Temporary import of hunting guns?

[hq]

As a non-US-resident and an avid hunter I'd like to know what the practise is with bringing your own hunting rifle and revolver to the US.

I've hunted abroad and I'm quite familiar with, for example, South African temporary permit procedure, but how does it work in the US? I understand that it might vary from state to state, but I prefer hunting with my own guns instead of loaners from the outfitter.

Do you know if this is possible and how much red tape is involved?

To keep everything simple and "assault weapon" legislation out of this, let's assume I want to bring a bolt action or lever action rifle and a double action .44 revolver for a 2-week trip to FL/TX/CO/NV. Or maybe even CA.

 

[Axel Larson]

You should consider coming to Vermont as well, nice deer up here.
Customs should know, so contacting them would be a good start.

 

[GRIZ22]

Do you know if this is possible and how much red tape is involved?

Contact the Customs Representative at the US Embassy who will have all your answers regarding the US.

You also need to check with Finnish Customs for their requirements.

 

[hermannr]

I am not positive, but I believe there is a temporary import (ATF) form for hunting etc. After you have your firearms in country, then you have to check the individual states laws. Here in WA, if I remember correctly, your hunting license is a temporary non-US Citizen visitor's pass for firearms.

What I mean is: You have your visitors Visa (if required by the US from Finland. Some countries don't need a visa), your pasport and your hunting license and you should be good to go....in Washington State. You don't need to worry about CC, OC is legal and anyway a 44Mag is hard to conceal.

Remember, in TX they have no "Open Carry" allowed in public. You can OC on private land with the owners permission. Your outfitter should be able to give you the streight scoop on TX law.

Do your absolute best to stay completely out of IL, MA, NY, and NJ with the handgun. Book your flights into Alanta, or Dallas...anywhere but Boston, Chicago,, NYS/NYC or Newark. If you do land in one of the above airports, leave you firearms locked up and sealed, and pray a lot.

 

[oneounceload]

It IS possible, an English friend does it often. He told a group of us that as long as he had some form of proof that he needed his guns here for sanctioned shooting (competition, hunting, etc.), that the process was fairly painless but time consuming. He has brought rifles and shotguns to the US and Canada for big-game hunting and target shooting before