Post by Woody Williams on Nov 9, 2005 6:00:52 GMT -5
PUBLICATION: WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
DATE: 2005.11.08
PAGE: B2
SECTION: City
WORD COUNT: 453
Hunters slow down airport by carelessly toting bullets
Leah Janzen
Leaving Canada after bagging their fill of big game and waterfowl,
visiting hunters are causing headaches for airport security by forgetting
to properly pack their ammunition and firearms.
Hunters coming to Manitoba appear to be the worst offenders.
The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), which handles all
baggage and traveller screening at Canadian airports, has noted a spike
in the number of bullets, rifles and other hunting paraphernalia being
illegally transported in carry-on luggage or in travellers' pockets.
"The biggest problem is in Winnipeg," said Anna-Karina Tabunar of CATSA.
"We've seen bullets, live ammunition, casings and replicas." This is the
first year CATSA has compiled such data.
Tabunar said so far this year, screeners have intercepted 155 pieces of
ammunition at Winnipeg International Airport -- including 51 key chains
with bullets on them. Bullets are not allowed in carry-on luggage, even
if they are not live ammunition. But screeners are finding that, too.
In October, Winnipeg officers found 20 pieces of live ammunition,
compared with nine from April to June.
Tabunar said most often it's a case of a hunter forgetting a bullet in
his backpack or in his pocket or simply not knowing what the rules are
for transporting dangerous goods.
Each time a screener comes upon a bullet, firearm or bear spray, the
Winnipeg Police Service -- which has an airport unit -- has to get
involved. Police have to be called to ensure the ammunition is not live
and that the gun is properly registered and packed.
"When one traveller is delayed it creates a domino effect and then other
travellers are inconvenienced," Tabunar said. "Hunters need to become
more aware of the rules." Carl Wall of the Manitoba Lodge and Outfitters
Association, said the spike in intercepted hunting paraphernalia at the
airport this fall could be related to a good hunting year in the
province.
He said this fall's warm weather conditions and an abundance of game
have made Manitoba an attractive destination for U.S. hunters.
leah.janzen@freepress.mb.ca
How to pack a gun
Here's a look at how to properly prepare hunting equipment for travel:
- store rifles, shotguns and ammunition separately in checked baggage
- make sure guns are unloaded and securely locked
- ammunition must be securely packed in a marked container, separate
from the firearm
- passengers can transport a maximum of five kilograms of ammunition
- bows and arrows, animal repellents and knives must travel in checked
baggage and should be securely wrapped
- prior to travelling, hunters should inform their air carrier that they
are transporting these types of items
For more information contact the Canadian Firearms Centre at
1-800-731-4000.
Source: Canadian Air Transport Security Authority
DATE: 2005.11.08
PAGE: B2
SECTION: City
WORD COUNT: 453
Hunters slow down airport by carelessly toting bullets
Leah Janzen
Leaving Canada after bagging their fill of big game and waterfowl,
visiting hunters are causing headaches for airport security by forgetting
to properly pack their ammunition and firearms.
Hunters coming to Manitoba appear to be the worst offenders.
The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), which handles all
baggage and traveller screening at Canadian airports, has noted a spike
in the number of bullets, rifles and other hunting paraphernalia being
illegally transported in carry-on luggage or in travellers' pockets.
"The biggest problem is in Winnipeg," said Anna-Karina Tabunar of CATSA.
"We've seen bullets, live ammunition, casings and replicas." This is the
first year CATSA has compiled such data.
Tabunar said so far this year, screeners have intercepted 155 pieces of
ammunition at Winnipeg International Airport -- including 51 key chains
with bullets on them. Bullets are not allowed in carry-on luggage, even
if they are not live ammunition. But screeners are finding that, too.
In October, Winnipeg officers found 20 pieces of live ammunition,
compared with nine from April to June.
Tabunar said most often it's a case of a hunter forgetting a bullet in
his backpack or in his pocket or simply not knowing what the rules are
for transporting dangerous goods.
Each time a screener comes upon a bullet, firearm or bear spray, the
Winnipeg Police Service -- which has an airport unit -- has to get
involved. Police have to be called to ensure the ammunition is not live
and that the gun is properly registered and packed.
"When one traveller is delayed it creates a domino effect and then other
travellers are inconvenienced," Tabunar said. "Hunters need to become
more aware of the rules." Carl Wall of the Manitoba Lodge and Outfitters
Association, said the spike in intercepted hunting paraphernalia at the
airport this fall could be related to a good hunting year in the
province.
He said this fall's warm weather conditions and an abundance of game
have made Manitoba an attractive destination for U.S. hunters.
leah.janzen@freepress.mb.ca
How to pack a gun
Here's a look at how to properly prepare hunting equipment for travel:
- store rifles, shotguns and ammunition separately in checked baggage
- make sure guns are unloaded and securely locked
- ammunition must be securely packed in a marked container, separate
from the firearm
- passengers can transport a maximum of five kilograms of ammunition
- bows and arrows, animal repellents and knives must travel in checked
baggage and should be securely wrapped
- prior to travelling, hunters should inform their air carrier that they
are transporting these types of items
For more information contact the Canadian Firearms Centre at
1-800-731-4000.
Source: Canadian Air Transport Security Authority
