Crossing Border with Weapons

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rojocorsa

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My grandfather lived and passed away in Mexico. Three guns and his wisdom are the only things I inherited from him. My guns are Rem 870 Wingmaster, Win Ranger 120, and a Nagant Model 1887 Revolver.

Is there anyway that I can legally pass them through to the US. To be more specific I would be going and returning by airplane. And I am based in California.

Airlines, both Mexican and American state that firearms must be declared, unloaded, etc. I plan to buy a Pelican case for this.


Any input or idea is appreciated, for I MAY not be able to ever legally enjoy my inheritance as Mexico has oppressive RKBA legislation.:cuss: :fire:
 
You need to contact the BATFE Imports Branch [1-304-616-4550 Mon-Fri 0800-1700hrs EST] about importing firearms into the USA.

You need to submit an ATF Form 5330.3A 60 days prior to importing the firearms.

Once BATFE approves your Form 6, they will forward you a copy of the approved Form 6 and forward one to US Customs.
The approval is good for 12 months from the date it is approved. Without an approved Form 6, US Customs will confiscate any firearms you import into the USA.
Expect to pay a US Custom's importation tax.
 
I would also check with a Mexican consulate. You have the paperwork problem of getting from wherever the guns are to the airport without taking a 30-year detour through a Mexican jail.
 
Ouch!

Agree with Mr Eatman. I would add sentimental value is no reason to risk jail time.

Supposing the guns are currently legal (and given my unfamiliarity with Mexican gun laws--how do we even know that? I bet a lot's change since your grandfather got those guns), can you find a good Mexican lawyer to help you out with this?

My guess is that the expense--and risk--will outweigh the value of bringing those guns into the US. But only you can answer that.

Good luck, and condolences.
 
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There are a number of companys that can do this kind of thing for you. It is not real cheap, but they know what papers need to be filed where.

My guess is that you would be better served having someone who knows both US and Mexican law on this subject take care of it for you.
 
On the mexican side who you are and who you or your family knows will likely be important along with some grease for dry palms. On the US side it will be mostly a matter of what the regulations say. You need someone that has contacts in the right places in mexico.
 
On the mexican side who you are and who you or your family knows will likely be important along with some grease for dry palms. On the US side it will be mostly a matter of what the regulations say. You need someone that has contacts in the right places in mexico.
 
You won't like this, but IMHO none of those guns has any great value (total less than $600 total). It is not worth the risk or the trouble to bring them into the U.S. Further, the handgun may be illegal in Mexico and trying to get an OK to export it could result in arrest for illegal possession.

I would just leave them; even turning them into the police could be risky. You should certainly hire a Mexican attorney no matter what you choose to do.

Jim
 
And then there is the... complexities lets call it, of dealing with Mexican officials.

Best of luck and condolences about your grandfather.
 
On the mexican side who you are and who you or your family knows will likely be important along with some grease for dry palms.
Click to expand...

I think we got that covered.

You won't like this, but IMHO none of those guns has any great value (total less than $600 total)
Click to expand...

How much does a Remington 870 Wingmaster cost today?
Also, there is a high chance that the 1887 revolver was used in the Mexican Revolution of 1910ish.
 
They surely are.He will always be with you in spirit,rojocorsa.
Vaya con dios,amigo.
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear about your grandfather. I imagine getting guns into the US at this time, especially from Mexico will be very difficult considering the current situation. I'd contact the ATF and someone of authority in California to make sure all the legal channels are followed. I've heard horror stories about the backwards Gun laws in Cali.
 
very sorry to hear about you loss . i think i would ship them vs flying with them i could be wrong.
 
1. donate the revolver to a museum,
2. replace the wingmaster on gunbroker
3. tell your children stories of your grandfather
 
Art brought up an important point: check with the Mexican authorities about export issues.

About twenty-five years ago I dealt with a similar situation in Canada--I was the executor of an estate in BC, and the estate included a gun collection that had been legally imported from the US in the early-mid Seventies.

I did the legwork on this--and we found that the import issues (in the late Eighties) were of no significance since the firearms had all originaly come from the U.S--i.e., had been legally purchased there by the end user. ATF simply considered it as a shipment that had to go to an FFL.

However, this was the time period in which Canada had been "upgrading" their laws--and it was with them that we had to get the appropriate forms and notifications done. It ended up being quite a parade of work for my cousin--as they drove them back to MN, they literally had to check in with the RCMP along the way--and the sporterized 98s were NOT legal to export, as they were considered "weapons of war" by Canadian legislation.

In sum, get your ducks in a row--and build a good checklist. You have multiple layers of compliance to deal with.

Jim H.
 
When I imported my Dad's gun collection from Canada it was a big hassle. I sent in something like 12 Form 6's to the ATF and it seems that they weren't all processed by the same person. They had different approval stamps/signatures. Some were approved and some were not with no apparent logical reasoning given for the disapproved. I re-submitted the disapproved and then they got approved. It was a big hassle and took many months. That was 9 or 10 years ago. I doubt it is any better now.
 
rojocorsa said:
I still want to try to see if they can be saved. Should I contact the California DOJ?
Click to expand...

No need to contact CA DOJ BOF.

Contact the BATFE. (see my earlier post)

If you comply with the Federal requirements to import the firearms into the USA, it will also satisfy CA DOJ BOF.
 
yea, it'll be a pain to get them in. If the Mexican officials give you any problems, tell them your doing them a favour and moving the guns OUT of mexico.. your doing their 'job' for them.
 
I am pretty sure you would need licenses on both ends. One from the ATF for import and one from the Mexican authorities for export. Don't be surprised if the export paperwork comes with a hefty 'fee'
 
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