Authority Abuse

We have been receiving reports from some of our customers who have entered Canada at the Sweetgrass–Coutts border. Some individuals have been required to complete paperwork and pay a fee for a box or two of ammunition. Before now, this was never an issue. Until July 2020, U.S. citizens traveling through Canada to Alaska or the contiguous United States could carry up to 5,000 rounds or primers without a permit. However, after the date mentioned above, under Title 19, the amount was increased to 50,000 rounds. I have personally crossed the U.S./Canadian border more than 30 times with anywhere from 5 to 5,000 rounds and was never required to file forms or pay a fee. To require forms and fees for a couple of boxes of ammunition from some of the travelers going through Sweetgrass indicates that a Canadian Customs agent is using their power of ‘final authority’ to make things difficult on U.S. citizens. Moreover, a few of our customers were denied entry at this exact location because they had non-restricted firearms such as simple shotguns and low-capacity hunting rifles, which are legal to bring into Canada with a Non-Resident Firearm Declaration (form RCMP 5589).

I can only speculate why a person in power would choose to exercise such unnecessary hoops through which a traveler must jump. Perhaps they wish to be arduous because of recent politics, which is like blaming a child for the sins of their parents. I suppose such a badge-heavy maneuver could also be from a prejudiced bigot who stereotypically hates Americans. If either of my suppositions is true, such a biased and ignorant individual shouldn’t be working for any government, especially in an enforcement branch. This sort of national hatred encourages travelers transiting Canada to hurry through the country, spending as little time and money as possible, which, in the long run, hurts the Canadian economy.

If this is indeed one person, and not the whole Sweetgrass–Coutts Canadian Customs station, or an officer in charge requiring his or her subordinates to act in such a dishonorable manner, I would, if I knew their name and duty shifts, post this information so that travelers could arrive at this particular customs station when more enlightened officers are working.

I hope this unreasonable practice stops soon.