An U.S. woman who lied about having a handgun in her vehicle at the Osoyoos border is paying a fine.
Janice Marie Purdy, 64, pleaded guilty to making a false or deceptive statement regarding the import of goods and possessing a firearm without a license or registration in Penticton Provincial Court on Feb. 6.
Purdy, a resident of Arizona, was on vacation with her husband driving through California and Washington State when she and her husband decided to take their trip to Canada.
On Sept. 27, 2016 Purdy’s husband was driving when they approached the Osoyoos border and both were asked if they were carrying any firearms in the vehicle and replied they were not.
Purdy indicated she had ammunition in the car and that she had a concealed carry permit in Arizona. The vehicle was eventually searched and a Beretta 21A semi-automatic handgun was located in the centre console in the backseat of the vehicle unloaded.
Purdy admitted to possessing the gun and a further search of the vehicle turned up a magazine with six .22 rounds and one loose round as well as a holster. Pepper spray and a box of 50 rounds of .22 ammunition was also in the vehicle.
In her statment to border officers, Purdy said the couple had left on vacation two weeks prior and forgot the firearm in her purse when they started the trip. She said her husband was unaware the firearm was in the vehicle.
Purdy was fined $3,000.