An undeclared firearm was seized at the North Portal border crossing on April 2. Communications Officer, Luke Reimer, explained that the .45 caliber handgun was located when an Alaska bound man was referred by border officers for further examination. 

"While searching his SUV, the officers found a dismantled .45 caliber handgun in three parts. The magazine, the receiver and the barrel were concealed in three separate pieces of luggage. Our officers seized the gun with no terms of release and the traveller was arrested and paid a $1000 penalty for failing to declare. After he was released, he was returned to the United States for committing an offense upon entry to Canada."

This was the 15th undeclared firearm that officers in Saskatchewan have seized this year to date.

"We are seeing that when Americans are moving from one of the lower 48 states to Alaska or vise versa, they'll often transit through with all their possessions including their firearms and we see more travellers heading north in the spring and summer months. In general, when travellers are going to Alaska, they need to remember to declare their firearms because if they don't we will seize them and we may peruse criminal charges."

He adds that travellers are able to export or abandon the firearm without penalty if they declare even if that gun itself is not allowed into Canada.

"We just want to remind travellers to declare their firearms," adds Reimer, "particularity to US visitors who are coming through. There are differences in US-Canadian gun laws. You won't be in trouble for declaring, but if you don't declare, the penalties can be significant. We recommend that you don't travel with your firearm and leave them at home if you are planning to come to Canada, but if you do choose to come to Canada with guns, make sure that you know the rules and make sure that you are declaring them when the Border Services officer asked you.

The rules regarding travelling with firearms are available on the CBSA website. 

READ MORE: Significant Seizures At Saskatchewan Borer Crossings