not meant as a shot at Canada.  It is only a shot at governments anywhere.   

[msb]

Packing a sidearm for personal protection is a  perfectly reasonable choice for those who feel the need to, I won't argue that. Being armed with a rifle for protection from bears, etc when in the backcountry is also a very reasonable choice...which is why I am currently in the process of qualifying for registration of my very first "real" firearm as i move closer to retirement and my forays into the backcountry of BC's northern interior become more frequent and extended.

My response was addressed specifically to Mark's comment about Canadians in general and visitors to Canada being at risk if unarmed, and to the fact that it is entirely possible to travel safely throughout North America unarmed if using a certain amount of smarts and if one's lifestyle and demeaner doesn't  constantly  put them in situations where a firearm may be necessary for protection. I dont expect everyone understand...it's just an outlook that is ingrained in mine and many others cultures here. Two differing outlooks....both equally valid in my opinion.

As I have mentioned in previous posts of mine, I am always interested in giving advice on places to visit or stay, or even meeting up with or hosting fellow VRCC members or other American friends who may wish to visit or travel through BC. Whether it be on a ride through one of the many spectacular routes in this province, fishing at one of the thousands of lakes or trout streams, or even visiting the urban jungle  of Vancouver (my description....I've never lived in a town greater than 60,000 or so people), I'd be pretty confident that they would be comfortable enough without their sidearm  for a week or two to at least enjoy their stay.

[98valk]

with the islamic invasion of canada going on, will soon be chaos, like in parts of europe.

[MarkT]

My response was addressed specifically to Mark's comment about Canadians in general and visitors to Canada being at risk if unarmed...

My statement is NOT a "comment about Canadians in general".  You misread it.  It's a comment about Canada, the country & it's government, choosing to disarm the legal populace - not a comment on "Canadians in general".  Frankly I like Canadians and have said so before - very polite, easy-going if I was to generalize.  Between the lines is, of course Canada can't disarm the criminals because by definition, criminals don't respect the disarming laws. And it has been proven repeatedly statistically,  criminals armed (and not) prefer to perpetrate their mayhem / violence / thievery / attacks on disarmed victims.  As for beasts - I mentioned I have had bears in camp - do not want to repeat that excitement w/o being prepared.  And bears are known to be in much if not all of Canada. So I will pick the venues I will experience while in Canada since I can't be armed.

BTW, I live in a much bigger population - the Front Range Urban Corridor was 4.4M in 2011 and has a growth rate that has consistently outpaced the national rate every decade since the 1930s.  It's statistically safer here than in many US urban areas (eg. Chicago, Wash D.C., NY, LA, Detroit) and I have never felt particularly threatened in any areas I frequent.  But I don't presume to be inside the mind of criminals and am aware that violent crime can happen anywhere.  I am prepared for it.

So the bottom line is, Canada prefers only their criminals to be armed, as law-abiding folks aren't. Criminals - hey if you want to have unarmed victims, guess where they are.  If you want to travel to Canada & carry there anyway - and get away with it - do you really want the consequences of having to USE the weapon?  Not me.  I took a chance that if any weapons are needed, the Mace and Buck knife would have to suffice.  I did notice Grizzly advisory signs in several places.  I sure wouldn't camp up there.  I've had bears in camp.  No thanks.  ( I use a .44 Magnum for camp security - with proper handloads, I think it might be enough for a grizzly - but only barely.  A .50S&W with full-power FMJ's would be a better choice.)

[msb]

My response was addressed specifically to Mark's comment about Canadians in general and visitors to Canada being at risk if unarmed...

My statement is NOT a "comment about Canadians in general".  You misread it.  It's a comment about Canada, the country & it's government, choosing to disarm the legal populace - not a comment on "Canadians in general".  Frankly I like Canadians and have said so before - very polite, easy-going if I was to generalize.  Between the lines is, of course Canada can't disarm the criminals because by definition, criminals don't respect the disarming laws. And it has been proven repeatedly statistically,  criminals armed (and not) prefer to perpetrate their mayhem / violence / thievery / attacks on disarmed victims.  As for beasts - I mentioned I have had bears in camp - do not want to repeat that excitement w/o being prepared.  And bears are known to be in much if not all of Canada. So I will pick the venues I will experience while in Canada since I can't be armed.

BTW, I live in a much bigger population - the Front Range Urban Corridor was 4.4M in 2011 and has a growth rate that has consistently outpaced the national rate every decade since the 1930s.  It's statistically safer here than in many US urban areas (eg. Chicago, Wash D.C., NY, LA, Detroit) and I have never felt particularly threatened in any areas I frequent.  But I don't presume to be inside the mind of criminals and am aware that violent crime can happen anywhere.  I am prepared for it.

[/quote] Fair enough.....

[gregk]

Hey msb,  you may know this area. Years ago I was in your neighborhood up by Revelstoke then over to Banff where I stopped at a firestation  to ask about a trail goin from near there S.W. to B.C.. Maps didn't show the trail connected and they confirmed it. Thought it would been nice to travel. Later I remembered pretty close to that area and about 2 years before two guys had taken think a Elk an some bad as killed the both of them before they could grab their guns ended being kinda gruesome. Oh , yes it was a Griz. To pack or not to pack or maybe to ask for trouble or not.