Revolver into Canadia?
What hoops can I expect to have to jump through to take a GP100 into Canada? Keep in mind I'd like to bring it back as well. Also, what's the deal with tobacco? I was harrassed about a pack of Camels a friend left on the dashboard last time I went to Vancouver.
"Qui non est hodie cras minus aptus erit" --OVID
"Qui non est hodie cras minus aptus erit" --OVID
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Follow this link:
http://www.cfc.gc.ca/info_for-renseignement/factsheets/visitin_e.asp
Personally, I wouldn't take any gun into Canada; there are just too many possibilities for problems, & I assume that you want to return before you are able to file for Social Security.
Neal0 -
Three summers ago, I drove into Canada at Niagara Falls with two handguns in the car.
We declared the guns, and I showed my police ID. The Canadian Customs people were very friendly, and they were interested in the guns, but not in my status as an officer. I got the impression that anyone carrying a gun would be treated the same way.
I unloaded the guns and handed them over. The officials gave me a receipt for them. When we returned later in the day, through the same point of entry, I handed in the receipt and got the guns back.
No problems, except for feeling nekkid walking around Niagara Falls.
You might want to check in advance, since things do change. My receipt said my property was surrendered to the Crown with no recompense. I was alarmed and asked the Customs guy about it. He said that is an old form, and had we crossed a few months previously, that would have been the case. The guns would not have been returned. But, they changed the policy and allowed people to get their guns back when leaving Canada.
By the way, the sign on entry said we must declare "offensive weapons." Since I had no offensive weapons, only defensive ones, I was going to say nothing. Wife opened up her head and told the guy we had guns.
SIG pistol armorer/FFL Dealer/Full time Peace Officer, Moderator of General Discussion Board on Gunbroker. Visit www.gunbroker.com the best gun auction site on the Net! Email gpd035@sbcglobal.net0 -
I had a similar experience as Nunn. I was on vacation and had a handgun and a rifle with me.
I entered Canada from Wash state into B.C. I had to check the handgun at the border, but they didnt care about the rifle. I kept the rifle while in Canada and picked up my handgun upon leaving.
I have heard stories of Canadian customs getting a bit too nosey about guns, like not only asking "do you have any guns in your vehicle", but "do you own any guns in your home state?
Their job is to keep certain guns out of Canada. It is none of their business if you have any guns back at your home.
Joe
"Never let school interfere with your education"0 -
gunnut 505,
--unless you are bringing the handgun into Canada to use in competition ( IPSC, Bullseye,PPC, etc ) and have paperwork that you can provide to Canada Customs to that effect, the gun will have to be checked at the border.We do not have concealed carry and handgun hunting is illegal so I'm afraid you are out of luck.
Rick ( in Canada ) rfo1
"I'm Your Huckleberry."
Val Kilmer "Tombstone"0 -
Please ... without fail ... absolutely ... contact the Canadian authorities and get straight answers about what it takes to bring a long arm into Canada.
You cannot bring any handgun, including a pellet or BB gun, in unless previous arrangements have been made and you are going to a recognized pistol match. Requirements are stringent.
I've been going into British Columbia, via Washington State, since 1966 --- when I was a pup. [:D]
I have a cabin on a lake in British Columbia, in the remote Cariboo (yes, that's how it's spelled) region, 200 miles west of Williams Lake. Because the area is remote, and there are black bear and grizzly about, we've always brought a rifle.
In 2002, the Canadian authorities at the border begrudgingly allowed me to bring my Marlin .45-70 rifle and 20 cartridges across, but they warned they would not do so again unless I paid the $50 (Canadian) fee that is now in place.
In 2003 I didn't bring any firearm across. I felt uneasy at the cabin and plan to bring a rifle or pump 12-gauge when I go to the cabin next summer (2005).
There are certain rifles that are strictly forbidden: AR15, M1 Carbine, M1A1, and I believe the M1 Garand is also forbidden. The Canadian authorities don't much care for semi-autos. Short barreled shotguns with folding stocks may also be prohibited (it's been a while since I've seen the list, so I can't recall).
Find the Canadian Customs website through a search and study it thoroughly.
It's news to me that Canada lets you store your handguns at the border! Not too long ago, they confiscated them. If the law has changed, it's for the good.
Oh .. and never bring an unsterilized mattress across, that you intend to leave in Canada. I tried to bring a used mattress, which was nearly new, on the canopy of my pickup.
The "Mattress Mounties" at the border refused to let me enter because it didn't have a Certificate of Fumigation! The option was to drive back to Spokane, the nearest fumigator, and lose two days while we had it fumigated OR leave it at the dump on the Washington side.
Reluctantly, we left it beside the pit at the landfill, at a small Washington town. Made me sick. Later, I bought a new bed and left the mattresses in their plastic, which was fine with the Canadian authorities as this proved the mattress was new and had never been used.
The worst thing you can do at the border is lie. The second worst thing you can do is argue. And never start citing the U.S. Constitution and your "right to bear arms."
That's plain ignorant: you're trying to enter a foreign country where the U.S. Constitution does not apply. Canada is a foreign country, not a protectorate of the U.S. Accept its laws, culture and tradition --- "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."
If I'm pleasant or at least even-toned, I find that the customs people are the same. Only once, in the early 1970s, did I find a customs officer who was being an angry ass. I shrugged it off, believing that he'd had a bad day. We all have them and sometimes our anger is directed at the innocent.
Do NOT try to enter Canada without fully knowing its firearms regulations. And get this information from the best source, the Canadian Customs. Don't go by what someone else tells you (including me), for they may be wrong and it may cost you dearly.
I've found the Canadian Customs people to be friendly, helpful and eager to help answer questions. It's almost like they're flattered that you took the time to contact them. But then, by going to them you make their job a lot easier at the checkpoints too.
Oh .. one other thing ... My brother and I were stopped in 2003 on the U.S. side in a routine check. The U.S. Customs agent asked if we were U.S. citizens and asked us to prove it.
We hauled out our driver's licenses.
Well, that's not good enough. He wanted birth certificates or a U.S. passport. We were stymied.
It was all a test. He wanted to rattle us. If we had become overly nervous we surely would have been directed off to the side for a thorough search of the vehicle. As it was, while he tried to rattle us with a series of questions two other agents quickly looked through our goods in the back, including our ice chest.
After the customs guys in the back gave an all-clear, his demeanor suddenly changed to smiling, where he had been gruff before. We'd passed the "rattle test."
But he warned us that in the future, U.S. citizens should bring a U.S. passport to expedite entry. I'm about to send mine off for renewal.
A passport is a good document to have nowadays. It lasts for 10 years, costs about $60 (not including photo) but can positively identify you as a U.S. citizen if you're ever questioned.
You don't NEED a passport to enter Canada but it's a good idea to have one. No need to carry it on your person when you're in Canada, but keep it locked up. Make a photocopy of it, and keep the copy in your suitcase, wallet or purse. If it gets stolen, that photocopy can help you get a new one, via the American Embassy, more quickly.
Hmmm I've gone from guns to mattresses to birth certificates to passports ... funny how the human mind can wander and still retain a connective thread! [:D]
"A hit with a .22 is better than a miss with a .44!"0 -
well i can only say what really nunn has already said..i go to canada often and cross at the rainbow bridge in niagara falls..i declare it on the canadian side... i asked on the american side and they will not hold it for you there...the canadian customs have always treated me well and a few times they did not even want the magazine...when i go to pick it up on the way back they carry it to the border and hand it to me to make sure i go back to the us...they always ask the value of the firearm and always put it in a sealed bag...as far as carrying it in canada...that is a flat out no...you can take your gp-100 to canada but make sure you declare it and leave it at customs!!! 0 -
Just for a little clarification... You can bring a pistol or rifle into canada that has a muzzel velocity of less than 500fps. So paintball markers are ok.
But anytime you are thinking about bringing a firearm into ANY foreign country you need to find out and make arrangements well in advance. Since 9/11 things have changed and the penalties are far more severe.0
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