Bordering on Insane

I missed this story when it came out last week. I haven't seen it get much play elsewhere, either.

The Canadian border guards want to carry handguns, just like the police, and they've walked off the job to make that happen. While I'd feel more sympathy for them if they championed the right for citizens to carry as well, what they're up against provides a near-perfect example of official arrogance and stupidity. Either that, or something else.

An unnamed spokeshole for Public Security Minister Anne McLellan had this to say:

"Arrangements are made with police to ensure that when an armed presence is needed, the police can be contacted to work with the border agents to address a situation."

I can't believe anyone, even a government official, is that dumb. But why would anyone want to have unarmed border guards unless they didn't really want the border guarded?

[Hat tip to Liberty Belles]