What's the right punishment for an American crossing into Canada with a gun?

[jesuschrist]

What's the right punishment for an American crossing into Canada with a gun?

According to this article http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/national/seizures+border+crossings+rise/7466074/story.html
, in July and August alone - 441 gun seizures at the border crossing. Yikes!

Under Canadian law, it's trafficking/smuggling firearms. An example punishment is this: http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2012/10/26/grandfather-goes-to-jail-for-smuggling-guns-at-windsor-border/ - 3 years mandatory minimum for a senior citizen with one revolver, three semi-automatic pistols and 56 rounds of ammunition.

3 years in Canadian jail - which typically means eligibility for parole application at 1/3 of sentence (1 year), and statutory release from custody at 2/3 (2 years), with the remaining 1/3 on parole. After such a border violation, will probably be barred from entering Canada forever as a distinct possibility.

I don't think 3 years is enough. I put this up there with manslaughter because of the potential for death of many persons and also for the ability to fundamentally change safety for Canadians. 10 years minimum.

What do you think?

 

[sbill]

First of all, are we talking about Hells Angels smuggling in full-auto M16s to sell, or some goober with a legal (in the US) personal gun who can't quite process that we are not the 51st state? From the article:

Jason McMichael, first national vice-president of the Customs and Immigration Union, said while guards uncover caches of weapons destined for organized crime from time to time, the vast majority of firearms seized at the border are legally owned by Americans who refuse to accept that their 2nd amendment right to bear arms doesn’t apply in Canada.

It’s why crossings in Southern Ontario, for example, are so busy with firearm seizures, he said.

“It’s very, very easy to own a firearm in places like Ohio and Michigan. Not only is it easy to own one, but it’s also very easy to get a concealed weapons permit,” he said.

“It’s such a part of their life to carry this arm that when they cross the border, they can’t imagine being here in Canada without it, so often they don’t declare it and it ends up being found and therefore seized.”



Also, if they have the right permits and licences, it is perfectly legal for example American hunters to declare and bring their rifles into Canada with them:
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/fs-fd/visit-visite-eng.htm

If on the other hand you are talking about an invasion force a la 1812, the appropriate time honored response is to go burn down the White House, but I'm not really sure we as Canadians are up for that these days

 

[FunSugarDaddy]

What's the right punishment for an American crossing into Canada with a gun?

According to this article http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/national/seizures+border+crossings+rise/7466074/story.html
, in July and August alone - 441 gun seizures at the border crossing. Yikes!

Under Canadian law, it's trafficking/smuggling firearms. An example punishment is this: http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2012/10/26/grandfather-goes-to-jail-for-smuggling-guns-at-windsor-border/ - 3 years mandatory minimum for a senior citizen with one revolver, three semi-automatic pistols and 56 rounds of ammunition.

3 years in Canadian jail - which typically means eligibility for parole application at 1/3 of sentence (1 year), and statutory release from custody at 2/3 (2 years), with the remaining 1/3 on parole. After such a border violation, will probably be barred from entering Canada forever as a distinct possibility.

I don't think 3 years is enough. I put this up there with manslaughter because of the potential for death of many persons and also for the ability to fundamentally change safety for Canadians. 10 years minimum.

What do you think?

I think you have to determine intent. If it's someone who honestly didn't know the rules and has no criminal record, I think 3 years is more than enough, actually it may even be a bit harsh. However, if it's a known biker with a criminal record he should be more than 3 years, perhaps 5-10 depending on the number of guns and the caliber, and their purpose. (ie hunting rifle vs M16)

 

[ReluctantPooner]

If it's just some redneck American who didn't know the rules they should have 2 choices: 1) turn around and go home or 2) forfeit their weapon for the duration of their visit and apply to have it returned to them at a later date.

No need to punish people needlessly.

 

[Tugela]

A permanent ban on entering Canada should do it.

That is what the American's would do. Oh, and about 30 years in a federal prison! :thumb:

 

[badbadboy]

A permanent ban on entering Canada should do it.

That is what the American's would do. Oh, and about 30 years in a federal prison! :thumb:

Consfiscate the weapon, fine them $10,000 and ban them from Canada forever. Seize their vehicles and put them in jail until the fine is paid in full.

Just like our people who have been banned for mere possession of a small amount of marijuana at US Border Crossings. There are thousands of these people BTW.

The 'average' citizen (doesn't matter where you live) knows the law and you can not do anything about stupid people who can not comprehend our Canadian Laws.
laws.

 

[jesuschrist]

Consfiscate the weapon, fine them $10,000 and ban them from Canada forever. Seize their vehicles and put them in jail until the fine is paid in full.

Just like our people who have been banned for mere possession of a small amount of marijuana at US Border Crossings. There are thousands of these people BTW.

The 'average' citizen (doesn't matter where you live) knows the law and you can not do anything about stupid people who can not comprehend our Canadian Laws.
laws.

That's the best thing I've heard in awhile!