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XP/Specarms Raided by CBSA
Canadian Airsoft Largest Importer All Items Ciezed
POLICE Raided XP yesterday and ciezed all goods and computers I was going to buy some guns and wooah the boys were everywhere they were removing alot more than just guns any suggestions on what stores to buy from in lowermainland BC that are still ok PLEASE PM ME DONT POST |
If you can find some local news reports I'm very intested in following this story
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Im skeptical.
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Ditto on the skeptical. I just searched the Vancouver Sun for the following Keywords: guns, XP, airsoft, police, raid
And no where did I find any mention about this, and something like this would have at least made the papers. |
Where they not raided in the past?
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Police raids always make the news. Cops have ego's they always like to brag about what they did (sorry to any cops on here, but ya know its true :P ).
Even Google does not show anything about this, I'm raising the bullshit flag now. XP has recently just revamped their whole website actually looks like a legit site now very similiar to all the other retailers in the links above. Also nice to see they are stating 18+ requirements now. *Edit - found a news report from a raid like 3 years ago..... |
I love the name of this thread. It works on the busllshit-story level *and* on the mocking-the-poster's-name level. Brilliance!
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Aw, just as I posted the thread name changed. For future generations, the thread was titled "Sniff, sniff...something smells funny..."
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Ceized? im confused
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Ooops, "Ciezed"--can't edit last post yet...
I'm pretty sure that goes against every spelling/grammar rule there is. |
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Well it has now been confirmed, sounds like Specarms was hit as well. I stand corrected.
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Got a link?
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Where did you confirm this information? I am having no luck confirming it, (maybe i'm just not trying hard enough?)
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Via MSN
Turns out the CBSA likes to do this out there every year or so. Last time they did the thing with the TM brand guns. |
Yeah guys - just before you go posting your speculations about what YOU THINK, try picking up a phone and calling someone that, perhaps,...might be 'in the know' and 'on the ground' beforehand...if you catch my drift.
Please keep in mind that these are often 'exercises' to make examples, publically or otherwise - those around long enough see the relationship between enforcement and events such as this. Call me if you need clarification/examples. |
I SAW BROTHER PONCHO WITH THE DEVIL!
LET'S BUILD US A WITCH BURNIN' PYRE! |
So someone did get raided, but they are not cracking down on air soft? Just making and example of these ppl?
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I don't really understand what the "exercise" involves, do they just go in take all the merchandise and other equipments, investigate and return everything back to after?
I'm confused about its implication. |
Basically from the info gathered they do this now and then, and the whole "TM Banned in BC" last year, which no longer exists was one of them. Its a grey area on the import liscenses out west, which unlike the ones in Ontario do not always specify what the retailers are allowed to do with the guns once imported. Typically Government BS.
I'm trying to reach Terry at AK to see if this affected him as well. *Edit - just talked to Terry and he was not affected by this, so only Vancouver area. CBSA = Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) |
So, what does the Canadian Billiard and Snooker Association have to do with airsoft???
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they are pissed our hobby is more interesting
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You think they're even going to check the computers? Would they not see that they are linked to other retailers, and in turn go for them? I have a feeling the guns will be returned, but the computers maybe not. Best of luck to those involved. |
Due to this being the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), will this affect anything in Customs or are the two seperate? Just wondering, I have some Redwolf stuff sitting in BC customs right now (standard stuff, gear, adapters, mags, etc.)... Taking longer than normal...
-Daes |
Yeah this is confusing...i was hoping to stop in at Spec arms and Daves on the 17th before or after the ferry game :( hope things get sorted out by then...i'm telling you BC is just plain fucking weird..
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Pip - it's all the weed man! It's all about the weed...kidding.
If you have something in customs personally, no, it's not going to take any longer than normal. This was a specific exercise that targeted a specific scope, without going into the weeds with the details - I would simply say if you have not been contacted yet by Revenue Canada/CBSA yet then you need not worry. Going after a list of clients is way out of scope - do not be confused with any implications to yourselves. Especially you, Chicken Little! Gotta go - I hear some peasants at the door with pitchforks...(Time to go, Lucifer/Miles!) |
That is bad news.
I have some gears sitting in the B.C customs right now too. Has been a little while, I hope they don't take my body armor away. :cry: |
I dropped by XP after work yesterday to visit the boys to be greeted by CBSA agents asking if I worked there and an "empty" store. To be clear, the only airsoft items taken were AEG's and GBB's (and NBB's). All the accessories were left so those concerned about their gear in customs shouldn't need to worry.
I won't go into any details as the owner of XP had asked that no posts be made and to let the lawyers handle the matter. Interesting to hear though that only Vancouver area stores were hit. |
Danm, I was just about to order some stuff from SpecArms, guess I better hold off on that or look else where.
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Since this is in the news section and that the first post appear on the main page, wouldn't it be a good thing to correct the mistakes in it because it doesn't seem serious at all (no offences intended).
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So basically, their importing license isn't "clear" about whether they can sell airsoft to general public, and CBSA just felt like screwing over XP kinda claiming selling to general public is illegal??? From the sound of it, I'm guessing this isn't the first time this type of raid has happened? Do they usually revoke their import license for such "offence"? |
It is very crapy news
my spelling sucks You dont have to wory about accessories ( they will be slow clearing customs ) I dont post any bs or ever will I love the sport and want anyone that is at any risk to be aware of yesterdays crap |
So was it just XP or was Specarms nailed as well? As far as i know Specarms has been very reliable...
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We take the best!! And what's "Left" over every one else can have.
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*shifty eyes*...
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Well, that's 6 retailers I know in the last 6 months that have been bent over by the feds. Four of them have not really returned and probably never will.
It's a wake-up call folks for those who think that airsoft is not in a precarious legal position. The fact that there is no "black-letter" law regarding them should in no way allow you to believe they are perfectly legal. If the CBSA, or Justice want to go after you, there will always be a way. Capone got nailed for income tax evesion, Gotti got nailed for jury tampering. Just keep that in mind when you travel to a game with your Marui AEG plainly visible in it's original box. A little off-topic, but a reminder to those who've become complacent. I hope all works out for Peter and Will. They will be missed during their "vacation" from airsoft. |
I'm having problems getting to specArms site, I'm guessing they got nailed by the feds?
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Wow... I was wondering when the yearly 'Lets stir up a shitstorm in the Airsoft community' event was going to happen.
Now I can get some sleep... I was getting worried there for a second. Anyone want to start a "Airsoft is banned in Canada" thread???? Common! It'll be fun! |
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I'll talk to him tmr... |
spec arms did also get a similar visit it doesnt look good
hope things work out |
wow. so this stuff happens regularly? like annually? i hope they get their stuff back. so this only affects Vancouver area office/stores right? and not affecting online stores (like they don't have a store front / showroom) if there is any in Vancouver.
-BBS |
Few good thin a live in Montreal, hmm actualy what does it change we have like 2 stores that sell airsoft each one of them having one gun.
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We had stores selling them in the past as well, and they got shut down in a big hurry (around 1998?). The province's CFO isn't a fan of airsoft. Nobody here (walk-in stores) will carry a large stock since they know it might disappear overnight. I'm actually really amazed that SAIL has managed it for this long. Maybe because the cops know their stuff is so expensive nobody is buying there anyway. |
Starts you thinking, is worth taking a chance on going to any games while this is happening out here in BC??
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Hope so? an unexpected vist by the law at a game would be a dissapointing way to find out we have "new" laws!! that effect our ownership! maybe a little help "very soon" by the retailers effected, would clear the air? |
Either way, I plan to go (Work permitting).
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We could always pretend to "out gun" em, till they start shooting and won't call their hits!
Doubt you'll have issue with having the guns as long as you don't brandish them at the any police officers when they roll in. Chances are they'll be an officer playing there with ya anyway. I'm still more worried about the "Large groups of guys wearing camo," still on the back of my mind ever since those 17 guys were arrested here in Ontario. |
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OMG AIRSOFT IS THE BANDED AGAIN!!! HIDE ALL YOUR GUNS!
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wow iv been around for 3 years in airsoft and this is the third summer there has been a scare. heh its a good way to get rid of dumb noobs :P
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I'm just pleased I managed to get in and out of XP a day before they got their stuff 'collected'.
Bonus! |
Specarms busted too?!
http://www.specarms.com/
is down. Did Will get in the same situation as XP raid? Hopefully Will at SpecArms is fine and his guns didn't get seized! Does anyone know whats happening to XP? Are they in serious trouble? I remember that whole Tokyo Marui Ban thing in BC. Hopefully that doesn't come to Toronto! |
The thread did mention it affected Specarms as well. Just an FYI.
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The fun never ends
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:banghead: :banghead: |
Yeah it was in the orignal post, not sure what happened. We are still trying to figure it out, some of the guys over in Van may have had a chance to talk to Will, but so far no word yet..
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no alot of us know what happend but just choose not to . talk about it ... hes gonna post about it ... were just letting him tell u guys we dont want ppl to put to many stories ..sorry guys .
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Wow.. quite a difference looking at things from the other side!! I know how you feel now Tru :-D
I'm sure once Will has all the detail, then he will share what he knows with everyone else. The community needs good honest retailers like Spec Arms for sure!! Good luck in whatever you decide to do Will. |
spec arms
what happened to the specarms site?
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Nic |
nah just me merging the post above Illusions as he was replying.
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Spec Arms Airsoft
Hi there,
We've all heard about the Spec Arms Raid conducted last week as well as the unfortunate raid on XP. Still not too much is known about the pending consequences of the raid. To start off with Last tuesday I brought my guns to Will at spec arms for repairs and upgrades, Will stated that it wouild be done on thursday. I then Called him mid afternoon to check on the progress of the guns and he told me there was a problem he had to deal with and thursday would no be a good day to pick up my guns because he had people in his office. I tried calling will on Friday, No response On Saturday I was informed that Spec arms was Raided and subsequently his guns and most likely mine were taken into custody. onward from that day I've tried with no outcome to contact Will through many means. So now I am asking the help of the airsoft comunity to fill me in on the status Will and how I can contact him. also if anyone could fill me in on how I may be able to Retrieve my guns. I do Have proof that I am the owner of the guns and also I have proof that I had no intent to sell these guns. The value of the guns and attatched accesories are quite subtantial and I hope I can recover them. I would like to thank in advance for any information at all Feel free to PM if you'd like |
Best way to get in contact with Will from my experience is msn, by far.
bboylube@msn.com He's not on right now, but earlier today and yesterday he was. |
yea Will's not talking much on MSN right now. Wait for another week and let them sort things out, they'll be in touch.
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is this the reason why my supplier is havin a hard time getting my "order" in??
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Well honestly what are my chances of getting back my guns?
keeping in mind that they were not for sale nor do they fire over the legal limit. also would I have to go directly to customs to get my guns back? |
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Hopefully they get their guns back... that would be quite a loss, not something you can just 'write off'. |
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in all honesty, i dont think customs gives a rats ass if your gun was for sale, or shoots over the limit. If they raided a store of airsoft guns, they are gonna take all the airsoft guns they see. I dont think it much matters if its a crappy cyma, or a high end systema. hopefully they realize they are gay and give wil his property back, and yours aswell
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coming from a very reliable source. will and peter lost over 100 grand of products and will not be getting it back, they are shutting down the airsoft suppliers in Canada, just look at rangers and double edge. as much as I hate to say it this time it is not a scare. xp may rebound but after my discussion today id say it is doubtful that we will ever see either of them as a retailer again. also it is only a matter of time before the other retailers get nailed. take this as you may but only time will tell.
if you had guns at wills shop at the time of the bust kiss them good bye. |
Unless you are an agent of customs in the west coast region, there is no such thing as a "reliable source".
Even Will and XP won't have full information for some time, and real decisions and outcomes take awhile in any beauraucracy. Until it's become clear what if any real infractions are being leveled against them, I would wait to see what happens, and what opportunities there are for appeal. |
I seriously hope your right hojo and this all blows over,
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its such a shit thing to hear that the CBSA has nothing better to do than raid airsoft shops. youd think that there are more important things going on like drugs being smuggled, real guns, illegal immigrants, etc... shit can be taken sooo overboard sometimes. good luck to the guy who lost his gun, i can only imagine what thats like, and good luck to XP and getting their business back up and running if they decide to do so.
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Your "reliable source" was probably on crack when you talked to him/her. |
Phenom - how do you know? Just because it doesn't sound right? I would say it's actually pretty realistic. It's ok though - we won't blame you for not knowing any better, or knowing any 'reliable sources' in BC.
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The last time i check XP inventory for my store ! he had 76 000$ worth of AEG / GBB in stock ! + we were at least 3 store with coming in order ! So if our order came in before the seizure, it's more than 100$K that we are talking about ! JF |
I had a gun on order from DEA and it made it as far as customs. They were only waiting for it to clear. A week later, no more special orders, my gun never made it through and all the AAC members shut down, seemingly at their prime. Randy never told me specifically, but from what I gather from e-mails, they lost their license. So did Canadian Airsoft.
These license revocations must have been initiated by the CBSA as the CFO has never been back to check on Canadian Airsoft after their license was pulled. The CBSA claimed that guns were being sold to the public, they had zero proof and would seize all shipments, even though a valid license was in place. This was at the North Portal ground division of Customs, but who knows what they're doing at Vancouver. |
Not all guns are $500. M249's quickly jack up the average cost of AEG's too. Not to mention average cost of a new G&P is $800 a peice. $500 is only a average for TM guns. Even then There are still other airsoft guns that can push prices up too, pistols for instance. And generally I would suspect they'd have a few good looking pricy shooters in there. $100,000 worth of airsoft wouldn't be THAT hard to put into a room. That's only 110 guns at an average cost of $900. And even at $500 average per item, they each only need to have 100 guns in hand.
My question to Mcguyver though is, wouldn't they have to do something illegal to loose the importation license? False declarition of an item or something like that? Or would we not have caught wind of the licenses being taken away as a whole a little sooner than this? |
I was gonna say, as long as they are not doing anything illegal surely they would be able to retain their license? And as far as the legality of airsoft and the public we all know how confusing that can be...but is it grounds for a raid?
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Alright, I take my comments back, $100k could be the reasonable amount...but all I was trying to say is that it's just another speculation more than a reliable source. (Or at least from the sound of it)
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When did this happen? I live basically right across the street from them so I figured I would have seen something or heard of something I know they closed off the roads a few days ago while the Dali lama was here (BTW Got to shake that old dudes had on my Way to work) but no I probably would have heard of this or seen it as when I look out my window and down the street I can see them in clear view
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Yeah I was shocked to hear this happend to XP cause you think I would be able to see something from a block away at the 8 floors up ...
I mean MY construction site is less then a block away and i can see the front door and well the whole building from where i work and i saw nothing man it must have happend after I got off work and to think I was going to head there to buy some new accesories (*sp) Here is hoping this is just another anual scare :salute: CBSA-----> :smack: |
The more I read, the more inclined I am to say that without any real news story, I doubt this is much more than a scare. Given the governments stance on guns and such, this story would have signifigant propaganda value in the "fight on guns and violence". I would tend to think that a headline like "CBSA Makes Large Seizure...." or "Gun Bust in BC..." would go far in silencing all the anti-gun nuts. Like has been repeatedly said, let's wait for the official word from those involved...
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Mcguyver, what happened to your gun after that? Did you eventually get it? Or did the customs took it?
I'm pretty worried right now since my piece of gear ( a ranger body armor)has been in Van. customs for 2 weeks now, and with them raiding xp and such, I am so freaked out. |
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This Chuck piece of shit had no proof, only his own ideas. Now he siezes paintball guns like the BT Armalite, HK and AK ones because they look too much like the real steel, according to him. He's siezed stocks, barrels, mag looking expansion chambers because they are for these guns, which he says are prohibited. And no, I never did get my gun. I had to order it elsewhere. |
Gosh, I hope my stuff doesn't end up like that.
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that chuck asshat sounds like this one guy @ the RCMP.
this dude was flying to meet his friends and he accidentaly dropped his ipod in the toilet, which caused a "bomb scare" among the flight attendants. so this RCMP guy goes through the dudes laptop and is like DO U HAVE HATE PROPAGANDA? No I dont, but that is not illegal in canada. well i say it is. you better watch your tone. the guy gets cleared and says to the RCMP guy: "Hey asshole. this isnt your country. fuck you. " and left. |
I think this thread may have outlived it's usefulness ... until we get concrete answers.
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come on guys, isn't anyone of the hundreds of players across canada a lwayer. can't we all pitch in a few dollers and fight the damn government on this issue in supreme court? We could even get a cows eye and show the damage that these things could cause, and if they are gonna ban our stuff ( I am not saying they are or are not ) then why don't they crack down on the Canadian tire crap gunhs that are the same design but made of clear plastic?
Just my opinion, If I was a lawyer I would do this service free of charge for the entire airsoft community in canada includeing the retailers. Just my 2 cents though, what do you guys think? |
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