Huge number of Americans flooding in with arms in Canada

The report stated six Americans were charged so far this summer for crossing the New Brunswick border with arms.

Three men from Florida and two from New England pleaded guilty and also they were fined around $2,000.

The first case occurred this summer was about a 69-year old New Hampshire man who confessed that he had a .357 Magnum after the inspection of his SUV by the border securities. The incident occurred on May 20.

In one of the recent cases which occurred on June 23, a man was fined $2,000 for carrying two undeclared guns including a prohibited .25 calibre Raven Arms handgun.

Federal Prosecutor Peter Thorn was quoted by the Global News saying: "The offences continue to occur with alarming frequency during the summer months."

However, Thorn said most of the people who were caught for carrying guns are all respectful citizens of the USA and completely unaware that arms are prohibited in Canada.

Thorn, who has been prosecuting these cases for years, said despite Canadian government's issue of travel advisories and signage at the border, Americans are bringing guns and above all they are denying.

Thorn said he believes sentencing and not fining is the apt way of punishing the violators which could deter others from doing the same.

"Unfortunately, whereas the offenders reside in the U.S.A., it is highly unlikely that the sentencing message will ever reach those who could take heed or notice of the message," Thorn said in an email interaction with the Canadian Press.

(Reporting by Souvik Ghosh)

Image: Creative Commons.