231 firearms seized this year at Southern Ontario border points
Ottawa: The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is launching a firearms awareness campaign reminding visitors to Canada about Canadian firearm laws. Canadian laws are different than those in the United States.
From 1st January until 30th August, 231 firearms were seized at various ports of entry throughout CBSA’s Southern Ontario Region. Each firearm seized at the border contributes to making communities across the country safer and ensures that these weapons remain off Canadian streets.
March 2019: A vehicle was referred to secondary for examination at the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie on March 11. During the examination, BSOs discovered 12 undeclared handguns concealed inside the vehicle along with 11 prohibited over capacity magazines. All firearms and magazines were seized. A United States resident was charged by the CBSA.
April 2019: On April 20, a vehicle driven by a United States resident arrived at the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie and was referred to secondary for examination. During the examination, BSOs supported by a detector dog team discovered 11 undeclared handguns and several prohibited over capacity magazines concealed inside the vehicle. All firearms and magazines were seized. The individual was charged by the CBSA.
A few days later, 10 undeclared handguns and prohibited over capacity magazines were found concealed in the vehicle of a United States resident who was referred to secondary for examination at the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie. The individual was charged by the CBSA.
May 2019: On May 1, a vehicle was referred to secondary for examination at the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls. During the examination, BSOs discovered six undeclared handguns and two prohibited magazines concealed within the vehicle. All firearms were seized. A Canadian resident was charged by the CBSA.
June 2019: On June 20, a vehicle was referred to secondary for examination at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor. During the examination, BSOs discovered 15 undeclared handguns along with 26 various capacity magazines concealed inside a vehicle. Two males and one female, all United States residents, were charged by the CBSA.
July 2019: On July 1, BSOs at the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge in Niagara-on-the-Lake seized three undeclared handguns and a prohibited magazine. The firearms were found in a vehicle occupied by two United States residents. The travellers paid the $3,500 terms of release for the conveyance and they were all returned to the United States.
On July 12, a traveller arrived at the Blue Water Bridge in Point Edward and declared one handgun. Following a referral to secondary, the United States resident declared another firearm. Upon further examination of his vehicle, BSOs discovered three more firearms. The three undeclared firearms were seized and a conveyance penalty of $2,500 was paid. The traveller returned to the United States.
August 2019: A vehicle arrived at the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel in Windsor on August 1 and was referred to secondary. During the examination, BSOs found two undeclared firearms in the driver’s purse. The driver paid the $2,000 terms of release for the conveyance, the firearms were seized and she returned to the United States.
On August 20, a recreational motor vehicle driven by a United States resident arrived at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor and was referred to secondary. During the examination, BSOs discovered three firearms, one semi-automatic rifle and one shotgun within the vehicle. The individual was charged by the CBSA.
CBSA Recommends:
Leave your firearm at home when travelling to Canada and/or transiting through to reach another US destination.
Have all necessary permits and ensure your firearm(s) is stored and transported appropriately.
Canadian firearm laws are clear – you must declare any firearm to the CBSA.
Failure to declare your firearms may lead to seizure, criminal charges and may make you inadmissible to Canada.
Border services officers (BSOs) play a crucial role as Canada’s first line of defence from illegal weapons, contraband and individuals who may pose a threat to the country. Firearms and weapons are high-risk commodities and CBSA is committed to preventing firearms from illegally entering Canada at the border.