Carrying a gun thru Canada to Alaska

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Upstate Gun Man

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I am planing a trip to Alaska this summer. I would like to take a weapon with me. Can I legally do this traveling thru Canada?
 
I don't think so. I believe you'll have to have it shipped there if you have an address that it can be sent to.
 
I believe there is a way to take long guns, but no way for handguns.
Check with the Canadian Consulate. I think there is paperwork that needs to be in place before you go.
 
Both long arms & handguns can be taken into Canada with the correct paperwork. Contact the Canadian Customs for the current requirements. When I went up there with my guns in 2005 the process took a few weeks to complete, so you may want to check sooner than later.
 
I took my 18-1/2"-barrel shotgun along on my driving tour of Alaska, Yukon, and NWT last summer. The page at http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/fs-fd/visit-visite-eng.htm provides your options and will help you decide whether you can take the specific guns you want to take. I went the Option 1 route (Non Resident Firearms Declaration). I hit two problems:
1. At Dawson Creek, the gun shop at Mile 0 of the Alaska Highway at first refused to sell me ammo. They said the NonResident Firearms Declaration did not permit me to buy ammo- only a PAL allows that. Fortunately, I had printed off the web page and it says it IS good for ammo purchase (under 'Buying or Importing Ammunition'). Once they saw that, they sold me the ammo and apologized for the mistake.
2. The form is good for 60 days and is supposed to be easily extendable by calling an 800 number. By the time I re-entered Canada on my way home, I had less than a week left. I attempted to get it extended but was never able to get through the bureaucracy to get it done. I made multiple attempts but was never able to talk to a person, it was always an answering machine. I left messages to call my cell, to reply by email, etc, but never received a response of any kind. I decided I had no choice but to cross the border again (I could make it to the border at Stewart BC/Hyder AK before the expiration date) and pay for another permit even though I'd only need it for a few days until I got out of Canada. However, when I explained my problem to the border agent there, she extended the date on the old one (at no additional cost).

Also- if you happen to be taking an auto shotgun, note that the capacity limit is five. And plugging a larger-capacity gun to five doesn't qualify (according to the person I talked to at the Canada Firearms Centre).
Oh yeah-- the cost for the Non Resident Declaration to be processed was $25 last year and that appears to be the case again this year. That's a flat fee for all the guns on the form.
 
Non-Resident Firearm Declaration

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/form-formulaire/num-nom/909-eng.htm

The Non-Resident Firearms Declaration (Form CAFC 909 EF), and its continuation sheet (Form CAFC 910 EF) must be presented in triplicate, unsigned, to a customs officer at your first point of entry into Canada.

if in doubt, call them:

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cont/index-eng.htm

Do you plan on going through BC or Alberta to Alaska?

You can call the local RCMP in the province you wish to go through:

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/detach/index-eng.htm
 
both handguns and long guns are allowed , however handguns need a Canadian PAL and a special transportation permit . from what i heard it's possible but takes time .
 
Back in '81, my wife and I packed all our belongings into a Ford 150 van and headed for the Alaska. Since the van was packed pretty full, I thought I'd hide a 12 ga in with the lot and nobody would notice. Guess again! At the border station across from North Dakota, the Canadian border officer found it within seconds. Since I did not declare it, I had the pleasure of unpacking everything and having it all searched. Learned a big lesson about Canadian Borders.

Check the Canadian rules and if you absolutely need a pistol in AK, have it shipped and pick it up there.
 
Johnny, I used to think Canada's laws were just terrible, mainly because I didn't know them, I just assumed them to be bad (and I'm Canadian, but haven't lived there for a long time). However, I found out that they have a lot of things that are much better than we have it. I exported a shotgun to my brother, and it was tremendously easier from the Canadian side to do it. My brother filled out a form online and was done. I had to wait months for ATF paperwork to be signed, faxed and mailed, and then it still almost didn't happen. Canadians can mail a gun they sell to an individual directly to that individual, no need to go through a dealer.

Yes, they have some laws that are worse than SOME states in the US, but they are not categorically worse than us, just different.

That in fact demonstrates the idiocy of gun laws. They are based on emotion and hence do not make any sense. One country is afraid of certain things and so passes laws that are different. Contrast that against things like murder, rape, robbery, even traffic laws. Those laws are very similar throughout the world because they are based on logic and reason (until you start putting hate crime crap into it--emotion again).

Just my $.02. I bet if you do a little research, you'll be able to do just about what you want to do. No handguns shorter than 4" though.
 
One thing about Canada's laws, no tax stamps, just little pieces of paper that say you can own, take a door breaching 12 gauge as an example, now if Remington makes a 12 or 14 inch SBS, and you have the endorsement to own it, then you buy it right from the dealer, no tax hassles...

Yep, law can be silly on both sides of the border.
 
But Chris,why be defenseless for the over 1400 miles to Alaska when taking the rifle is a given with fairly simple paperwork?
No,I'll pay the few bucks and take my Marlin 1895G 45/70 Government for comfort and peace of mind.It will take out anything on the North American continent with 2 or 4 legs including Mr.Grizzly, stoked with Garrett 415 grain Hammerheads.
Click to expand...

really, your going to be defensless anyway, except if you camp. it is not like you would be able to carry it loaded, in the front seat next to you. it would have to be locked in the trunk, unloaded. so how would that help you in a defense situation?
 
get the paperwork and fill it out ahead of time. when you show up at the border let them know that you a declaring a firearm and they will tell you where to go to get searched. Don't be surprised when you get over there that the will meet you at your vehicle and ask for the keys and where the firearm(maybe ammo) is located. I have found they like it when the case is locked and the firearm is triggered locked and the ammo can also has a lock on it. Just remember that once you have crossed the border all laws are different. Just because customs is happy with you doesn't mean that if you get stopped again that the next officer will agree. Don't take little cans of mace, pepper spray, ect..., take a big can of bear repellent. you can protect yourself against bears not people. Also if you carry a pocket knife make sure that it can't open easily. one handed is a nono.(at least in Ontario) I have an old buck 110 that the OPP tried to take because you can hold the blade and flick the handle open.
 
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Canadian travel and guns

Thanks guys for the valuable info. This will make my trip more enjoyable and safer.
 
In 1995 the wife and I went to Alaska by MV. The Canada people at the border only wanted to ascertain that the shotgun had a regular wood stock and was not a folding one. No pepper spray and that was one question asked repeatedly. I did not take a pistol but rather left it in Montana with a friend and picked it up on the return. Great trip, no hassles!
 
"The following firearms are classified as prohibited firearms and cannot be brought into Canada:

-short-barreled handguns (handguns with a barrel length equal to or less than 105 mm)

-.25 caliber handguns

-.32 caliber handguns

-sawed-off rifles or sawed-off shotguns less than 660 mm in overall length

-sawed-off rifles or sawed-off shot-guns which have a barrel length of less than 457 mm and are equal to or more than 660 mm in overall length

-all automatic firearms

-automatic firearms that have been converted to semiautomatic or single shot

-all firearms prescribed by regulation (military and paramilitary firearms and firearms deemed to have no legitimate sporting or recreational use).

Cartridge magazines are also regulated. Generally, magazines used in semiautomatic, centerfire rifles and shotguns, with a capacity to contain more than 5 cartridges are prohibited. Magazines for semi-automatic handguns that can contain more than 10 cartridges are also prohibited.
 
The following firearms are classified as restricted firearms requiring an Authorization to Transport from a Chief Firearms Officer to bring into Canada:

-all handguns which are not prohibited firearms

-semiautomatic centerfire rifles and shotguns that have a barrel length of less than 470 mm and are not prohibited

-rifles and shotguns that can fire after being reduced to an overall length of less than 660 mm, by any temporary means such as folding or telescoping

-all firearms prescribed by regulation as restricted (for information on these regulations, contact the Canada Firarms Centre).
 
Canadian federal law requires that firearms be transported unloaded. Restricted firearms must also be rendered inoperable with a secure locking device and locked inside an opaque container that cannot be readily broken open or into or accidentally opened during transportation. When left in an unattended vehicle, the firearms must be in a locked trunk or a similar compartment. Where the vehicle does not have a trunk or similar compartment, the firearms must be locked inside the vehicle and out of sight. Provincial and municipal regulations may require a nonrestricted firearm to be transported in a case in certain areas and at certain times.
 
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