Gun seizures at border crossings on the rise

Postmedia NewsOctober 29, 2012 3:56 PM

OTTAWA — Less than two weeks after a border guard was shot by an American at a British Columbia crossing, new figures suggest guns — particularly restricted and prohibited ones — are a growing problem for customs officials in the Pacific region.

And while B.C. may have its hands full when it comes to firearms crossing the border, it ranks in the middle of the pack when it comes to staffing, and both the Opposition and union officials are concerned about pending budget cuts at the Canada Border Services Agency.

“I guess my general concern here is that the government is cutting the budget for the CBSA and admit they’re going to lay off at least 250 people,” said Randall Garrison, the NDP’s public safety critic.

“At the same time, statistics are showing not just an increase in people crossing the border but an increase in firearms seized at the border. It’s a circle you can’t square. Is the public safer when you’re cutting the budget for border services when at the same time, firearm seizures at the border are going up?”

Five years ago, border guards in Southern Ontario were seizing the largest number of guns but already this year, guards in B.C. have seized 60 per cent more firearms than their Southern Ontario counterparts — 72 firearms compared to 45 between January and June.

It’s a trend that’s been ongoing for the last few years, according to the figures released by the government in response to a written question in the House of Commons from the NDP.

Since 2007, B.C. border guards have seized a total of 795 firearms. Southern Ontario border guards were not far behind with 745 seizures. With 600 firearms seizures since 2007, the Prairie region was the next busiest followed by Northern Ontario with 171.

The fewest gun seizures — 112 — occurred in Atlantic Canada, while the number of guns seized in Quebec has dropped dramatically since 2007. There were 79 firearms seized at the Quebec border in 2007, compared to just five last year. Over the last six years, a total of 141 guns were seized in Quebec.

Esme Bailey, a spokeswoman for CBSA, said a “large percentage” of firearms seized in the Pacific region are destined to or from Alaska.

She also noted that seizure stats can involve one or more weapons and that a large seizure could impact results for a given year.

“The CBSA places a high priority on the detection and interdiction of undeclared firearms and prohibited weapons,” she said.

“Canadian firearms laws are clear. All travellers must declare any firearms and weapons in their possession when they enter Canada. Anyone who does not declare them upon arrival can be charged (with) the smuggling or trafficking of firearms into Canada.”

The total number of firearms seized at border crossings spiked last year after several years in decline and it appears border guards could be on track for another big haul this year.

In the first six months of 2012, border guards across the country confiscated 247 firearms. It’s the most firearms seized for the same time period since 2007, the most recent year for which complete statistics are available.

And since July and August are consistently the busiest months for firearm seizures at Canadian border crossings, the figures are certain to rise.

In all, there were 441 firearm seizures last year compared to 584 in 2007. It dropped to 475 in 2008 and again to 408 in both 2009 and 2010.

Over the last six years, restricted and prohibited firearms have, on average, accounted for nearly three-quarters of all the firearms taken at Canadian border crossings.

Jason McMichael, first national vice-president of the Customs and Immigration Union, said while guards uncover caches of weapons destined for organized crime from time to time, the vast majority of firearms seized at the border are legally owned by Americans who refuse to accept that their 2nd amendment right to bear arms doesn’t apply in Canada.

It’s why crossings in Southern Ontario, for example, are so busy with firearm seizures, he said.

“It’s very, very easy to own a firearm in places like Ohio and Michigan. Not only is it easy to own one, but it’s also very easy to get a concealed weapons permit,” he said.

“It’s such a part of their life to carry this arm that when they cross the border, they can’t imagine being here in Canada without it, so often they don’t declare it and it ends up being found and therefore seized.”

The issue of guns at the border was thrust into the spotlight in recent days after border guard Lori Bowcock was shot in the neck on Oct. 16 while on duty at the Peace Arch crossing in B.C. American gunman Andrew Michael Crews, 32, killed himself shortly after.

It’s raised questions about the need to arm border guards, something the government began doing in 2006 and is just about halfway through.

“The fact that there is such an influx of firearms, both prohibited and restricted, coming across the border, it only makes sense that our folks defending the border should be armed,” McMichael said.
While he understands that it takes time to get everybody trained to carry guns, his bigger concern relates to staffing levels.

The new figures suggest B.C. border guards logged just 55,098 full-time equivalent hours last year, after Southern Ontario with 2,439,013 hours, Quebec with 764,125 hours and the Atlantic region with 620,739 hours. B.C. was previously the third largest crossing in term of staffing.

Despite assurances to the contrary, McMichael fears the 250 cuts will impact front-line services.

“It’s been our contention that there was already a staffing shortage,” he said. “It’s a concern that we may not be able to effectively do the job. They’re asking us to do more with less.”

tcohen@postmedia.com

Gun seizures at border crossings on the rise