next season trip to Canada

[Blueone]

There's always that guy.

I have had numerous bad experiences crossing by car. One odd one is, I was born in Canada and became a US citizen 20 years ago when I legally immigrated to the US . When you become US you are suppose to denounce citizenship from your original country. So when I cross the border I claim US citizenship...worked fine for years. Until I cross one day into Canada and the Canadian Border agent asks citizenship... I say US and he immediately goes off on this tirade about being Canadian, always Canadian, I should be ashamed and told me to tell him I am a Canadian citizen or I will be denied entry... told me to never come to this country again and say you are an American. That was one time it never happened again when I said I was a US citizen. So I am just saying you never know what your going to get with these border agents.

 

[M Prod]

I have had numerous bad experiences crossing by car. One odd one is, I was born in Canada and became a US citizen 20 years ago when I legally immigrated to the US . When you become US you are suppose to denounce citizenship from your original country. So when I cross the border I claim US citizenship...worked fine for years. Until I cross one day into Canada and the Canadian Border agent asks citizenship... I say US and he immediately goes off on this tirade about being Canadian, always Canadian, I should be ashamed and told me to tell him I am a Canadian citizen or I will be denied entry... told me to never come to this country again and say you are an American. That was one time it never happened again when I said I was a US citizen. So I am just saying you never know what your going to get with these border agents.

Yeah those guys get pretty butt hurt sometimes. I’ve heard similar stories from dual citizenship acquaintances traveling back to the US as well. Seems some of the immigration officers think they’re the poster children for patriotism in their respectful countries.

 

[The Bill Collector]

I flew into Kelowna post 9-11 and a little indiscretion from 1993 caught up with me. I had been going into Canada my whole life and didn't realize I had a potential issue... Customs separated me from my 3 friends and had me in the backroom for close to 2 hours... They searched me and all my ski equipment coming up empty and then put me on the phone with District Command in Vancouver ? maybe, but anyway I paid $200, was told if I was Canada after 3 days I was subject to arrest and that I was not to return until I had affairs squared away...

 

[Tomco]

I flew into Kelowna post 9-11 and ...

A LOT has changed post 9/11!! Listening to the rhetoric now certainly doesn't give a warm and fuzzy that any improvements in the situation are anytime soon. As others have said, do your research - reactions if stopped seem more extreme now than they did 20 yrs ago.

 

[The Bill Collector]

A LOT has changed post 9/11!! Listening to the rhetoric now certainly doesn't give a warm and fuzzy that any improvements in the situation are anytime soon. As others have said, do your research - reactions if stopped seem more extreme now than they did 20 yrs ago.

I got it all cleared up, was issued a CAN-PASS and now have a NEXUS...

 

[M Prod]

a little indiscretion from 1993 caught up with me.

Ah yes ..I had one of those too from way back when. Had to jump through some hoops when I first moved up here. Always a good idea to be forthcoming with any past misgivings. It's when you don't tell them and they find it that really pisses them off. All cleared up now and have permanent residency status here. The key is to learn from one's mistakes!

 

[Strypes]

I've been pulled aside when traveling by car to Canada twice for a "random" search! I think it has to do something with having a concealed permit. Anyway, both times the agents were respectful and just doing their jobs. Both times they even put all of our stuff back the way it was(pretty darn close)!

 

[Handsome Transom]

I've been pulled aside when traveling by car to Canada twice for a "random" search! I think it has to do something with having a concealed permit. Anyway, both times the agents were respectful and just doing their jobs. Both times they even put all of our stuff back the way it was(pretty darn close)!

Likely the reason you surmised is correct . While we do have some gun violence here it pales in comparison to the US and most gun crimes occurring here are the result of American guns coming through . Leave them at home , be honest , answer only when and what asked . And most of all be polite.

 

[Timeflys]

To be clear, Canadian hand gun laws are VERY restrictive...you can only purchase/posess a handgun after completing a course, background check, and waiting 3-4 months for approval of RPAL license. Concealed Carry is forbidden. You can only transport directly from your residence to and from an approved range or gun shop. The weapon has to be kept in the trunk (or stored out of sight) unloaded, in a locked case, with a trigger lock in place. You cannot fire them on private land. There are exceptions for Americans to bring handguns in, prior permission is required and it’s very restrictive. Better to leave them at home.
And to clarify the previous poster, it’s hand guns being smuggled in for illegal sales that are the problem....and it’s big “bidness” for the Dindunuffin gangs.

 

[Creekwood]

$hit happens both directions across the border, and internationally too. The key thing is to never lie or not tell the whole truth. If you are a dual citizen you need to say so. If you have a past "issues" you need to be straight. You may still get the whole routine, but you will get it a lot worse if they find any inconsistencies or half truths.

I had a UK border service agent grill me about my travel plans when I arrived in London after an overnight trip. He asked how long I was going to be in the UK and I said one day, that I was flying out the next day to Dublin. He asked when I was leaving Dublin and I said two days later and he asked my why I lied to him about how long I was going to be in the UK. I was groggy and did not dispute. It was only the next day when I clued in that he was implying that Dublin was in the UK. I think he was trying to trip me up or see if I got sweaty or nervous.

 

[M Prod]

$hit happens both directions across the border, and internationally too. The key thing is to never lie or not tell the whole truth. If you are a dual citizen you need to say so. If you have a past "issues" you need to be straight. You may still get the whole routine, but you will get it a lot worse if they find any inconsistencies or half truths.

I had a UK border service agent grill me about my travel plans when I arrived in London after an overnight trip. He asked how long I was going to be in the UK and I said one day, that I was flying out the next day to Dublin. He asked when I was leaving Dublin and I said two days later and he asked my why I lied to him about how long I was going to be in the UK. I was groggy and did not dispute. It was only the next day when I clued in that he was implying that Dublin was in the UK. I think he was trying to trip me up or see if I got sweaty or nervous.

Dublin is not part of the UK though. It's part of the Republic of Ireland which is independent. Only Northern Ireland and Belfast are considered part of the UK ...much to the dismay of many of the residents there. So ..sounds like your guy was either A)an idiot B)a total dick, or C) All of the above. I'm going with C!

 

[Creekwood]

Dublin is not part of the UK though. It's part of the Republic of Ireland which is independent. Only Northern Ireland and Belfast are considered part of the UK ...much to the dismay of many of the residents there. So ..sounds like your guy was either A)an idiot B)a total dick, or C) All of the above. I'm going with C!

Yup. That was my thought. All of the above.

 

[Blueone]

The key thing is to never lie or not tell the whole truth. If you are a dual citizen you need to say so.

I only know being a Canadian first and then a US citizen. When you become a US citizen you have to denounce your current country's citizenship. So you are now just an American. However Canada doesn't recognize this, so once a Canadian always a Canadian. You can get a Canadian passport after the fact, we all have one but never use it. and you can say you are dual citizenship but only in Canada.... You stand the chance of the US taking your Canadian passport from you if found or you showed it to them. When going into Canada your US passport says where you were born, so they know you are a citizen. Only once in the hundreds of times I have crossed the border was this an issue.... but they also can't deny you access for that reason since your a citizen. We keep our Canadian passports locked up all the time.

 

[Creekwood]

I only know being a Canadian first and then a US citizen. When you become a US citizen you have to denounce your current country's citizenship. So you are now just an American. However Canada doesn't recognize this, so once a Canadian always a Canadian. You can get a Canadian passport after the fact, we all have one but never use it. and you can say you are dual citizenship but only in Canada.... You stand the chance of the US taking your Canadian passport from you if found or you showed it to them. When going into Canada your US passport says where you were born, so they know you are a citizen. Only once in the hundreds of times I have crossed the border was this an issue.... but they also can't deny you access for that reason since your a citizen. We keep our Canadian passports locked up all the time.

I guess when a Border Service Agent gets their "grumpy pants" on, they will find something to harass you with. Some of them have that "mall cop" position of power attitude.

 

[Gofirstclass]

A funny story to share about carrying handguns into Canada....

In the 1980's I was a cop and firearms instructor and the department's armorer. I was enrolled in the S&W Academy in Mass for a 2 week course. I needed to bring some guns to work on in the academy but knew of the problems transporting them across Canada.

I planned on flying into Detroit to spend some time with my bro, then borrow his car to cross into Canada at Sarnia then back into the US at Niagara Falls. I wanted to save several hours driving time.

All the law enforcement agencies in CA told me I couldn't bring handguns through CA until I happened to get connected to the head of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). I mentioned my plight to him and he asked me when I was planning on crossing the border at Sarnia. It was on a Sunday, mid afternoon when I was going to cross. He gave me his personal home phone number and told me to call him when I got to the border as he only lived about 10 minutes away. I have him all the make/model/serial numbers of the 6 handguns and thanked him.

When I got to the border the Customs guy was having a fit over the handguns. I kept telling him I was just a cop from WA and then I asked to use his phone and called the head of OPP. He arrived about 10 minutes later with all the proper paperwork that allowed me to take the guns through CA then bring them back on my return. I signed the papers then he invited me to his family's Sunday afternoon BBQ.

I politely declined and was about to go on my way when the Customs guy said "OK, he's gone now so you can tell me....Who are you really?" He thought I must have been some bigshot to get the head of OPP out on a Sunday to take care of my paperwork.

I just said "If I told you who I really am it would cost you your job."