Canada and Handguns

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hamburglar

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Ok, I have done a significant amount of research on this already but I wanted to see if anyone else here had some insight.

I am planning a road trip to Alaska this summer for which, part of the journey will be through BC Canada. As a means of personal protection from wildlife I was thinking of bringing my 9mm handgun.

Please don't reply if all you have to say is a 9mm wouldn't take down a bear, that is obvious.

This being said, I've read about filing for a transport form prior to travel through Canada but in addition, there is a clause that states:

"The ATT will not be issued for hunting or self-protection purposes"...
located on this government address:
http://www.consular.canada.usembassy.gov/weapons_into_canada.asp

I do not own a rifle or have the space on a motorcycle to carry one. So it would be a handgun or nothing...

My friend and I will be camping the whole time so having a knife and handgun would provide decent protection from whatever might think we're food.

Thanks for the input,
Cole
 
Leaving the states....you have to abide by their laws. Bummer as it is....those are the laws. I wouldn't want to end up in jail in a foreign country...in fact...I really don't want to visit a foreign country either.
 
I wouldn't try it since concealing on a motorcycle isn't going to be easy. What if you actually had to use it and then someone reported you?
 
Read here, excellent guide:

http://www.panda.com/canadaguns/

Executive summary: Not possible in the amount of time between now and the summer,
even if you had an unlimited budget and infinite spare time to jump thru all the hoops.

Even with the proper paperwork, the best outcome possible would be paperwork to permit transport of double locked and unloaded handgun. Not a very useful result.
 
Don't even try it! I've heard of several U.S. citizens crossing into Canada being asked if they have a gun? Canadian customs has been known to take cars apart looking for drugs; I don't doubt that they would do it if looking for a gun.
 
Idpa, ipsc

You can take a handgun into Canada as an American for IDPA, IPSC, other shooting type competitions. There is paperwork you have to fill out and get an appropriate temporary license from the Canadians. You can only take basically a handgun that has at least a four and a quarter inch barrel. Anything less is 'prohibited' for Americans to take in for matches across the border.

As far as a temporary transport permit to take your handgun through Canada to Alaska, contact the Canadian Firearms Centre. It still must have a 4.25 inch min barrel either way. Self defense is generally not a good enough reason for foreigners to take handguns across the border.

Paperwork must be filled out way in advance for handguns. I believe long guns are easier. If you can borrow a pump shotgun that would be nicer for bear protection/transport to Alaska. I've heard people get temp licenses on the spot at the border for long guns. Again call Canadian Firearms Center.

You'll also have to fill out a Customs/ATF type form to get your gun back into Alaska to declare. No big deal though. Good luck and stay safe. Also look into shipping/FedExing your pistol to you in Alaska...driving with a shotgun across Canada for bears/slugs/buckshot when you get to Alaska. Lots of bears where you're heading to!

Oh there are the Scout Rifle/Shotgun combos that break down easy and the Marlin Papoose 22 rifles, and the Henry Survivor breakdown airman 22 rifle that is also take apart that might be easy on a motorcycle. A 22 rifle might come in handy if a shotgun is hard to break down. Put it together in camp. 22 rifle might be easy to take since you are camping in Canada and Alaska. The papoose and Henry survivor airman breakdown rifles are pretty inexpensive and can be put in backpacks.
 
How about sending your handgun ahead to an FFL in Alaska? Pick it up when you arrive and send it home the same way. A few bucks spent would work out better than trying to deal with Canadian firearms laws.
 
I just flat DO NOT GO TO CANADA because of their draconian gun laws. I'd really like to, there's lots of great things to see there but it just ain't gonna happen.
 
Best you could hope for is a takedown S/S 12 bore or such that might be allowed .

I live on that border and was LEO and am not allowed to go there armed at all,unless its for hunting and you need a license .

They do NOT allow HG's for S/D under any circumstances - even if your a Canadian LEO.

I am taking a second trip to the U.P. of Michigan and have to go around through Ohio to avoid getting arrested.Going through Canada would save me 3 hours = not worth the hassle.
 
I just flat DO NOT GO TO CANADA because of their draconian gun laws. I'd really like to, there's lots of great things to see there but it just ain't gonna happen.
Click to expand...

That's fairly myopic as to why to not visit someplace - guess you'll exist in your own little world

OP - if you are going to AK, ship the gun ahead......or do the paperwork for a shotgun - a little easier to transport
 
Regarding the op, you may bring your shotgun, if it conforms to the law, you will never be allowed to bring in the pistol, and it will land you in a deep pile of manure if you attempt it anyway...And yes, a 9mm pistol for defense from big dangerous game, will get you laughed at up here, as I am now...:)
 
I live on that border and was LEO and am not allowed to go there armed at all,

Why should you? Canada is a different country. Would you expect to be able to go to Mexico, France, the Bahamas, or any other country and be able to carry.

Canada used to allow US Citizens transit through Canada enroute to Alaska with handguns. Canadian Customs would put a seal on your handgun case when you entered Canada and when you were leaving Canada going into Alaska you were supposed show them the seal wasn't broken and turn in the paperwork to show the guns left Canada. The problem was many people wouldn't bother to stop at Canadian Customs to show them the guns wre exported and just drive into Canada. The Canadians could only assume that all these guns were being left in Canada and changed the law to make it no handguns.

Sometimes gunowners screw up a good thing.
 
Sending a pistol to Alaska won't help the OP while traveling through Canada...unless the wildlife there has been tamed as much as Canadians have.

Travel without food, bring lots of bear spray and make sure to sleep near a big fire, preferably at a Holiday Inn.
 
Kasinefect said:
Don't even try it! I've heard of several U.S. citizens crossing into Canada being asked if they have a gun? Canadian customs has been known to take cars apart looking for drugs; I don't doubt that they would do it if looking for a gun.
Click to expand...
It does happen. I know someone that was threatened with detention just for having some spent .22 casings in the trunk of their car - no gun, just casings.
 
General Information - Firearm Users Visiting Canada

There are three classes of firearms in Canada:

Non-restricted (most common rifles and shotguns): These may generally be imported for purposes such as hunting, protection from wild animals in remote wilderness areas where firearms are allowed, or target-shooting. They may also be taken in transit through Canada by a reasonably direct route.

Restricted: (longer-barreled handguns, some types of long guns) These are allowed for certain purposes, such as target shooting at an approved club or range, but they are not allowed for hunting or self protection.

Prohibited: (shorter-barreled handguns, automatic weapons) These cannot be brought into Canada.
Click to expand...


Non-restricted firearms may be brought into, transported within Canada and taken in-transit to Alaska upon completion on a Non-Resident Firearm Declaration. The Non-Resident Firearm Declaration form and $25 CAN are presented to Canadian Customs at the boarder crossing. The Declaration is valid for 60-days.

Form CAFC 909 - Non-Resident Firearm Declaration

Definition of Restricted Firearms [Firearm barrel length between 105 mm and 470 mm = 18.5 inches]

Definition of Prohibited Firearms [Handgun barrel length less than 105 mm = 4.14 inches]

List of Restricted and Prohibited Firearms

Restricted and Prohibited firearms [handguns] brought into Canada and transported within a Province for transit to Alaska require an Authorization to Transport from the Chief Firearms Officer of each Province or Territory. Generally, authorization to transit Restricted and Prohibited firearms is not granted or allowed.

Form CAFC 679 - Application for an Authorization to Transport Restricted Firearms and Prohibited Firearms

Saskatchewan does not allow Restricted or Prohibited firearms to transit through their Province. They do allow Restricted or Prohibited firearms to be brought into the Province, used for competition and then leave.

To talk with the Chief Firearms Office for other Provinces call 1-800-731-4000 and enter these extensions when prompted:

Manitoba = ext. 8502

Alberta and Northwest Territories = ext. 9026

British Columbia and Yukon = ext. 9530

At all times it is critical to follow the transportation and storage rules.

Storing, Transporting and Displaying Firearms
 
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Just curious, would it be possible for a non-resident to purchase one of those non-restricted firearms at a Canadian gun shop and then proceed with it to Alaska?
 
OP - if you are going to AK, ship the gun ahead......or do the paperwork for a shotgun - a little easier to transport
Click to expand...
That's a little "myopic"...he said he'd be on a motorcycle and wouldn't have room for a long gun. And go easy on the personal jabs. If somebody thinks draconian self defense laws are a good enough reason not to visit a given country, you are in no position to fault him.
 
Old Shooter (and others):

To my knowledge, you would need a Canadian firearm license to make a purchase of a firearm in Canada. There are a few non-residents who have such licenses, but your average tourist would be out of luck. The paperwork that "gun travellers" get at the border would not be sufficient for making further firearm purchases. It *is* sufficient to permit ammunition purchases.

If you're serious about having a firearm along (legally), pick a small(ish) manually operated long gun and jump thru the hoops at the border. Having a casual hunting goal that you can clearly articulate to officials on demand would be good, since Canadian officialdom is not a big fan of defensive use of firearms. (Even if it is permitted in Canadian law.)

I would strongly encourage anyone residing in the USA to read this web site if you are considering any lawful activity involving firearms in Canada. It is fabuously well researched:

http://panda.com/canadaguns/

Oh, and if you bought a firearm in Canada, allow at least 4-6 weeks for BATF import paperwork to import it into the USA. (Alaska included).

Norinco firearms are sold in Canada too, but BATF won't permit their import :) We especially like their short-barreled pump action shotguns. Similar units are AOW in the US, but are non-restricted in Canada. The details of the firearm laws in Canada and the USA are similar but not exactly the same.
 
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Seems like lets say a .... Marlin .444 / .45-70 would be allowed!

You would not need much else, and you would probably not even need it. But just in case you would have it.

We are planning a fishing trip in June and I liked the forms that were in this post. Done downloaded them.

Thanks KsThumper... One need not much more info than your post contains!
 
That Marlin would certainly look like a good choice for ursine encounters :)

The web page I suggested has some wonderful tips on how to safely interact with the Canadian Border and Security Agency staff.
 
I've got a Mountie buddy in BC.....we have an understanding.....when he and wife visits the states, he shoots mine....on the rare visit I make, I shoot his. Neither one of us does the transport thing!
As to his shooting at my range, common sense prevails....most of the LEO's there think it's great to shoot with him!
Dan
 
"...bringing my 9mm handgun..." Forget it. There's no CCW in Canada. And you won't get our permits for self-defense. Don't try to smuggle it in either.
 
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