Crossing Into Canada with a Firearm

[SheriDan28]

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

[The_Mad_Norsky]

Jfet wrote:
So if you do not have a permanent residence (full timing in camper), where might one store rifles, shotguns, handguns for a year or so while taking a trip up through Canada to Alaska?

Really big safety deposit box?

Not sure about any time limit, but some of the smaller law enforcement agencies along the northern border would also store firearms for folks traveling into Canada.

The local sheriff's office in North Dakota (my former residence) did this on a regular basis.

Best to call in advance of travel and ask about these things.

[bka0721]

Jfet wrote:
So if you do not have a permanent residence (full timing in camper), where might one store rifles, shotguns, handguns for a year or so while taking a trip up through Canada to Alaska?

Really big safety deposit box?

As Bedlam shares too, most border American border towns have gun shops set up for storing of firearms for those that carry up to the border and not over.

A quick check on Google often supplies this information. Most gun shops will store weapons for periods of time. I currently have one in a shop in Colorado, for storage. Also, purchasing weapons in states you don't legally reside can be challenging, as you must ship this new firearm to a gun dealer in your home state and then must be present to pick it up.

As for fulltimers, they learn very quickly the residency requirements for many things, voting, vehicle registration, mail, gun permits, drivers’ licenses and health insurance. Which is another hurdle to learn when choosing to fulltime and you don't have a home or any other property to your name.

Bottom line is, don't take a gun into a foreign country. Leave it at home or make arrangements to store it prior to arriving at the border. Mexico is even stricter. Ammunition found in your RV there will get you detained.

There is more information on this subject and your personal safety in an RV in this article;

Personal Safety in a Truck Camper

b

[Bedlam]

I know some gun stores offer storage rental so you do not have leave weapons at home when you are away.

[Jfet]

So if you do not have a permanent residence (full timing in camper), where might one store rifles, shotguns, handguns for a year or so while taking a trip up through Canada to Alaska?

Really big safety deposit box?

[flht_db]

SheriDan28 wrote:
Just got off the phone with a representative from the Canadian Chief Firearms Office, in Alberta. Here's the rule on handguns: You CAN bring a handgun into Canada but only for the purposes of "transporting" it to Alaska. To do this, you'll need a "ATT (Authorization To Transport) form from "the province you enter into Canada." And here's the CATCH 22, you only have 7 days to make it from your point of entry, to the Alaskan border. Same rule applies when you return to the Lower 48.

So the bottom line for us is - no handgun will be on-board.

The rep. told me (in no uncertain terms) that if you're planning on touring in any of the Canadian provinces for more than 7 days, you are NOT ALLOWED to bring a handgun of ANY KIND - period end.

A shotgun is permissible as long as you have the "NON-RESIDENT FIREARM DECLARATION" form filled out, in triplicate, and leave all copies unsigned and are ready to pay $25 (Canadian CASH Only)) at the border.

I do plan to contact the Canadian authorities again closer to the time where we depart to see if I get the same answer just to make sure.

Editorial Note: I've owned firearms for many decades and the laws that surround their "carry" and "transport" is as complicated and confusing as ever, in the USA and Canada. It's a sad situation where the "rules" only really apply to law abiding citizens.

I did the same when I was riding my motorcycle up to Alaska last summer. Wanted to bring a handgun as it is much easier to carry then a long gun on a bike. I called and was told the same info and the application form they sent required very detailed travel plans, and needing specific days you were crossing the border, Which border crossing and how long between. Just way to specific considering the extent of my plans were to leave Jersey a certain date and get back to Jersey by a certain later date.

So I just nixed the idea, good thing because on the way back I broke down in Haines Junction, YK, got towed to Whitehorse, then towed Edmonton, Alberta. Ended up leaving Canada on the 7th day.

[FreeLanceing]

I went to Alaska last summer. I have a CCWP for Mi, and have had for over 20 years. I left all firearms home. When I got to the border it was alittle slow. The gal asked a few questions then she got to the gun issue. I am guessing my passport info revealed I had a CCWP permit. She asked where my guns were, how many I owned. Where my ammo was. She told me if I was lying about any answers my vaca would be in a canadian cell. This went on for ten minutes or so. I finally asked a few questions myself. I told her I read the rules and did not think it was worth the hassel. She said in her 5 years at the border she had never seen a US national alowed in Canada with a hand gun. She said 1 long is permisable and not much problem if you do it all correctly. When I go back I will leave the guns at home its not worth risk. I don't have time to research the laws of every proverence and town I will be in. I never felt a need but I would sleep better if I had my 9 under the pillow.

[The_Mad_Norsky]

:h

Hate to burst bubbles here, but you CAN take a hand gun into Canada.

BUT, it has to be for the exact right circumstances, and under very strict restrictions from Canadian authorities.

And about the ONLY reason I can recall it being allowed was if you were taking the handgun in for participation in a certified shooting range event. And even then, barrel length and magazine capacity were strictly limited in what was allowed.

So best bet is leave it home locked up in your gun safe. The folks I know who took a handgun into Canada were all law enforcement from North Dakota, attending to shooting events, and even they had strictest of regulations to follow to clear customs at the border.

It is just not worth the hassle.

[Nutinelse2do]

Not worth it

[sleepy]

I could tell you about hunting and fishing trips into canada in the 1950's.... then living 6 miles from New Brunswick 1959 to 1962 (USAF).... went again in 1965 with Janet and one child... and concieved another.... then again in 1969.... 1973... 2009 in and out.... and 2010 for 3 months

But... by golly Jimboo... none of this info would make any difference in what's happening now

Different times, different laws, different provences....

Why try to stick your wants and ways in the other guys eyes? I do find most Canadians very nice and polite....no graffitti, no roadside trash.... never saw road rage... I felt perfectly safe.

Yes sireee Joebob... I leave my guns at home... ammo too.... say yes sir and thank you.... smile

looking forward to your trip report...

Chet

[Butch50]

When we traveled to AK in 2013 I took my 12 gauge with me. I had all of the paper work filled out but not signed as someone else stated. When I crossed the border it was like I was a criminal trying to get into Canada. I declared it when we crossed and was told to pull over into a marked area and go in, I did this and the agent asked if my truck and camper was locked. I told him the camper was but not the truck. He asked me for the keys and I was told to stay in the building. When he went to the truck my wife and dog were in it and he told them to get out and stand over on the grass about 100' away.

He then went into the camper and went through everything in there. Not just looking for the gun but everywhere cause I told him exactly where he would find the gun. After the camper he proceeded to go to the truck and went completely through the cab of the truck.

I guess I looked like a dangerous criminal a really old one at that as I was well into my 60's.

When he came back in then we finished the paper work and I signed the form paid my $25 and was supposed to be on my way till I went to the truck and had to put most of the stuff back in the console of the truck from all the things he pulled out and neglected to put back. So after another 15 minutes of packing we were off. When we stopped that night then we had to put the stuff all back together in the camper.

Now I never had any other problems with crossing any of the other borders with the paper work in hand. When I pulled up I told them I had a shotgun and showed the paper work and was on my way.

We were also carrying pepper spray but it was marked Bear Spray, no problem with that.

If I would have know then what I know now I never would have taken my shotgun with me. I never took the trigger lock off or even took it out of its case. We did a lot of boondocking and I walked in the woods walking our dog all the time. Never had any trouble.

If I go again there will be no guns in my rig.

I grew up in Montana and most all of my mothers relatives lived in Alberta so we were back and forth across the border all the time. Never had any trouble, but that has been many years back and things do change.

ON EDIT: Just to add to the good advice that CA Traveler posted. When you have answered the question they have asked stop, don't just blab on and on. The agent only wants the answer to the question not your life history. The great majority of the agents are nice people and will treat you with respect if you do the same.

[CA_Traveler]

iwon415 wrote:
Tell them just transporting it through to destination.

So is your post a April Fools joke or you're suggesting lying to the border agents?

How many times have I posted: Remove your hat and sun glasses, look directly at the agent and answer every question directly and honestly?

[iwon415]

I better post quick, these topics seldom last long...
I passed through Glacier enroute to Waterton with a shotgun. Was ready to pay the 25 bucks and file the form. Made the mistake of saying I was going to Waterton. Wrong, no firearms of any sort allowed in Canadian National parks, border patrolman said he couldn't carry one into the park unless on official business!
So had to check my shotgun with him overnight, came back next day after visiting the park. He gave me paperwork to enter with it and travel to Washington state and exit with it.
Don't ever tell them its for self defense either, won't allow it...
Tell them just transporting it through to destination.
As for the people saying you can bring in a handgun, forget trying it...
(they may very well be an April fools joke or simply a troll)

[John___Angela]

joeshmoe wrote:
No pepper spray? But I bet you can go to the local sporting goods and buy yourself one big a** knife though. What nonsense.

The equalizer stays with me at all times during travel. Guess I'll never go to Canada.

.

I hear your frustration but would have to ask, if you won't travel without a handgun, where in the world could you travel. Serious question. I don't own a handgun but if I did, where in the world could I travel with it ? Seems to me I would be grounded in my own country. I love my country but spending all my life in it would kinda suck. Maybe I'm wrong. Are there countries that allow foreigners to travel with a handgun???

[billtex]

SheriDan28 wrote:
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

I can't believe how many of you fell for this...geez...it's not even April 1!

[tonymull]

JumboJet wrote:
Back in 1977 I crossed into Canada from Alaska with my Mom and Dad in a pickup truck with a camper shell on it. We had a 7.62 Mauser pistol, 30-06, and an M1 Carbine.

We didn't have to a Passport back in those days either.

I bet I would just now be getting out of prison if we had been checked. Mom and Dad passed away a long time ago.

And the guns didn't kill anyone as we crossed Canada and Mom and Dad slept peaceful in their tent each night while I slept in the camper shell.

NOt sure about pistols back then, but even in 1990 when I moved down to WA from AK US Customs just wanted to measure the barrel of my shotgun to make sure it was long enough, didn't care about the other firearms I had. Canadian customs didn't look at all. Just asked if I had firearms, I told them and they waved us through. Things have changed.