Carrying Weapons North of the Border

[richarfg]

I've been doing some reading in regards to carrying weapons north of the border. I had read previously that you can forget about handguns and assault weapons. I read today that weapons fall into three categories: allowed, restricted, and prohibited. Assault weapons and handguns fall into the prohibited category, but rifles with less than an 18.5 inch barrel fall into the category of restricted; which means that it is required to have an "Authorization to Transport" from each province that the rifle is carried. My factory manufactured Henry .45-70 has an 18.43 inch barrel! I have a small problem of understanding why these restrictions are on a factory manufactured weapon. My intent is for protection and possibility of participating in an Alaskan hunt.

[Community Alumni]

OP has his info; time to close this as it's now going off the OP's topic.

[tonymull]

sue.t wrote:
Well, you're more likely to be killed by a moose than a bear according to the stats.

If you don't have a hunting permit and kill an animal, you'll also have a long delay in your trip. It must be reported and it will be investigated to ensure it was self-defence rather than over-reaction to a animal strolling by.

We've seen bears stroll by many times without causing any problem. But we don't leave anything around that will attract them or cause curiosity.

That is true, but in fairness there are way more moose than bears....and few people attempt to get a bear to eat an apple out of their hand (as I have seen people do in Anchorage in the winter when moose move into town).

[sue_t]

Well, you're more likely to be killed by a moose than a bear according to the stats.

If you don't have a hunting permit and kill an animal, you'll also have a long delay in your trip. It must be reported and it will be investigated to ensure it was self-defence rather than over-reaction to a animal strolling by.

We've seen bears stroll by many times without causing any problem. But we don't leave anything around that will attract them or cause curiosity.

[tonymull]

You have bears! Says me who spends 45-60 days a year in BC and a couple of weeks in AK without a gun 😉 Actually I suspect they fear people. The bears are just an excuse. It's too much to worry about, I don't even lock my doors at night. Because the truth is that if you happen to be targeted by a criminal or a bear which is actually charging for contact, a gun is not likely to help, nor will a locked door or a security system. That is not something most folks can sleep with. I can't live with that level of fear.

[Johnny_G1]

There is not a week goes by without this same posting showing up, why does everybody need to carry a gun when coming to Canada, we are peace loving people up here.

[sue_t]

It is a more onerous process for a Canadian wanting to take a firearm into the US than it is for an American wanting to take a firearm into Canada. Yet, we hear more Americans complain about the Canadian process, go figure.

Maybe because there are more Americans who want to travel with firearms. Canadians don't feel the same need for protection. In Yukon, few people travel with firearms unless they're out hunting.

[free_radical]

retraite wrote:

garyhaupt wrote:

phillyg wrote:
CN is very restrictive and I find the rules confusing. Can you instead have your weapon(s) shipped to a gun shop in AK for your to pick up there?

And this is what many do. No fuss, no muss...no hassles.
Gary Haupt

I agree with Gary that a number of folks do ship their firearm. But, you may find that rather expensive. To ship a firearm, as I understand it, your firearm must be shipped from one properly licensed U.S. federal firearms dealer/licensee to another (presumably Alaska). Usually each will charge a fee which could be $35 to $100 on each end, each way - plus the FedEx charge each way.

Alternatively, if you follow the rules TO THE LETTER and you're considering taking a "permitted" (not 'paper permit' but rather 'it's an OK firearm') firearm into Canada, then it's usually MUCH cheaper to figure out the rules and follow them TO THE LETTER.

But, if it's a handgun, then shipping dealer to dealer is your only "safe" choice.

In our case, though I live in the US, I chose to spend a weekend in Canada, take their PAL (Possession and Acquisition License) class, take the test, and get licensed to take "permitted" firearms into Canada with essentially no questions asked - 'cause I've already been vetted by the Canadian Mounties. The process, end to end, i.e. registration for a class to receiving my PAL license took about eight months.

Now when we get to the border - U.S. to Canada - I always hand the Canadian folks both my passport and my PAL license, whether or not I have a "permitted" firearm(s) aboard or not. We were advised to always do that in the PAL class since the Canadian computer system has flagged me (as is every U.S. PAL license holder). It does seem to speed the process.

While I'm always asked the purpose of my carrying a "permitted" firearm, if I am carrying one, (and "protection" is NOT a valid reason, as others have said) no one has ever asked to see it, verify that it is being transported in the correct manner, verify that the ammunition (if any) is also properly stored and secured, etc. I suspect that's because I take the proactive approach by handing them my PAL license before any questions are asked.

Separately, there are strict limits on the amount of ammunition that one may "import" into Canada (though the limits are higher when participating in a recognized competitive shooting event). So, if you want more ammunition than is permitted to import, then you MUST have a PAL license in order to purchase ammunition in Canada.

All that said, the Canadians are VERY strict and also VERY helpful with respect to their rules. If you have any questions - and I do mean ANY questions - about their process, rules, systems, procedures, limitations, etc. make a phone call to the Chief Firearms Officer of the province where you expect to cross. They do provide toll free numbers since they DO WANT to do whatever they can to ensure that U.S. visitors are fully informed, safe, and in complete compliance with THEIR firearms rules.

If you do opt to go get a PAL license, yes it take time, it's a bit of a hassle as most governments can be. But, once you have it, that's it. It's smooth sailing thereafter.

Cheers.

Complicated process indeed,
wish that anyone with clean record could carry firearm anywhere and anytime..

Fwiw...Some countries have even stricters laws

https://youtu.be/DtysTqRuJhI

seems to work though
http://en.rocketnews24.com/2015/02/03/japanese-netizens-proud-to-see-tokyo-named-safest-city-in-the-...

[Community Alumni]

crabbin cabin wrote:
Burbman said:
"I drove through customs pulling the TT and they didn't even stop me..."

OH yeah? When/ where? prove up that statement or quit writing fiction!

I guess you missed the joke that Burbman posted, go back and look at the photo. :B

[retraite]

garyhaupt wrote:

phillyg wrote:
CN is very restrictive and I find the rules confusing. Can you instead have your weapon(s) shipped to a gun shop in AK for your to pick up there?

And this is what many do. No fuss, no muss...no hassles.


Gary Haupt

I agree with Gary that a number of folks do ship their firearm. But, you may find that rather expensive. To ship a firearm, as I understand it, your firearm must be shipped from one properly licensed U.S. federal firearms dealer/licensee to another (presumably Alaska). Usually each will charge a fee which could be $35 to $100 on each end, each way - plus the FedEx charge each way.

Alternatively, if you follow the rules TO THE LETTER and you're considering taking a "permitted" (not 'paper permit' but rather 'it's an OK firearm') firearm into Canada, then it's usually MUCH cheaper to figure out the rules and follow them TO THE LETTER.

But, if it's a handgun, then shipping dealer to dealer is your only "safe" choice.

In our case, though I live in the US, I chose to spend a weekend in Canada, take their PAL (Possession and Acquisition License) class, take the test, and get licensed to take "permitted" firearms into Canada with essentially no questions asked - 'cause I've already been vetted by the Canadian Mounties. The process, end to end, i.e. registration for a class to receiving my PAL license took about eight months.

Now when we get to the border - U.S. to Canada - I always hand the Canadian folks both my passport and my PAL license, whether or not I have a "permitted" firearm(s) aboard or not. We were advised to always do that in the PAL class since the Canadian computer system has flagged me (as is every U.S. PAL license holder). It does seem to speed the process.

While I'm always asked the purpose of my carrying a "permitted" firearm, if I am carrying one, (and "protection" is NOT a valid reason, as others have said) no one has ever asked to see it, verify that it is being transported in the correct manner, verify that the ammunition (if any) is also properly stored and secured, etc. I suspect that's because I take the proactive approach by handing them my PAL license before any questions are asked.

Separately, there are strict limits on the amount of ammunition that one may "import" into Canada (though the limits are higher when participating in a recognized competitive shooting event). So, if you want more ammunition than is permitted to import, then you MUST have a PAL license in order to purchase ammunition in Canada.

All that said, the Canadians are VERY strict and also VERY helpful with respect to their rules. If you have any questions - and I do mean ANY questions - about their process, rules, systems, procedures, limitations, etc. make a phone call to the Chief Firearms Officer of the province where you expect to cross. They do provide toll free numbers since they DO WANT to do whatever they can to ensure that U.S. visitors are fully informed, safe, and in complete compliance with THEIR firearms rules.

If you do opt to go get a PAL license, yes it take time, it's a bit of a hassle as most governments can be. But, once you have it, that's it. It's smooth sailing thereafter.

Cheers.

[garyhaupt]

phillyg wrote:
CN is very restrictive and I find the rules confusing. Can you instead have your weapon(s) shipped to a gun shop in AK for your to pick up there?

And this is what many do. No fuss, no muss...no hassles.


Gary Haupt

[crabbin_cabin]

Burbman said:
"I drove through customs pulling the TT and they didn't even stop me..."

OH yeah? When/ where? prove up that statement or quit writing fiction!

[phillyg]

CN is very restrictive and I find the rules confusing. Can you instead have your weapon(s) shipped to a gun shop in AK for your to pick up there?

[ScottG]

cewillis wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Protection is NEVER accepted for taking a weapon into Canada.

Protection IS accepted -- but only protection from animals. And if your trip plans include places where a dangerous animal encounter is possible. I've taken a short barrel shotgun into Canada twice (to Yukon and NWT), and though Canada to Alaska once -- always with necessary permits.
Do it right, and there aren't any problems.

OB is right in that if you claim a fire arm for protection it raises a red flag to the border guards.

[Russell_Clifton]

We are leaving for Alaska in a few weeks and I was all set to take my 12 gauge with me. Now I have read that no weapons are allowed in the BC provincial parks. Since I am planning on staying in several of these parks, I think I should leave the gun at home. What has been your experience with this issue?