Aubie
Mar 4, 01, 3:33 pm
FYI: On another thread there was discussion of personal security, and since Canada is commonly visited, I wanted to post this exert from the state dept site:
"Pepper spray, mace and similar defensive weapons are prohibited under the Criminal Code of Canada. Travelers who declare prohibited weapons are allowed to abandon them or export them without penalty."
Canada does allow firearms if they are used for hunting purposes and permission is obtained in advance. In reality, hunting firearms are much more deadly than handguns, its just they are harder to carry and conceal.
When driving to Canada, since many in the U.S. do carry self defense sprays or even firearms, it is better to declare them, even though Canada has a fair justice system.
When you declare a weapon, you can request Canadian customs to store a weapon or security device so that you can retrieve it when you depart. Obviously, this only works if you leave Canada through the same entry point. Also, you will have to declare a weapon when going through U.S. customs. Be premptive. When reaching the border, have the U.S. customs register the weapon(at least if it is a firearm). When you come back, your registration receipt will prove you are not importing the weapon. Be sure you will not trigger any customs violations or state violations. If after passing through customs you are going to be in violation of the state law, I am unsure if customs is allowed to inform state law enforcement. I would think not.
Never carry a firearm into Mexico - very illegal and you will be at the mercy of the Mexican justice system.
http://travel.state.gov/tips_canada.html http://travel.state.gov/tips_mexico.html http://travel.state.gov/travel_pubs.html
Most laws regarding self defense weapons are generally designed for residence of their own jurisdiction. When traveling, it is extremly difficult to know and comply with all laws. Going to another country with self defense weapons is almost impossible. This is even true when driving from state to state. I think travelers are more likely to be a victim of a crime than residents, yet they are the ones not allowed to defend themselves.
I think the ATF(Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms agency) and State department should do a better job at allowing people to carry reseaonable self defense devices. I realize that firearms are probably going to remain subject to local jurisdiction, but travelers should at least be allowed to carry concealed, non-lethal, self-defense weapons. I have been on many U.S. urban streets at 2am and never had anyone attempt an assault, yet in Western Europe, I have twice been the victim of an assualt and robbery attempt. One assault was a person with gas spray and a knife, the other assault, the person grabbed me and claimed to have a handgun. I got away without either robbery attempt succeeding.
[This message has been edited by Aubie (edited 03-04-2001).]
"Pepper spray, mace and similar defensive weapons are prohibited under the Criminal Code of Canada. Travelers who declare prohibited weapons are allowed to abandon them or export them without penalty."
Canada does allow firearms if they are used for hunting purposes and permission is obtained in advance. In reality, hunting firearms are much more deadly than handguns, its just they are harder to carry and conceal.
When driving to Canada, since many in the U.S. do carry self defense sprays or even firearms, it is better to declare them, even though Canada has a fair justice system.
When you declare a weapon, you can request Canadian customs to store a weapon or security device so that you can retrieve it when you depart. Obviously, this only works if you leave Canada through the same entry point. Also, you will have to declare a weapon when going through U.S. customs. Be premptive. When reaching the border, have the U.S. customs register the weapon(at least if it is a firearm). When you come back, your registration receipt will prove you are not importing the weapon. Be sure you will not trigger any customs violations or state violations. If after passing through customs you are going to be in violation of the state law, I am unsure if customs is allowed to inform state law enforcement. I would think not.
Never carry a firearm into Mexico - very illegal and you will be at the mercy of the Mexican justice system.
http://travel.state.gov/tips_canada.html http://travel.state.gov/tips_mexico.html http://travel.state.gov/travel_pubs.html
Most laws regarding self defense weapons are generally designed for residence of their own jurisdiction. When traveling, it is extremly difficult to know and comply with all laws. Going to another country with self defense weapons is almost impossible. This is even true when driving from state to state. I think travelers are more likely to be a victim of a crime than residents, yet they are the ones not allowed to defend themselves.
I think the ATF(Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms agency) and State department should do a better job at allowing people to carry reseaonable self defense devices. I realize that firearms are probably going to remain subject to local jurisdiction, but travelers should at least be allowed to carry concealed, non-lethal, self-defense weapons. I have been on many U.S. urban streets at 2am and never had anyone attempt an assault, yet in Western Europe, I have twice been the victim of an assualt and robbery attempt. One assault was a person with gas spray and a knife, the other assault, the person grabbed me and claimed to have a handgun. I got away without either robbery attempt succeeding.
[This message has been edited by Aubie (edited 03-04-2001).]