bogie
Member
What happens if I'm travelling to Alaska via plane, and it ends up having to make a landing in Canada? Do I lose my boomsticks/go to jail?
Conversely, any THR FFLs in Anchorage?
Conversely, any THR FFLs in Anchorage?
Stupid trip to Alaska question...
- Thread starter bogie
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ArfinGreebly
Moderator Emeritus
Uhm, THR FFL?
Well, lessee, there WAS a THR FFL up there.
He's still up there, but I think he's now a TFL-only guy.
Goes by WildusedtobeonTHRbutsomethinghappenedAlaska.
I think.
I came late to the party, so all I have is rumor.
Well, lessee, there WAS a THR FFL up there.
He's still up there, but I think he's now a TFL-only guy.
Goes by WildusedtobeonTHRbutsomethinghappenedAlaska.
I think.
I came late to the party, so all I have is rumor.
Ask your airline carrier that exact question. They probably already have the answer.
I have no legal knowledge on the matter, I would not take posession of the weapon until the authorities gave me permission to do so. Let the airline deal with the legal ramifications. Since you had no intention of entering Canada with a firearm, so long as you don't regain posession of it from the airline, you should be okay.
I have no legal knowledge on the matter, I would not take posession of the weapon until the authorities gave me permission to do so. Let the airline deal with the legal ramifications. Since you had no intention of entering Canada with a firearm, so long as you don't regain posession of it from the airline, you should be okay.
Prince Yamato
Member
Western Canada is gun friendly in general, so you'd at least have that on your side. I'm pretty sure as long as the gun remains at the airport, it would be considered "in transit". If it had to leave the airport, well, I don't know, but I'd be shocked if Canada didn't have a provision for such a problem. People drive to Alaska with firearms, so I'm pretty sure most of it has to do with being "in transit".
Crunker1337
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I don't think this would ever happen EXCEPT in a serious emergency, as the plane would not have permission to land in Canada - plus probably most of the people on board would not have visas.
In short, let the airline worry about it.
In short, let the airline worry about it.
You can legally ship your firearms to yourself, at whatever hotel you'll be staying at. Take the airlines out of the equation if you're concerned about it. Just insure them for double what they're worth, and if you lose, you WIN. Hold that thought - if it's specifically a shooting/hunting trip, make sure in advance that someone can loan you a firearm while there.
Kaylee
Member
I tend to think Crunker's got the right of it, unless you're flying up in a little puddlejumper that actually needs to make scheduled stops along the way.
Cosmoline
Member
Other than during 9/11, I don't believe that's ever happened with a commercial airliner. The geography is in fact all wrong. For most of the flight, to get to a major airport in Canada is more difficult than to get to any number of airports in AK, from SE to SC. It would not happen unless all US airports were suddenly closed, as in 9/11. The routes from Sea-Tac either do the milk wagon run through SE or route across the Gulf of Alaska. Canada is a long ways off. I suppose if you had trouble in a certain spot you'd end up in Vancouver BC, but so what? The firearms remain in the possession of the airliner or airport security until you get in the air again. It's a very strange thing to worry about. I have a feeling you may be imagining us getting around in converted PBY's LOL
There are a bunch of FFL's up here. Please don't tell me you're going to ship your firearms because you're afraid the jet will make an emergency stop in Canada. Remember, short guns have to go by overnight fedex at enormous expense. If you comply with the regs there should be no problems checking them with Alaska Airlines. They deal with a LOT of firearms.
Gordon Fink
Member
Can you legally drive to Alaska with a firearm? New question: Can you legally drive to Alaska without a passport?
~G. Fink
~G. Fink
yes (depending on what) and I dont think so anymore...
read what the state dept says...
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/regional/regional_1170.html
read what the state dept says...
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/regional/regional_1170.html
Cosmoline
Member
Passport--I think they're relaxing that rule but I'm not sure. Firearms--you can travel with what might be called traditional hunting rifles if you have them secured to the Canadian's satisfaction. Handguns and other scary rifles are not allowed at all, even if you're going straight through on the AlCan. It's much easier to simply fly up.
TallPine
Member
Well, back in the seventies a number of people still got around in hand propped Taylorcrafts
Some of those people even had pilot's licenses
larry_minn
Member
Last I heard you didn't NEED a passport as long as you had DL, birth cert, AND proof you applied for passport. This does seem to change weekly.
As far as plane. I have a relative who is bush pilot up there. He flies down to lower 48 and ran into this concern. In Alaska he is REQUIRED to have a firearm in plane. If he is overflying Canada (and they stay over land as much as possible) and has to land it is a (mild) bother. He can NOT open more then a window until Canadian Officials tell him to. (unless plane is smoking) If he filed a (reasonable) flightplan to not stop (i.e. he had enough fuel that if he had not hit a 30mph headwind he would have easily make USA) or equipment failure) They won't bother him much. (partial reason he bought a belly mount aux fuel tank to avoid fuel being reason)
If you drive contact them ahead of time. Last I heard (never done it myself) you get a (permit) to bring a firearm thru for couple days. Pay a fee adn not have any ammo not allowed (I forget what is allowed/not)
Like most things its a waste of your/their time and mild bother. But can be done. IF I get the AL/CAN drive going I will bring firearm. (legally) and research this.
As far as plane. I have a relative who is bush pilot up there. He flies down to lower 48 and ran into this concern. In Alaska he is REQUIRED to have a firearm in plane. If he is overflying Canada (and they stay over land as much as possible) and has to land it is a (mild) bother. He can NOT open more then a window until Canadian Officials tell him to. (unless plane is smoking)
If he filed a (reasonable) flightplan to not stop (i.e. he had enough fuel that if he had not hit a 30mph headwind he would have easily make USA) or equipment failure) They won't bother him much. (partial reason he bought a belly mount aux fuel tank to avoid fuel being reason) If you drive contact them ahead of time. Last I heard (never done it myself) you get a (permit) to bring a firearm thru for couple days. Pay a fee adn not have any ammo not allowed (I forget what is allowed/not)
Like most things its a waste of your/their time and mild bother. But can be done. IF I get the AL/CAN drive going I will bring firearm. (legally) and research this.
Neo-Luddite
Member
If you were lawfully transporting the weapons you'd be fine as you'd never deal with Canadian Customs. And as said, Western Canada is pretty gun friendly. If there was some bizarre set of circumstances whereby you had to go through Canadian customs (ie. had to spend the night before re-embarking) they would likely figure out a sollution. From what I've seen, the Canadians are far-more-reasonable than we give them credit for. Seriously, when people write about horror stories of flying out of JFK with a cased weapon like they were an actor in 'Midnight Express' caught with a bunch of narcotics taped to their chest--how BAD can Canada be?
Sunray
Member
"...having to make a landing in Canada..." Highly unlikely you'd lose anything. Our idiot government can't determine if and when an aircraft is going to have trouble. Your luggage would likely not leave the aircraft unless the aircraft is taken out of service. You'd likely sit in the airport waiting for another aircraft. Even then, you had no intention of entering Canada. If it came to pass that you had to stay overnight, talk to the airline. They should have a secure place for whatever luggage you're not taking to the hotel.
"...drive to Alaska with a firearm..." Not without making a Canadian Customs declaration($25Cdn) and having the Canadian permits. No prohibited firearms can be brought in. Go here and read Option One. http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/factsheets/visitin_e.asp
Here for a list of prohibited firearms. http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/factsheets/r&p_e.asp
Hunting rifles are neither restricted nor prohibited, but you still need the Customs declaration.
No passport is required at this time.
"...drive to Alaska with a firearm..." Not without making a Canadian Customs declaration($25Cdn) and having the Canadian permits. No prohibited firearms can be brought in. Go here and read Option One. http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/factsheets/visitin_e.asp
Here for a list of prohibited firearms. http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/factsheets/r&p_e.asp
Hunting rifles are neither restricted nor prohibited, but you still need the Customs declaration.
No passport is required at this time.
Clipper
Member
I read once in OL or F&S, that it's illegal to even overfly Canadian airspace on a commercial carrier with a handgun in your checked luggage...
I was enroute to AK on a commerical flight with 2 pistols in my checked baggage. We suffered an in flight emergency and ended up landing in Canada. We got off the airliner, but our checked baggage didn't. The question of what was in our checked luggage didn't come up. We spent about 9 hours on the ground, the plane was fixed and we continued our trip. "Didn't ask, didn't tell".
We're not quite as anti gun fanatical as we are made out to be. The key is to be honest and never try to sneak a gun in. This is highly frowned upon because you would probably be looked upon as a gun smuggler.
http://geo.international.gc.ca/can-.../know_before_you_go-en.asp#Firearms & Weapons
"Firearms & Weapons
Visitors to Canada, including U.S. citizens traveling between two U.S./Alaska ports of entry in Canada, must declare all firearms and weapons at Customs when entering Canada. If firearms or weapons are not declared, they will be seized and/or destroyed and criminal charges may be filed.
Visitors may need documents to prove they are entitled to possess a firearm in Canada, and they will have to transport it safely. In addition, some firearms such as semi-automatic weapons and weapons such as mace, as well as types and quantities of ammunition, may be restricted and/or prohibited. Attempting to bring illegal weapons into Canada is a criminal offense, and offenders will be arrested and weapons seized and/or destroyed.
If you need more information about Canada’s firearms laws and how these apply to a specific firearm, device, or any fees that may apply, contact the Canadian Firearms Centre at 1-800-731-4000, or visit www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca. Information concerning Canadian laws regulating the importation of ammunition can be found at http://laws.justice.gc.ca."
http://geo.international.gc.ca/can-.../know_before_you_go-en.asp#Firearms & Weapons
"Firearms & Weapons
Visitors to Canada, including U.S. citizens traveling between two U.S./Alaska ports of entry in Canada, must declare all firearms and weapons at Customs when entering Canada. If firearms or weapons are not declared, they will be seized and/or destroyed and criminal charges may be filed.
Visitors may need documents to prove they are entitled to possess a firearm in Canada, and they will have to transport it safely. In addition, some firearms such as semi-automatic weapons and weapons such as mace, as well as types and quantities of ammunition, may be restricted and/or prohibited. Attempting to bring illegal weapons into Canada is a criminal offense, and offenders will be arrested and weapons seized and/or destroyed.
If you need more information about Canada’s firearms laws and how these apply to a specific firearm, device, or any fees that may apply, contact the Canadian Firearms Centre at 1-800-731-4000, or visit www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca. Information concerning Canadian laws regulating the importation of ammunition can be found at http://laws.justice.gc.ca."
"I was enroute to AK on a commerical flight with 2 pistols in my checked baggage. We suffered an in flight emergency and ended up landing in Canada. We got off the airliner, but our checked baggage didn't. The question of what was in our checked luggage didn't come up. We spent about 9 hours on the ground, the plane was fixed and we continued our trip. "Didn't ask, didn't tell"."
Canada customs is not unreasonable, I can almost 100% guarantee you that they would not have had a problem with you having checked guns on a plane that made an emergency landing.
Canada customs is not unreasonable, I can almost 100% guarantee you that they would not have had a problem with you having checked guns on a plane that made an emergency landing.
Fly320s
Member
Passport: Yes, you will need one if you intend to enter Canada, and on your return to the US.
Source:passport requirements.
Now, if you are not intentionally traveling to Canada, but your flight diverts there anyway, then it could go either way. It all depends on whether you clear Canadian Customs/Immigration. If you never leave the plane, you won't clear Immigration and therefore you won't need a passport.
As for your guns, I don't know. But, like Cane wrote, if you don't claim your luggage and clear customs, then "don't ask, don't tell."
Source:passport requirements.
Now, if you are not intentionally traveling to Canada, but your flight diverts there anyway, then it could go either way. It all depends on whether you clear Canadian Customs/Immigration. If you never leave the plane, you won't clear Immigration and therefore you won't need a passport.
As for your guns, I don't know. But, like Cane wrote, if you don't claim your luggage and clear customs, then "don't ask, don't tell."
I think the problem would be with handguns, not long arms.
A fellow I know goes fishing in Canada for 2 weeks every year. He used to take a 44 mag for bears, but changed to a pump 12ga several years ago, as they wouldn't let him take the pistol.
I'd guess as long as it stayed in the terminal or on the plane, it would OK, if you took posession, it probably wouldn't.
A fellow I know goes fishing in Canada for 2 weeks every year. He used to take a 44 mag for bears, but changed to a pump 12ga several years ago, as they wouldn't let him take the pistol.
I'd guess as long as it stayed in the terminal or on the plane, it would OK, if you took posession, it probably wouldn't.
This brings up an interesting point. If you don't have a passport and do make it into Canada can they legally keep you from reentering? If they do then what? You aren't a Canadian citizen and I'm sure they won't let you stay there.
Bogie - A friend from Fairbanks that used to mine beside me in the Yukon and his friend (in his friends small plane) were forced over to Whitehorse due to bad weather and a shortage of fuel. It did not matter the circumstances or the amount of pleading the 9mm that was found in the plane was destroyed in front of them. This is a very true story and not BS. I just would'nt chance it.
geekWithA.45
Moderator Emeritus
I wasn't traveling with a gun, but when I did the Alaskan cruise thing, I went through a "Welcome to Canada!" gate @ the airport, only to pass through a "Welcome back to America!" gate a half hour later getting on ship.
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