Arizona RVer dodges 3-year jail bullet over Canadian firearms violation

A U.S. citizen should be grateful he has poor health--it kept him out of a potential three year "visit" to a Canadian prison after he tried to enter the country with a cache of undeclared weapons.

Collie Roe, a 66 year-old self-described firearms instructor from Arizona, thought he'd take a shortcut from Michigan to a New York gun show by cutting across Canada. At the border he declared he was carrying four weapons to a gun show. Customs officials must have smelled a rat, because they searched Roe's RV and towed vehicle. In reality, Roe was toting a total of 16 firearms, a loaded handgun in his pocket, and several more--including 9 mm and .45 caliber handguns--all loaded--in the immediate vicinity of his driver seat.

According to the Times Herald of Port Huron, Roe could have spent the mandatory three-year sentence in jail for his convictions on weapons possession, illegal importation, and customs evasions charges. In light of his poor health, a Canadian court rolled his convictions into what in the US is considered a misdemeanor status. Nevertheless, Roe spent three months in jail, had to pay $5,000 to get his RV and toad released, and his weapons will soon be scrap metal.

Planning Next Season's Canada Travel? Careful of Nova Scotia

“... For your safety, comfort and enjoyment we encourage you to use our fine assortment of campgrounds. We ask you not to camp or park your camping vehicle overnight in any area that is not designated as a campground (e.g. parking lots, shopping malls and beach areas). It is illegal to camp indiscriminately.” -- Official Nova Scotia Tourism Guide

Are you an 'indiscriminate camper?' In the eyes of provincial law you are, if you park anywhere but in a licensed campground. Boondock? 'Camp Walmart'? Stay in a "roadside rest area"? All these are no-nos and can get you a fine. It's a fine kettle of fish that not all RVers, particularly those from the 'lower 48' are aware of. In the eyes of many Canadian RVers, it's a "black eye" to their country and reputation for hospitality.

So if it's your intent to visit this maritime province, best to put aside a few extra dollars for staying on in one of the "fine assortment of campgrounds," that the tourism folks, and park owners, would love you to stay in.

To search for campgrounds, visit this official site.