Importing rifle from Canada

[Ruger745]

Hi everybody,
This summer, I may get the chance to travel up to Canada. Recently, I discovered that many dealers in Canada carry the Swiss made SG 550. I would love to add one of these to my collection and I know that to buy a non restricted firearm in Canada, you must possess a valid FAC or PAL. I was wondering how would a visiting US citizen get either a FAC or PAL?
Also, if I am fortunate to get a SG 550, how would I transport it into the US with out breaking any laws?

Thanks for all the best, shoot straight and hit what you're aiming at
Tom

"God created men. Samuel Colt made them equal"

 

[GRIZ22]

Was the 550 ever made in a US semi-auto legal version and imported here and can it be imported now? That's the first question you need to get answered.

The fact is you would need to use an importer who could import the gun for you without you ever going to Canada. That is if it can be imported. This is pricy so how much is having one of these worth to you, if at all possible.

 

[Shear_stress]

Unfortunately, the 1989 and 1998 bans prevent the SIG 550 from being imported for non-LEO use. Chances are if it were readilly legal for importation into the world's largest civilian gun market, someone would be doing it.

 

[Quiet]

As a US citizen, in order to obtain a Possession and Acquistion License (PAL), you will need a letter from your local or state police attesting to your "good conduct".

Also the SIG SG-550 is classified as a "prohibited firearm".
So, unless you had registered one before 12-01-1998 with the RCMP, you can not acquire one.


It's not legal to import the SIG SG-550 into the USA for civilian use because it does not meet the "sporting purpose" requirement for importation of semi-auto centerfire rifles.

 

[Sunray]

"...many dealers in Canada carry the Swiss made SG 550..." Hi. No, they don't. Swiss Arms SG M550's are prohibited, up here. Have been since 1995. Even if you had a PAL, now, you couldn't buy one.
You can get a PAL by passing the written and practical tests for the Canadian Firearms Safety Course. You don't have to take the course. Just pass the tests. Foreign firearms safety courses don't count though. Canadian Firearms Safety Course manuals are here in .pdf format. http://www.fseso.org/

 

[Ignition Override]

If it were a regular bolt-action rifle, would it still be very involved, or expensive for a US citizen to import it?

You might want to try to reach Mr. Joe Salter, up in NH: "Joesalter.com"

His large firm sold me my first Enfield #5, and lots of his guns and militaria supposedly came from his business in Canada. His company in NH has a really good reputation.
Mr. Salter is an attorney and reportedly from Halifax, Nova Scotia.

 

[Ruger745]

Good afternoon,
Thank you all for the information, looks like Canada has gotten even stricter on their laws. I didn't even know that the SG 550 was banned for civilian use, because I found a gun store in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (P&D enterprises) and they typically have a few listed under "non-restricted centerfire".

Thanks again for the info

 

[Ruger745]

Dear Ignition Override,
Thanks for the info, I looked at his page and there's some nice stuff there. I may ask him just to check and the worst he can say is,"no".

Thanks again for the info