interesting questions at the U.S./Canada border

[littlefitz]

I thought this was interesting. My brother (who also lives in PA) was crossing into Canada yesterday at 1000 Islands. Among other questions from the border guard, was this exchange:

Guard: Do you have any guns in the vehicle?
Brother: No
Guard: Do you have any guns at home?
Brother (somewhat surprised): Yes
Guard: Do you have a concealed carry permit?
Brother: Yes
Guard: When was the last time you carried a gun in this car?
Brother: I don't remember
Guard: Are you sure you haven't forgotten anything in your car? Ammo? Magazines? Guns?
Brother: I have nothing like that in here.

I have crossed the Canadian border dozens of times and I have never been asked questions like that. I thought it was interesting. They must target cars with PA plates (or other gun friendly states) for questions like that. I doubt a driver from NY or NJ gets asked those questions.

[allenr]

Never had anything like that happen to me on the dozens of crossings into Canada over the past ten years. Some of those questions seem way out of line. I can accept the questions about having guns, ammo, etc in the car. However that questioning about CC permit, when he carried last, etc were way out of bounds in my opinion. What I did yesterday is none of his business as plonk as I did it in the US.

[MARINE DIVISION TWO]

Looking forloose ammo perhaps and a bust ?with questions like this it may affect some tourisn,and what if your on your way to a canadian hunt ? Not that you want to hunt canadians but Caribou and deer ?

[normanvin]

I worked with a guy who was asked similar questions. I guess he got a little smart ass with them. He said they took his bike apart.

[X Hunter]

I got asked questions like that all the time the first 3 years I owned my boat and traveled to Ontario. The third year, I asked why me when everyone else was waved on through. I was told: You have that NRA sticker in your rear window. I took it off when I got home and the next ten years I went to Ontario to fish, I was waved on through. Now, when I travel, I go incognito. There are no bumper or window stickers on my vehicle and no hunting, fishing, shooting logos on my clothing.

[littlefitz]

I got asked questions like that all the time the first 3 years I owned my boat and traveled to Ontario. The third year, I asked why me when everyone else was waved on through. I was told: You have that NRA sticker in your rear window. I took it off when I got home and the next ten years I went to Ontario to fish, I was waved on through. Now, when I travel, I go incognito. There are no bumper or window stickers on my vehicle and no hunting, fishing, shooting logos on my clothing.

That's interesting. My brother doesn't have an NRA sticker on his car but his front plate is an American flag. I wonder if that's enough to raise suspicion these days.

[Aggies Coach]

Passed through that same crossing 2 weeks ago. They only asked if I had weapons. Was through the crossing in less than 30 seconds.

[Krichardson]

We went through there a few years back and I don't recall any firearms related questions being asked.I do remember asking the guy to stamp my passport page after his little interview was finished.It seems that they don't stamp the page if it is not mentioned.

[American1776]

I think I read somewhere that when crossing the boarder, we are compelled to answer any such questions, including what we have back in our homes.

[Walleye Hunter]

My experience is that those guys have no sense of humor and I just answered their questions with no emotion back when I used to go there.