Firearm deposit at border?

[TxGearhead]

Not sure how to describe this but...is there a way to leave a firearm somewhere on the US side and pick it up on the way back from a Canada/Alaska trip? Sounds like a business opportunity if not. Maybe like a safe deposit box? Or, a locker at the bus station??
It's not a show stopper, but I usually travel with a firearm. I would like to continue that. If I can't then it is what it is.

[joe_b_]

I have found several firearm storage places in Shelby, Montana, north of Great Falls. Several Shelby gun dealers offer this service. Hardware Hanks, a licensed dealer did charge $25 a month for a handgun. I have used the metal storage lockers at the Lewis and Clark RV Park, in Shelby in the past for storing,both excessive amounts of alcohol and firearms. These could be rented by the day, week or month at what I considered a reasonable cost. You provide your own padlock.

[Tom_N]

rv2go wrote:
Long guns(legal barrels lengths) , rifles and shotguns can be registered and taken to Alaska. Pistols are forbidden.
Or...Leave them at a gun shop to be cleaned.

Handguns can be taken in to Canada with the proper paperwork. The proper paperwork mostly deals with using handguns in shooting sporting events.

[johnwalkerpa1]

TxGearhead wrote:
Kinda what I'm thinking...depending on what a gun store wants to charge to "clean".
Gonna be a logistical issue..I want to hit Glacier NP on the way up or back, then through Bellingham WA and the coast in opposite direction.
Then again, I should see what hurdles Canada puts me through to bring a Remington 870 20GA Youth model.

A shotgun is simple as long as its a legal length barrel and has a traditional shoulder stock which yours does. Just get the forms ahead of time from the website and follow the instructions carefully. Its easy as long as you follow all the rules..

[nevadanick]

It was quite easy for me shipping to Ak. FFL ships it to yourself in care of the recieving FFL and that way there is no background check. They hand you the unopened package. The 2 FFL's comunicate with each other and show proof of FFL before its done.

[TxGearhead]

Hmmm, not good. I'm squeaky clean too and have a concealed license. Haven't had an issue yet and I go through the system frequently. But first time for everything, and that could be bad timing.
I can't think of the last time I had a smith at a shop do anything, maybe 12 years ago.
So if you drop off a 45 pistol at a gun shop in Browning, MT for cleaning, they run you through the feds computer before they can give it back?

[OH48Lt]

If you deposit your firearm at a gun shop, pawn shop, or any other place that has a Federal Firearms License, you must undergo a NICS check to get it returned to you. Not a problem for most people, but the system is far from perfect and there are quite a few people who generate a 3-day delay from that NICS check. The 3-day delay is in reality at least 5 days, is usually 6 days, and can be as long as 8 if there is a federal holiday worked in there. I ALWAYS get a NICS delay, even though I am squeaky clean, have been a law enforcement officer for over 40 years, have an unusual name, and held a FFL for 16 years previously. The federal government put an M-16 machine gun in my hands at age 17, but I have to wait to buy a 22 caliber single shot rifle.

Anyways, just something to keep in mind. It should be a lot easier to complete the Canadian paperwork and get it all approved before you pull up to the border. But, even that may be getting more difficult. A friend of mine goes to Canada twice a year to hunt, and this year he had to leave his shotguns at home and rent one in Saskatchewan because his paperwork (and also the other 3 in the party) was delayed over 6 months.

[TxGearhead]

Please post back what you hear.

[ford-willy]

I have been researching.

[garyhaupt]

TxGearhead wrote:
Kinda what I'm thinking...depending on what a gun store wants to charge to "clean".
Gonna be a logistical issue..I want to hit Glacier NP on the way up or back, then through Bellingham WA and the coast in opposite direction.
Then again, I should see what hurdles Canada puts me through to bring a Remington 870 20GA Youth model.

It's a shotgun. Unless it has been altered I am pretty sure you will be allowed to possess as long as the correct permits are filed. Having said that...don't be just driving up to the border with it. Go to CDN websits, and get the right info.


Gary Haupt

[nevadanick]

You could probably take it through Canada or you can do as i did and ship to Tok, Ak and on the way back have it shipped from Tok to your entry point in the US.

[TxGearhead]

^^^I think I could qualify for that.

[JackD]

From the Custom and Border Protection Office.:

Most firearms are restricted and / or prohibited from entering Canada and/or require licensing and registration. The Canada Border Services Agency is responsible for deciding whether to let a non-resident bring a firearm into Canada. As a general rule, non-residents may bring a non-restricted rifle or shotgun into Canada for approved purposes such as hunting, target shooting, wilderness protection or in-transit movement by a reasonably direct route to another point outside Canada. Restricted firearms (mainly handguns and some semi-automatic long guns) can not generally be imported into Canada.

[TxGearhead]

Kinda what I'm thinking...depending on what a gun store wants to charge to "clean".
Gonna be a logistical issue..I want to hit Glacier NP on the way up or back, then through Bellingham WA and the coast in opposite direction.
Then again, I should see what hurdles Canada puts me through to bring a Remington 870 20GA Youth model.

[olcoon]

I've heard of people getting a safe deposit box for handguns at a bank. Of course you don't tell them what is in the safe deposit box, and before you take it in the bank, make sure it's in a box or something so it isn't apparent it's a firearm.