Carrying Weapons North of the Border

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.