Though the decision to arm BSOs has been subject to controversy in Canada, various Canadian governments over the years had felt that unarmed officers made the country less intimidating to visitors, compared to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, whose officers have carried side arms for decades. Supporters of arming BSOs said that this would help the CBSA shed its lax reputation and better enforce Canada's authority in a post-9/11 era, such as when dealing with American visitors. Moreover, the arming of BSOs received support from other law enforcement agencies, as well as the union that represents the affected officers.