Between June 30th and July 21st, the Canadian Border Security Agency made four different weapons seizures that all took in a total of 25 weapons and firearms, along with 26 magazines and two illegal firearm attachments.

Starting with the seizure on June 30th, a traveller from the United States heading towards Alaska, which is allowed under strict guidelines discussed further down below, was arrested and issued a $4,500 penalty, had their vehicle seized, and forfeited all weapons below before returning to the United States.

  • a prohibited .45-calibre pistol;

  • a prohibited 9mm pistol;

  • a .22-calibre rifle;

  • a 12 gauge shotgun;

  • two prohibited pistol crossbows;

  • a prohibited airsoft replica firearm;

  • a prohibited stun gun;

  • a prohibited switchblade; and,

  • a prohibited magazine.

The next seizure came on the same day. In the second incident of the day, 51-year-old William Terry McBride was arrested that day and since has been charged on three counts under the Customs Act, and on two counts under the Criminal Code. McBride has been released in the United States and is awaiting a court date.

It was not specified whether or not he was planning to head to Alaska, or was just looking to cross the border. In his vehicle, a total of 28 prohibited items were found:

  • a restricted .44-calibre revolver;

  • a restricted .22-calibre handgun;

  • a .50-calibre muzzleloader rifle;

  • two .22-calibre rifles;

  • a .17-calibre rifle;

  • a .410 shotgun;

  • two sets of prohibited nunchaku sticks;

  • a prohibited blowgun;

  • a prohibited brass knuckles device (bladed); and,

  • 17 prohibited magazines.


Weirdly enough, that wasn't the only time a blowgun was seized. On July 5th, another traveller headed to Alaska through North Portal was stopped at the border, arrested, and handed a $3,000 fine along with having their vehicle and weapons seized, and then returned to the U.S. In their vehicle was:

  • a restricted 9mm pistol;

  • a restricted 10mm pistol;

  • a prohibited blowgun and extender;

  • five prohibited magazines; and,

  • a barrel for a 10mm handgun.


Finally was the incident on July 21st, which had the least amount of weaponry seized. Another person in transit to Alaska was arrested and fined $1,500 along with the vehicle and weapon seizure before returning to the U.S. Their vehicle had:

  • a prohibited, AR-15 pattern semi-automatic rifle;

  • three prohibited magazines; and,

  • a prohibited silencer (suppressor).

With three of the incidents revolving around travellers heading to Alaska, it's important to clarify what exactly those rules are. Travellers from the United States are only allowed over five crossings in Canada, and North Portal is the furthest crossing west allowed.

Only those with a non-discretionary purpose to travel from the mainland U.S. to Alaska are allowed to, such as work-related reasons or returning to their primary residence, and are only allowed to use their most direct route. The guidelines for those travelling through are quite strict as well such as travellers be asked to leave the vehicle as little as possible, to pay at the pump for fuel rather than walk inside, and so forth.

"Our officers are aware that even though there are lower traffic volumes, they are still watching very closely and are diligent in their examinations and they make sure that they intercept those guns they are attempting to import," said Communications Advisor for the CBSA Luke Reimer.