Hi everyone: We are in the deep planning stages for a journey to Alaska, sometime in 2016. We plan to bring along a couple of firearms - a 9MM handgun and 12g shotgun. We have read, pretty much all there is to read about how to legally journey through Canada with firearms and we have obtained the necessary NON-RESIDENT FIREARM DECLARATION form and we "think" that we are ready to attempt the crossing. However, it would surely be helpful if any of you out there have actually had the "experience" of rolling up to Customs Gate with firearms in your camper, and actually making the "declaration." Your first hand account of your experience would be most valuable for us.Both my shotgun, which is a Mossberg Model 590, 20 gauge with a 20 inch barrel, and, my handgun, a CZ 75B with a 4.60 inch barrel length, I believe, "meet" the requirements for legal passage into Canada. If you have had this experience in your camping journeys, it would be very much appreciated if you could share your thoughts and advice.Thanx .... Dan

While I haven't a close friend (dual citizen, etc) has.Took him several hours, including working his way up through the Canadian "authorities" supervision.The worst hassle was his black-power gear.

Good luck with that. Very tough weapon laws in Canada.

Hi,Take the shotgun (declare it) and leave the 9mm at home. They will not permit it's entry into Canada. I'm a retired LEO and we border Canada. I have a fellow LEO friend who was arrested for transporting a handgun into Canada through Customs. Gun was seized and they called QPP (Quebec Provencal Police) and he was arrested. No he didn't declare it, forgot about it. Stupid of him, yes! Even if he had declared it, Canada would not permit it's entry. If your going to Alaska and need the handgun while there, find someone with an FFL (Federal Firearms License) have them ship the handgun to another FFL in Alaska and pick it up while your in Alaska. Do the same process in reverse when it's time for you to return. DO NOT TRY AND TAKE IT INTO CANADA! I spent 4 months training in Canada, duty related, and I couldn't bring a handgun with me! Word to the wise!

Shotgun OK if declared. Likely a small fee.Handgun - not even maybe!!!!!!!!!! If you try the handgun undeclared and are caught, you will be arrested, the handgun confiscated, arraigned, and a trial date set. The upshot will likely be a substantial fine and bared from entering Canada for a significant period of time. Handguns are taken very seriously in Canada!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Getting a handgun carry permit is a difficult and arduous task for a Canadian never mind a non-resident.

Last summer a friend who was not going to AK had to ship his shotgun home from the boarder. If he had said he was going to AK, then the proper paper work he had would have been OK. Leave the pistol home and take a can of hornet spray instead as you cannot take mase/pepper spray into Canada. Store any shotgun ammo in the basement, have a lockable case for it broken down, and remove all 9mm ammo from your rig.More than likely your rig will be searched so do not have more booze or cigarettes than what you declare.

Crossing Into Canada with a Firearm | Good Sam Community

n7bsn
Explorer
Mar 18, 2015
While I haven't a close friend (dual citizen, etc) has.
Took him several hours, including working his way up through the Canadian "authorities" supervision.
The worst hassle was his black-power gear.
Dome
Explorer
Mar 18, 2015
Good luck with that. Very tough weapon laws in Canada.
Rettrooper
Explorer
Mar 18, 2015
Hi,

Take the shotgun (declare it) and leave the 9mm at home. They will not permit it's entry into Canada. I'm a retired LEO and we border Canada. I have a fellow LEO friend who was arrested for transporting a handgun into Canada through Customs. Gun was seized and they called QPP (Quebec Provencal Police) and he was arrested. No he didn't declare it, forgot about it. Stupid of him, yes! Even if he had declared it, Canada would not permit it's entry. If your going to Alaska and need the handgun while there, find someone with an FFL (Federal Firearms License) have them ship the handgun to another FFL in Alaska and pick it up while your in Alaska. Do the same process in reverse when it's time for you to return. DO NOT TRY AND TAKE IT INTO CANADA!

I spent 4 months training in Canada, duty related, and I couldn't bring a handgun with me! Word to the wise!
vic46
Explorer
Mar 18, 2015
Shotgun OK if declared. Likely a small fee.
Handgun - not even maybe!!!!!!!!!! If you try the handgun undeclared and are caught, you will be arrested, the handgun confiscated, arraigned, and a trial date set. The upshot will likely be a substantial fine and bared from entering Canada for a significant period of time. Handguns are taken very seriously in Canada!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Getting a handgun carry permit is a difficult and arduous task for a Canadian never mind a non-resident.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Mar 18, 2015
Last summer a friend who was not going to AK had to ship his shotgun home from the boarder. If he had said he was going to AK, then the proper paper work he had would have been OK. Leave the pistol home and take a can of hornet spray instead as you cannot take mase/pepper spray into Canada. Store any shotgun ammo in the basement, have a lockable case for it broken down, and remove all 9mm ammo from your rig.
More than likely your rig will be searched so do not have more booze or cigarettes than what you declare.
DownTheAvenue
Explorer
Mar 18, 2015
You are dreaming if you think you can take a handgun into Canada!
Nutinelse2do
Explorer
Mar 18, 2015
DownTheAvenue wrote:
You are dreaming if you think you can take a handgun into Canada!

Wow really. Read the law. You can, with proper paperwork, as long as the handgun has a 4" barrel.
Bedlam
Moderator
Mar 18, 2015
You may be able to ship your handgun to yourself in Alaska through a private carrier (not USPS). It will probably be cheaper to buy ammo in AK and shoot off remaining rounds or give them away before returning to the Canadian border although it is possible to ship ammo with some carriers as long as it is not with the weapon.
D_E_Bishop
Explorer
Mar 18, 2015
So far the replies to your post are correct, shotguns can be taken, handguns not. My question is why would you want to take a 20 gauge shotgun anywhere other than out to shoot doves. I don't believe that there have been any posts here to confirm you need it for personal protection against other people and bears will not be detoured by it if they are charging.

Take another couple of cans of oil in case you need it for your engine instead of a shotgun.
tonymull
Explorer
Mar 18, 2015
Restricted firearms Primarily handguns; however, pepper spray and mace are also included in this category. A restricted firearm may be brought into Canada, but an Authorization to Transport (ATT) permit must be obtained in advance from a Provincial or Territorial Chief Firearms Officer. The ATT will not be issued for hunting or self-protection purposes.

You'll need more than the declaration form for the handgun. But why do you wish to take a 9mm to Alaska? You'll find no use for it. Not worth the hassle.