Community Forums

distaff · 05-07-2014, 09:26 PM

For what it is worth, I have crossed both the U.S. and Canadian borders by vehicle at a land crossing many dozens of times, and by airplane hundreds of times. During two different periods I held a U.S. visa, and worked in NYC and for a couple of years kept an apartment there. With one exception, the U.S. agents have been unfailingly helpful and pleasant. The Canadians have on many occasions been really miserable to deal with - I am not surprised by some of the comments I have read. I travel a lot on business, often to places that attract attention, so I take NO chances. I don't want to be on anyone's list of suspicious individuals. I declare EVERYTHING, with the one exception noted previously. It is not worth it to take a chance.

Border guards are a law unto themselves. Even if the U.S. ones have always been nice to me, they have enormous powers that no other LEO has. On sight a U.S. border official can ban a person from the U.S. for 5 years and there is no appeal.

Cucotx - if you want to go to the boonies, bring your shotgun, ax, or machete, but check and follow the rules. You can carry a weapon to protecy yourself from wildlife, just not people. Do NOT take any gun into a national park as it is illegal, and frankly, while we welcome visitors, we don't appreciate people that break our laws (who does?).

Coma · 05-08-2014, 06:39 AM

I have traveled to Egypt and Israel and felt more comfortable than with Border Patrol (Mexico, US, Canada). Giving unlimited powers to Law enforcement has been tried before. It always gives unsatisfactory results. They can and will harass you for their own amusement. What luck if they find you in violation of a firearms law.

**CountryFit** · 05-08-2014, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoafan

Wrong.

Anyone in the USA can legally ship a gun to an FFL.

You could even ship your handgun from yourself in your state to yourself in another state for pickup for sporting purposes .

So if you are going through Canada just ship your gun to yourself in Alaska.

yes, this is correct. when my glock 9 was defective, i mailed it via usps back to the manufacturer, and later glock fixed it and sent it back to me.

Gordon Dewald · 05-08-2014, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by distaff

For what it is worth, I have crossed both the U.S. and Canadian borders by vehicle at a land crossing many dozens of times, and by airplane hundreds of times. During two different periods I held a U.S. visa, and worked in NYC and for a couple of years kept an apartment there. With one exception, the U.S. agents have been unfailingly helpful and pleasant. The Canadians have on many occasions been really miserable to deal with - I am not surprised by some of the comments I have read. I travel a lot on business, often to places that attract attention, so I take NO chances. I don't want to be on anyone's list of suspicious individuals. I declare EVERYTHING, with the one exception noted previously. It is not worth it to take a chance.

Border guards are a law unto themselves. Even if the U.S. ones have always been nice to me, they have enormous powers that no other LEO has. On sight a U.S. border official can ban a person from the U.S. for 5 years and there is no appeal.

Cucotx - if you want to go to the boonies, bring your shotgun, ax, or machete, but check and follow the rules. You can carry a weapon to protecy yourself from wildlife, just not people. Do NOT take any gun into a national park as it is illegal, and frankly, while we welcome visitors, we don't appreciate people that break our laws (who does?).

Sound advice - when in Rome "follow the Roman's Law". If not it is probably wiser to stay home or go to a place where you like the laws better. Taking guns and ammo into Mexico is restricted as well.

cucotx · 05-09-2014, 06:44 PM

I guess it is way too complicated to go into the wild in Canada. I would definitely not want to be panning for gold with Grizzlies around and no way to protect myself ...

I think there are plenty of places to see in the US. I'll stick with plans to full time in the US only. In addition, it may not be easy to take a 45' coach through Canadian roads anyways. That's the coach I'm planning for fulltiming in a few years.

SarahW · 05-09-2014, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cucotx

I guess it is way too complicated to go into the wild in Canada. I would definitely not want to be panning for gold with Grizzlies around and no way to protect myself ...

I think there are plenty of places to see in the US. I'll stick with plans to full time in the US only. In addition, it may not be easy to take a 45' coach through Canadian roads anyways. That's the coach I'm planning for fulltiming in a few years.

Canada is a breathtakingly beautiful country with friendly people and a great highway system. The fact that I can't carry a gun across the border would never keep me from traveling there.

brian-nicola · 05-09-2014, 08:06 PM

Same going south, I love the USA! and I can't bring my guns there either, never stopped me from visiting our greatest neighbours.

Dr4Film · 05-09-2014, 08:32 PM

I travel to Alaska every few years to spend the summer with my kids and grandchildren. The first two trips I rented a small locker to store my weapons. I finally smartened up and shipped all of my weapons up to my younger son living in Fairbanks. He would end up with them anyway once I am gone so he just got them a little early.

It sure makes traveling around the country and through Canada so much easier NOT to have to worry about some LEO or Customs Officer yanking my chain.

BTW, Alberta, British Columbia and the Yukon have some of the most scenic country in North America. If people choose not to go into Canada they are missing out on some REAL beauty.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

Gordon Dewald · 05-09-2014, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr4Film

BTW, Alberta, British Columbia and the Yukon have some of the most scenic country in North America. If people choose not to go into Canada they are missing out on some REAL beauty.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

Thanks - I really like the Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper. Travel it every chance I get. I think it is best on a motorcycle but the big panoramic windows of a motorcoach will work as well.

distaff · 05-10-2014, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cucotx

I guess it is way too complicated to go into the wild in Canada. I would definitely not want to be panning for gold with Grizzlies around and no way to protect myself ...

As mentioned, one of the few places you absolutely can't have a gun is in a national park - pretty sure you can have it stored in the MH, just don't tote it around on a hike. There are a few other places that you can't carry a gun, but regarding wilderness that is the big one. Now if you are planning on panning for gold in a national park, that is also illegal, so if all you plan to do is come to Canada to break the law, you probably should stay home.

Seriously, lots of people do legally bring long guns into Canada, so don't use that as an excuse. Lots of Canada that is crown land and completely wild is NOT a national park. BTW - Banff and Jasper are.