I cross into Canada several times per year and have for many years.
Based on my experience, Canada has adopted the correct policy for
these "guards".  Most of the ones I have met would more than likely
hurt themselves if issued a firearm.

Ron K.

Hi -

Here's a link outlining Canada's laws for brining firearms into Canada:

http://www.cfc-ccaf.gc.ca/info_for-renseignement/factsheets/visitin_e.asp

"Firearm Users Visiting Canada

The Canada Border Services Agency is responsible for controlling items
brought into Canada. However, here is some basic information if you
wish to bring a firearm or other item regulated by the Firearms Act
into Canada.

The Firearms Act is a federal law and applies all across the country.
Provinces may have additional requirements, especially with respect to
hunting.

You must be at least 18 years old to bring a firearm into Canada. If
you are younger than 18, you may use a firearm in certain
circumstances, but an adult must remain responsible for the firearm.

If you have been convicted of anything considered a criminal offence in
Canada, including driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you
will need to get approval of rehabilitation or a temporary immigration
permit from Canada's Minister of Citizenship and Immigration before
you can enter Canada. Contact the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate
for more information.

Classes of Firearms and Devices

There are three classes of firearms in Canada:

   * Non-restricted (most common rifles and shotguns): These may
generally be imported for purposes such as hunting, protection from
wild animals in remote wilderness areas where firearms are allowed, or
target-shooting. They may also be taken in transit through Canada by a
reasonably direct route.
   * Restricted: These are allowed for certain purposes, such as
target shooting at an approved club or range, but they are not allowed
for hunting or self-protection.
   * Prohibited: You cannot bring a prohibited firearm into Canada.

Some firearms are classified as restricted or prohibited under the
Criminal Code based on their general characteristics (e.g. barrel
length or calibre); other restricted and prohibited firearms are
specified by name in Criminal Code Regulations.

Some large-capacity magazines are prohibited even if the firearms to
which the magazines are attached are allowed. As a general rule, the
maximum capacity is:

   * five cartridges for most magazines designed for a centre fire
semi-automatic long gun; and
   * ten cartridges for most handgun magazines.

There is no maximum magazine capacity for other types of long guns,
including semi-automatics that discharge only rim-fire ammunition.

Replica firearms, except for replicas of antique firearms, are
prohibited and cannot be brought into Canada. Replica firearms are
devices that look exactly or almost exactly like a real firearm but
that cannot discharge a projectile or that can only discharge harmless
projectiles. As a rule, to be prohibited, a device must closely
resemble an existing make and model of firearm, not just a generic
firearm. Many of these devices have to be assessed case by case.

Devices designed exclusively for signaling purposes (e.g. flare guns),
and intended to be used solely for that purpose, are exempt from the
requirements set out below.

Prohibited Firearms

This fact sheet answers some of the most common questions about how the
Firearms Act applies to prohibited firearms.
What firearms are prohibited?

The Criminal Code defines the following firearms as prohibited:

   * automatics, including those that have been converted so that they
can only fire one projectile when the trigger is squeezed;
   * handguns with a barrel length of 105 mm (4.1 inches) or less, and
handguns that discharge .25 or .32 calibre ammunition, except for a few
specific models used in International Shooting Union competitions;.
   * rifles and shotguns that have been altered so that their barrel
length is less than 457 mm (about 18 inches) or their overall length is
less than 660 mm (about 26 inches); or
   * any firearm prescribed as prohibited - These can be found in
the fact sheet listing restricted and prohibited firearms.

Who can have prohibited firearms?

You are allowed to possess certain prohibited firearms if you had one
registered in your name when it became prohibited and you continuously
hold a valid registration certificate for that type of prohibited
firearm from December 1, 1998 onward. The Firearms Act refers to this
as being "grandfathered".
Does my grandfathered status allow me to acquire all types of
prohibited firearms?

A Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) only allows you to acquire
prohibited firearms in the same categories as the ones currently
registered to you, and only if the firearms you wish to acquire were
registered in Canada on December 1, 1998.

As a general rule, your PAL will indicate what prohibited firearms you
are licensed to acquire by showing the section of the Firearms Act that
grandfathers you, as follows:

  1. 12(2) means full automatics.
  2. 12(3) means converted automatics.
  3. 12(4) means firearms prohibited by former prohibition order No.
12. You can find out which firearms are in this category on the fact
sheet listing restricted and prohibited firearms.
  4. 12(5) means firearms prohibited by former prohibition order No
13. These, too, are listed in the fact sheet listing restricted and
prohibited firearms.
  5. 12(6) means handguns with a barrel length of 105 mm or less or
that discharge .25 or .32 calibre ammunition. On licences issued on or
after April 10, 2005, these firearms will be referred to as 12(6.1)
firearms.

Your eligibility to acquire a particular prohibited firearm will be
confirmed during the transfer process.

Grandfathered status allows you to possess and acquire prohibited
firearms that are already registered in Canada, but not to bring a
prohibited firearm into Canada as a new import.
What do I need to do to maintain my grandfathered privileges?

To stay grandfathered for a particular category of prohibited firearm,
you must continuously hold a valid registration certificate for a
firearm in that category from December 1, 1998 onward. A registration
certificate is valid only if your firearms licence is valid, so make
sure you renew your licence before it expires.

All registration certificates issued under the former law (prior to
December 1, 1998) expired on December 31, 2002 so it was important to
have re-registered it under the Firearms Act before the old certificate
expired. If you have not re-registered your prohibited firearms, please
call 1 800 731-4000 to find out your options.
Can I acquire a prohibited firearm if I am not grandfathered?

No you cannot:

Exception: If you are not grandfathered, the only prohibited firearms
you may possess or acquire are handguns with a barrel length of 105 mm
or less or that discharge .25 or .32 calibre ammunition, and only if
all of the following criteria are met:

   * the handgun was made before 1946, and
   * the handgun was registered in Canada on December 1, 1998, and
   * you are the child, grandchild, brother, sister or spouse of the
lawful owner, and
   * you are acquiring it for an approved purpose such as target
shooting or as part of a collection.

In these circumstances, you can lawfully possess the handgun in
question, but you are not grandfathered or authorized to acquire more
prohibited handguns.
Can I sell, give or lend a prohibited firearm to someone else?

You can lend a prohibited firearm to anyone with a valid
Possession-Only Licence (POL) or PAL authorizing them to possess that
particular category of prohibited firearm. If you lend a firearm, you
must lend the registration certificate as well.

You may sell or give a prohibited firearm only to someone with a PAL
that is valid for that category of firearm. When a firearm changes
owners, it must be registered to the new owner. This can be done by
calling 1 800 731-4000 or by submitting form CAFC 681.
What do I need to do to transport a prohibited firearm?

All firearms must be unloaded and transported safely to deter loss,
theft and accidents.

Before transporting a prohibited firearm yourself, you need to get an
Authorization to Transport (ATT) from the Chief Firearms Officer (CFO)
of the province in which the firearm is located. You can apply by
calling 1 800 731-4000 or by submitting form CAFC 679 and mailing or
faxing it to your CFO.

The firearms must be transported in accordance with the Storage,
Display, Transportation and Handling of Firearms by Individuals
Regulations.

Prohibited handguns may be shipped between two locations in Canada,
using the most secure method offered by Canada Post that requires a
signature upon delivery. Alternatively, it may be shipped by a carrier
company licensed to transport that class of firearm.
Information

For more information, contact us by one of the following methods:

telephone: 1 800 731-4000 (Toll Free)

web site: www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca

e-mail: cfc-cafc@cfc-cafc.gc.ca

This fact sheet is intended to provide general information only. For
legal references, please refer to the Firearms Act and its regulations.

Provincial, territorial and municipal laws, regulations and policies
may also apply."

Lindakay

an American/Canadian