Crossing the Border to Canada (continued from another thread)

[Albertaguy]

Originally Posted by McMonk

Sadly, no - we'll be well out west by that time! Hate to say it, but crossing that border has become such a pain we really don't go south too often anymore...it does sound like fun though and looks like a good deal for the money - enjoy!

What do you find is a pain crossing the border? The only thing that I notice is that you now need a passport. I have never been challenged or put through a secondary since 9-11.

[Seann45]

Originally Posted by Albertaguy

What do you find is a pain crossing the border? The only thing that I notice is that you now need a passport. I have never been challenged or put through a secondary since 9-11.

My RV got X-rayed last time... ( SweetGrass border crossing)

[Denise]

Originally Posted by Seann45

My RV got X-rayed last time... ( SweetGrass border crossing)

How did they x-ray it? Don has said we would have difficulty going across the border as we can't bring a gun into canada (he keeps one with him). If we hid it somewhere, an x-ray would find it I suppose? (He says he won't hide it anyway...).

[McMonk]

It's really not so bad - but we did have most of our fridge confiscated once (illicit fruits & veggies and pre-packed sandwich meat)...I suppose it's mostly the interrogation as you cross that gets me. I fly quite often down south and just hate the whole process... admittedly we haven't driven across for some time now.

There's only a few times in my life when I've felt the need to carry a gun (and did so), but never on this continent. If I'm carrying my weapon it means people are shooting at me!

[Seann45]

Originally Posted by healthi

How did they x-ray it? Don has said we would have difficulty going across the border as we can't bring a gun into canada (he keeps one with him). If we hid it somewhere, an x-ray would find it I suppose? (He says he won't hide it anyway...).

Get caught with it go to jail... In 57 years I have never needed one.... and yes I am a competitive hand gun shooter. US Customs has a big room you drive into the passenger compartment is just forward of a line and ZAAAAAPPPPPPP. then you get waved thru.

[Denise]

Don is retired LawEnforcement and a "reserve officer" and thus can "carry" in the US. So he has a weapon with him where ever we go. Kinda used to it for the past 34 years. If we plan a trip through Canada, we can't do the gun? I'm guessing this xray thing will keep us from "carrying" through Canada even on the way to Alaska

[Denise]

Thanks for verifying this for us! There's no way we want to be in trouble in our country let alone a foreign one! Thanks for the tip on the safe deposit box. When/if we cross the border north, we will keep this in mind

[Seann45]

Originally Posted by healthi

Thanks for verifying this for us! There's no way we want to be in trouble in our country let alone a foreign one! Thanks for the tip on the safe deposit box. When/if we cross the border north, we will keep this in mind

Take your gun into a pawn shop near the boarder... it works out cheaper that a safety deposit box and is just as safe.

[Denise]

Originally Posted by Seann45

Take your gun into a pawn shop near the boarder... it works out cheaper that a safety deposit box and is just as safe.

How does that work? Not familiar with how a pawn shop does business.

[Denise]

I talked to Don about options for his weapon when we go up or through Canada. He would not leave it at a pawn shop. He would consider the safe deposit box if anything. Thanks and appreciate the info

[Bob Landry]

I went across the border in Sept of 2001. needless to say the vehicle search was very extensive. The border guys completely dismantled everything I had packed, but were very professional and put everything back exactly as it was.
That being said, it's unlikely I will visit Canada again since DW and I both have a Concealed Handgun License and we both carry .45s when traveling. There's usually one in a hidden pocket in the truck and another readily accessible in the trailer. Am I paranoid? No, why should I be? Seriously, I would never consider going anywhere unarmed.

[cekkk]

DW and I both carry. Colorado CCWs are recognized in all contiguous states now, and we actually avoided going into Canada last summer simply because I refused to travel unarmed thousands of miles in the U.S. to satisfy Canadian law for a few days. Not paranoid, just lived decades in D.C. and Maryland.

[Denise]

Originally Posted by cekkk+

DW and I both carry. Colorado CCWs are recognized in all contiguous states now, and we actually avoided going into Canada last summer simply because I refused to travel unarmed thousands of miles in the U.S. to satisfy Canadian law for a few days. Not paranoid, just lived decades in D.C. and Maryland.

I hear ya! What a dilemma. That's the only thing that kept us from traveling north to Alaska a couple of years ago *pout*

Don just went for a walk today with oldest granddaughter. He called me to tell me they changed their route because they crossed paths with a coyote! First thing I asked is if he had his weapon (ok.... so I asked if they were ok first! *sheesh*). I think us Americans are just gonna have to accept that we will hafta live without our weapons if we want to approach or travel through territories north of the lower 48! (Anyone know the least expensive safe deposit box on the border, LOL)

Albertaguy... Sucks to relinquish your duty weapon and legally carry as retired.... sorry to hear that. Don has a permit to carry still in the US. Although we have traveled out of the US (usually flying/cruising) without his weapon, we just aren't used to camping/driving without it.

[Gibby3275]

Thats the biggest difference between Canada and the US. You feel that you NEED to be armed. In some places, you probably do. You need to carry because everyone else is.

In Canada, it isn't an issue, because everyone can't (legally) carry a pistol. Trust me, you wont need it in Canada. Our murder rate is about one tenth of yours, per capita.

BTW I own rifles, shot guns, and pistols. In my 50 years I have never come close to needing one for protection.

It's too bad that you have to live in fear like that! Allways being armed. We certainly dont.

Would you really shoot a coyote? They are all over the place here and are harmless.

[Denise]

Originally Posted by Gibby3275

It's too bad that you have to live in fear like that! Allways being armed. We certainly dont.

Would you really shoot a coyote? They are all over the place here and are harmless.

Glad you feel safe

LOL! uhhhh no, we don't coyote hunt here! There are quite a few hiking trails in the area and once in a while coyotes have attacked humans. We usually avoid going near them and vice versa for the most part.

[Gibby3275]

In reality, in Canada, if you are not a young black male, the chances of you being shot are almost non-existant. (I'm not racist, thats just the way it is)

I went to the funeral of a Toronto Police Officer yesterday. He wasn't shot, he was killed by a stolen snow plow. Traggic all the same.

[Denise]

Sorry Gibby, but I think the thread somehow diverted to 'traveling safety North of the US Border'.... Ummmm, There is no safety concern traveling through Canadian Territories (on our part anyhow). The issue was -how do we keep Don's weapon with us in Canada if we begin in the lower 48 and plan to return back to the US.

We received numerous informative replies from members here as a result to help us know what to do with it. Thanks for the input ya'alls

[Gibby3275]

Good to know you're not worried about coming up here. There is lots to see (that's why we just bought a 5th wheel. I haven't seen most of it yet).

Sorry, but there is no option to keep your pistol (legally). I wonder if you could just bring a shotgun? It's not a pistol! Say it's for bear protection!