Excellent advice Ted.
Was just reading that it's been a big year so far for Canada Customs finding undeclared handguns in the vehicles of American tourists. They won't go easy on you....a night or two in the hoosegow and a $2000 to $3000 fine. Oh, and you won't get your handgun back and you will be in the computer for future reference.
Reading this stormtrooper stuff makes me wonder why we don't just invade Canada and make it part of the USA already. The last time I went into Canada, the arrogant young Canadian customs guy head to toe in body armor asked my small children about daddy's guns, where he stores them, how many he has, is he safe with them, etc. It was an infuriating experience for someone from a nation with individual liberty. Way too much state power, and the bigger the government, the smaller the citizen. I haven't been back to Canada since then, and I have avoided it.
As I already noted earlier in this thread, the ignorance of some Americans regarding foreign countries is nothing short of astounding.
"Storm trooper stuff"?? News flash. We have different laws. Deal with it, as the OP is trying to do his best to, or stay the $#%@ out.
You know what's infuriating pamtnman? Idiots who think our laws don't apply to them when they are guests in our country. Perhaps you should read the thread again and get a sense of why that particular customs officer might have been quizzing your family in the way that he did.
Oh, and BTW, as a regular visitor to your country, I can attest to the fact that your customs officers are no picnic to deal with. Not much "individual liberty" for either of us at the border.
