imported post
I suppose it's worth recounting my bear spray experience.
Sometime in the late 90's we took a vacation to Vancouver Island, camping in several places. We crossed on the ferry from Pt Angeles to Victoria, and on arrival were asked (among other things) whether we had any bear spray.
Note it's completely legal to buy, and possess, bear spray in BC, or at least it was at the time, provided that it's labelled for protection against animals rather than for self-defense use. However, it's completely illegal to import it.
Being the honest, upright person I am, I recalled that we did indeed have some buried in the tent trailer, and I said so. The agent asked me to retrieve it, so we somehow found enough space to pull off in the very cramped area at the ferry landing, raised the top enough so I could get into the cabinet where it was stored, and brought it into the office.
That's when the real fun began, because they wanted me to sign some paperwork that they were going to put with the confiscated bear spray, so I could pick it up on my way back out of the country. Again being the honest, upright person I am, I informed them that we were planning to leave the island via the Nanaimo-Vancouver ferry, and thus I would not be able to reclaim the spray; could they just dispose of it for me?
MASSIVE CONSTERNATION. Apparently there was no protocol whatsoever for deliberately disposing of it at my instruction. After a lengthy amount of back and forth, the agent decided that the best way to handle it was to pretend I hadn't said anything, have me fill out the paperwork, and just file it as if I were coming back. Eventually, she said, someone will go through the old unclaimed stuff and get rid of it. She then listed off for me several shops in Victoria where I could by a local replacement, and we were on our way.
You gotta love the bureaucratic mindset!
P.S. It should be unnecessary to note that I'm not recommending this approach with your handgun!
P.P.S. If you ever get a chance to go to Pacific Rim National Park, do not pass up the opportunity!