Prosecutors say it has happened about once a week since June: American retirees, usually from the South, try to cross the Canadian border in New Brunswick with a gun – some with several guns, pepper spray and stun guns.<\/p>\n
The familiar story played out twice more on Monday.<\/p>\n
Robert Ted Yarberry of Arkansas and David Thomas Falvey of Florida arrived at the border, hours apart.\u00a0\u00a0Both told border agents they were carrying no prohibited weapons.<\/p>\n
Yarberry, told the agent he had left his gun at his hotel in Calais, Maine, for a trip to New Brunswick. \u00a0A secondary search of his van produced a Glock handgun in a holster under his seat.<\/p>\n
Falvey arrived later, also denying he was carrying weapons in his motor home. \u00a0On secondary inspection, an agent found five cans of pepper spray, four stun guns and a handgun under his bed. \u00a0Questioned about the gun, Falvey asked if that was the one under the\u00a0sink, –\u00a0the agents found and seized that gun also.<\/p>\n
Both men pleaded guilty to failing to declare weapons and making false statements.<\/p>\n
Addressing both men, the judge reportedly told them to warn their friends back home. \u00a0\u201cYou travel to another country, you had better learn the laws of that country. The message has got to get out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Falvey was fined $2,300 on top of a $6,500 civil penalty, while Yarberry was fined $2,000 along with a $1,000 civil penalty. Both were deported.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Most people are fined between $1,500 and $2,500, and face a civil penalty for the return of their vehicle, imposed at the border, he said. They forfeit their guns.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"