Great Parks

[twentling]

Has anyone had any experience carrying a handgun while on the Canadian portion of the ride?

[MidSouth]

I wouldn't try crossing the border with one.

[indyfabz]

I wouldn't try crossing the border with one.

+1. We got the thrice-over crossing at Roosvile for a 4-day stay back in '09. The border guard asked. among other things, if we had any weapons and studied all of our responses closely. You get asked that and hesitate or show physical signs of lying and you very well might get searched.

Out of curiosity, why would you carry a gun with you?

[John Nettles]

My bags were thoroughly searched (44 yo man at the time) at the Emerson port south of Winnipeg.  I don't know what made them think I was carrying anything (I wasn't) or maybe they were bored.  I was glad afterwards they didn't question my Halt! dog repellent as I "think" they consider that a weapon.

There must be ways to legally get a gun across the border due to hunting but I do not know what they are.

Maybe just call the Canadian Border Protection (or whatever they are called)

[John Nelson]

There are legal ways to take guns into Canada, and to carry guns in Canada, but it involves a lot of paperwork.

[indyfabz]

There are legal ways to take guns into Canada, and to carry guns in Canada, but it involves a lot of paperwork.

Found this:

http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/rightsandfreedoms/a/gunstocanada.htm

"Leave the gun. Take the cannolis."--Peter Clemenza

[twentling]

Why do I carry a gun?  I am an American who exercises my rights afforded by the Second Amendment of the Constitution.  I have my conceal carry license and I carry a semi-automatic to protect myself.  I carry it always, on and off the bicycle.

[Bclayden]

I choose not to live in fear.

[MidSouth]

I really don't think Canada is going to recognize your rights under the Second Amendment of the  US Constitution.

[twentling]

I have ridden across the U.S. twice.  Once with a girlfriend and once solo which i feel proves that i certainly don't live or ride in fear.  I KNOW Canada won't recognize my right to bear arms...and I either won't ride there or I'll ride without the gun.  If anything, I am honest and a law abiding person of any country.  I have written the RMP for an exception and we'll see what happens.  Thanks for the comments and everyone have a great summer!

[Cowboy Bill]

Twentling...

Carry whatever protection you feel is necessary...don't listen to the wussies.
I asked online a few posts ago about the border safety on the ST route.  Basically all's I got back from the ACA folks was that it is all good, don't worry.  And from other cyclists, well...people are being murdered all the time...just go and hope the border patrol can save you.
I say..trust your instincts...read my posts back a bit under ST Border Safety.

This comes from a former Marine, careful on my travels but not afraid, I'm taking a big old knife, that can scare people without you getting into trouble like carrying a gun will.

Safe travels,

Cowboy Bill

[Bclayden]

@ Cowboy Bill.

Maybe an inappropriate question but curious....why label people "wusses" if they don't feel the need to carry a gun everywhere they go?

[mathieu]

Last year I rode a big part of the Great Divide route together with a retired navy seal. He was a fanatic on lightweight equipment. When I wondered somewhere in Colorado why he didn't dispose of his bear spray can, he smiled and said that it was not only about bears. He carried it up to the Mexican border. So why need a gun?   

[indyfabz]

I asked online a few posts ago about the border safety on the ST route.  Basically all's I got back from the ACA folks was that it is all good, don't worry.  And from other cyclists, well...people are being murdered all the time...just go and hope the border patrol can save you.

Where do cyclists say that in the thread you started?