Armed US Border Guards at Union Station?

[last5oh_302]

Armed U.S. border guards could soon be posted to Union Station — and if they ever use their guns, they may not be held accountable in a Canadian court.

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015...n-station.html

[JBen]

I believe that was part of the joint effort announced 2-3 years ago?
In essence, US leo in our territory, and any of ours operating in theirs are in effect authorized with powers of arrest and can use deadly force and more. I seem to recall something about US personnel being stationed in Toronto as well as part of it.

Given the amount of cross "border" traffic on the Great Lakes and elsewhere and given the new realities post 911 and now ISIS. Me I have no problems with it (US LEO being authorized here). In fact with the growing "threat" ISIS and radicals now present.

Almost wonder if someone in Ottawa was thinking ahead and had foresight.

[werner.reiche]

This isn't really something new. For decades we've had US customs officers in Canada at our international airports (Toronto,Ottawa - not sure about Vancouver) - but I'm not sure they are armed. Pearson to LAX is a US domestic flight.

[rick_iles]

JBen.....authorized to use deadly force is one thing, being immune to Canadian laws regarding said use of deadly force is an entirely different matter. I can't say that I'm in favour of that aspect.

[Waftrudnir]

what does customs pre-clearance have to do with using dealy force and being immune to the applicable law. sounds like big headlines...
however, the question why they need to be armed is valid - it's primarily an administrative job. an I bet there are armed Canadian LEOs around. there are a bunch of other US government officals that are armed back home and they cannot bring their arms anywhere outside their homeland when on duty (without any local LEO backup). no issues

[JBen]

Understood Rick, that's the "dicey" part of it. I would like to hope that any US leo operating here are a) well trained b) good and c) well versed in our laws.


We've seen numerous post Sky Pilot and his thoughts on many things. He is US leo, I wouldn't be concerned if he was armed at Union Station with full authorization. And If (when) the hits the fan at Union station, better them than one (hundreds) of us.

In the event something happens some day it is entirely possible one leo could cross lines, or harm/kill an innocent, and as a result not face prosecution here.

The same holds true for any of our leo, on their side of the border.
"Take care of your own".

Meaning, if one of ours gets caught up in something, and it's somewhat controversial. Maybe he/she is white and the deceased is ethinic. Would be easy for their media and politicians to go over the top and on a witch hunt, make an example of him/her. All kinds of political points up for grabs and nothing to lose, its just a Canadian cop. I personally would want one of ours "tried" here.

I think we can extend the same to theirs.Just my thoughts on it.

[werner.reiche]

what does customs pre-clearance have to do with using dealy force and being immune to the applicable law. sounds like big headlines...
however, the question why they need to be armed is valid - it's primarily an administrative job. an I bet there are armed Canadian LEOs around. there are a bunch of other US government officals that are armed back home and they cannot bring their arms anywhere outside their homeland when on duty (without any local LEO backup). no issues

Customs pre-clearance involves the same "us border guards" that this article is about. And they work under US law within our airports.

From http://www.cp24.com/news/canada-u-s-...aits-1.2281362

"It would take the pre-clearance customs system already in place at major Canadian airports and apply that to land and maritime vehicles, allowing travellers to clear customs before the border."

So it's nothing new - just applying what has been going on for decades in airports to land and marine crossings.

And its not even "news". It was news over a month ago when it was announced.

[last5oh_302]

"While U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers now preclear passengers at eight Canadian airports including Pearson, only police may carry firearms in airports, so border agents stationed there aren’t armed. The deal is promoted as a measure to facilitate trade and benefit the economy on both sides of the border, but critics say little notice has been taken of the clause that grants U.S. agents immunity from Canadian prosecution."

[woody1948]

I like the idea of having an armed officer around a crowded area like Union Station, American or not. Some crazy could do a lot of damage if he started shooting in one of those places. Maybe I am wrong, but I still trust the cops.

[Bushmoose]

I'm with you Woody. I wouldn't care what nationality the good guy with the gun is, as long as they take out the bad guy with the gun.