Weapon storage before entering Canada

There should be several gun dealers in and around Bellingham. There is also an RV park near the airport just off I5 that is pretty decent.

If you pay to store it at a licensed firearms dealer, when you pick it up you might have to complete the same federal paperwork as if you were buying the gun. Be careful, and check on that before you store!

A small suggestion please ask if you can store your "firearm" at a place before the crossing into Canada and remove all parts and ammunition. CCw's are not recognized in Canada as the firearms are considered restricted with defined destinations ie; home to certified range. Again just a suggestion.

IDman wrote:
If you pay to store it at a licensed firearms dealer, when you pick it up you might have to complete the same federal paperwork as if you were buying the gun. Be careful, and check on that before you store!

You will. I contacted several dealers in Washington a real PIA to store at a dealer most have quit storing, they told me wasn't worth all the trouble. That is why I crossed at Sumas give'em $10 and sign a receipt, on return present reciept and go. It is an easy crossing and you miss the heavy traffic.
Also, remember, be careful Oregon or Washington do not recognize a California CCW.

Bank safe deposit box. Might have to open a savings account.
Zip lock bag and dig a hole in woods near crossing

Great idea. You would first need to apply for a permit to dig the hole.

I have never driven through Canada and the last time I crossed the border was more than 20 years ago. We had dinner on the Canada side of Niagara Falls. So my question is serious. Do the vehicles and rvs get searched when you cross the border on your way to Alaska?

They will ask, every time, if you have firearms aboard. If you think you can lie, or fib, to a trained border agent, good luck. And yes a significant # of RV's and cars get searched, with dogs....dogs that can sniff gun oil, gun powder residue, etc. And if you are apprehended with a gun you didn't declare, you will NEVER travel through Canada. Fines and confiscation of the firearm are automatic and jail time is a possibility. Just stick with a shotgun, declare it and do the proper forms and pay the $50 fee. I cross several times each year from WA to BC and most times there are vehicles being inspected. Same coming back to the US.

scrapnread wrote:
I have never driven through Canada and the last time I crossed the border was more than 20 years ago. We had dinner on the Canada side of Niagara Falls. So my question is serious. Do the vehicles and rvs get searched when you cross the border on your way to Alaska?

I know you are licensed. All that info pops up on Border computer screens, going either direction. You will get asked where's your gun. If you have it and haven't declared until that moment because you 'forgot' you had it, you will get turned back from Canada and maybe a fine. If you don't remember and they search and recover...bend over and kiss your bum good-bye..and your bank account and maybe your RV. And as has been pointed out..you will not be welcome into Canada ever again.

Now, I know that US authorities are as stringent as their CDN counter-parts, but I don't know what they do with a US citizen that is re entering and neglects to declare their weapon.

Gary Haupt

garyhaupt wrote:

scrapnread wrote:
I have never driven through Canada and the last time I crossed the border was more than 20 years ago. We had dinner on the Canada side of Niagara Falls. So my question is serious. Do the vehicles and rvs get searched when you cross the border on your way to Alaska?

I know you are licensed. All that info pops up on Border computer screens, going either direction. You will get asked where's your gun. If you have it and haven't declared until that moment because you 'forgot' you had it, you will get turned back from Canada and maybe a fine. If you don't remember and they search and recover...bend over and kiss your bum good-bye..and your bank account and maybe your RV. And as has been pointed out..you will not be welcome into Canada ever again.

Now, I know that US authorities are as stringent as their CDN counter-parts, but I don't know what they do with a US citizen that is re entering and neglects to declare their weapon.

Gary Haupt

Actually, we are not required to license guns or ourselves. Either way, we are not planning to drive through there for at least a year, so I am just doing research right now.