Don’t Bring Your Guns to Canada : Expo 86: Bring No Guns

Americans heading for Vancouver, British Columbia and Expo 86 this summer should leave their guns at home.

Travelers, either unaware of Canadian gun laws or trying to dodge them, will be turned back at ports of entry or prohibited from entering the country until they dispose of their firearms.

“You run into big hassles if you try to take a gun across the line,” says Tom Eberhardt, director of the U.S. Customs port of entry just outside of Blaine. “My advice is, don’t try it.”

Carrying a handgun in Canada is a felony offense punishable by imprisonment or a fine. Offenders usually are taken to court and fined and their weapon confiscated.

Failure to declare a weapon at the border usually results in confiscation of the weapon and a fine based on the value of the firearm, a Canadian customs official said. The average fine is about $100.