Canadian Border Services Agency has seen a 116 per cent increase in the number of firearms seized in the Pacific Region in the first half of 2016.

With a 10 per cent increase also recorded in the Prairie region, the CBSA is working with U.S. officials on a firearms awareness campaign to remind Americans about restrictions on bringing guns into Canada.

“Attempting to smuggle firearms across the border can result in immediate forfeiture, hefty fines and even significant jail time,” said Kim Scoville, CBSA’s regional director general for the Prairie region.

Visitors entering the border inspection line should declare any firearms at their first opportunity. Border services officers will take possession of the weapon if it is declared, but the visitor has the option of shipping it back under CBSA supervision or surrendering it without prosecution.

The RCMP has procedures for visitors bringing firearms into Canada