CANADA Border Services Agency’s Criminal Investigations Section on Friday announced charges against Corey Scott Kettering, 33, of Alaska following an incident at B.C.’s Abbotsford-Huntingdon port of entry on July 27 in which CBSA officers seized 14 firearms:

· four prohibited semi-automatic rifles (assault-style);

· three prohibited handguns;

· one restricted handgun; and,

· six non-restricted long guns.

Kettering was arrested and released on an undertaking. He is scheduled to appear in Abbotsford Provincial Court on September 21 to face charges on the following counts:

· smuggling

· making false or deceptive statements

· possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition (seven counts)

· unauthorized possession of a firearm (six counts)

Travellers are encouraged to leave their firearms at home when seeking entry to Canada. However, travellers with firearms must declare them to the CBSA officer at the first opportunity and meet import regulations.

Quick Facts

• As of May 1, 2020, more than 1,500 models and variants of assault-style firearms are now classified as prohibited and individuals cannot legally import them into Canada.
• When an individual declares a prohibited firearm at the border, they will be offered the option to export or abandon it; if they fail to declare, the firearm may be seized and ultimately destroyed.
• Failing to declare firearms can result in significant border delays, monetary penalties, criminal charges, loss of the undeclared guns, and the risk of visitors being banned from returning to Canada.