Over night trip into Canada

[Rick O'Shay]

Hello everyone. I have been a member of this forum for several years, but this is my 1st post. My father told me that I could learn more from listening than I could from talking, so I've just been doing just that..!

Now comes a question that I haven't been able to get an answer to from just surfing this fine forum. My wife & I are planning a trip North from Texas to explore Wyoming, Montana & some places on the "Bucket List". It's not hard to search for laws in the US for traveling with a firearm, but where do you( or "can you" ) park it while you enjoy an over night trip into Canada ? I know I'm not the first, or only one, to face a situation like this & would really appreciate anyone sharing their experiences with me. Thanks in advance.

Rick O'Shay

 

[Buckeye71]

You might try storing it in a local gun store.

 

[Willie Sutton]

^^ What he said. Pay a local gun store near the border to keep it in their storage. Make sure you arrange it in advance to avoid surprises.

The alternative is to go thru the process of getting a permit to import it, but for a short visit that's probably more hassle than it's worth.

If you want to look at importing, start here:

http://www.canadawelcomesyou.net/firearms.html


But, like I said, it's probably not worth the hassle.


Willie


.

 

[splithoof]

Whatever you do, DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES attempt to "sneak it in"! Find a way to leave it here. Take nothing gun related. My former supervisor was raked, and raped, over the coals for admitting to Canadian authorities that he even owned firearms, despite the fact that he was in a rented RV, and had absolutely NOTHING on his person or in his vehicle. It really surprised me, being that he is so soft-spoken and quiet that we used to refer to him as being like Mary's little lamb. This happened to him at the Roosville Montana border crossing, by the way.

 

[bubba15301]

dont go to canada ,problem solved

 

[Armored farmer]

If you c!ross.at.Pigeon River....there is a place.called RYDENS on the border that will rent a safe to you. They have been in business for.generations.They are good ppl . Be sure to get the pancakes while you're there.

 

[NavyLCDR]

The problem there may be their "bound book" log in records. Dogtown Tom and Bubbles,among others, are our experts on that factor.
When I crossed over to Canada from Minnesota a few years ago,I left my Ruger in the motel safe and retrieved it the next day with no problem.

As long as the gun is left with the FFL for repair or customization only, it can be returned to the original owner with no 4473 or NICS check required. Gunsmith cleaning would count as repair or customization.

 

[toiville2feathers]

Its not just the gun either, don't have any thing slightly related to it, such as empty cases or shell boxes, holsters, cleaning kits, paper gun wipes, well I think you get the picture. If they find anything like mentioned above they will pull you off to the side, take everything out of your vehicle, including seat cushions, door panels spare tires and jacks, and open your luggage and dump it out. And when they are done tearing it up, it will be you alone that puts it all back together. And now your in the data base so they will take interest in you again when you come out of Canada.
Quite a horror story, but I saw them take apart a motor home at the border. Some waterfowl hunters, and they had all the necessary paper work for the shot guns and ammunition they were going to use to hunt with. The Border guys found a cleaning kit for pistols and they took the motor home apart looking for the pistol, and there was none to be found.

 

[Midwest]

It has been awhile since I been to Canada, I heard the regulations changed since then....isn't a passport needed now to get back into the U.S.?

 

[HexHead]

Almost sounds easier to keep the motel room in the US while you visit Canada for a day trip. Keep your pistol in the room safe. Leave your stuff, and hang the "do not disturb" sign on the door to keep the maid out.

 

[MikeS.]

Yes, a passport is now required to visit Canada and Mexico. That happened in 2009 I believe. I know it was in effect in Sept. 2009.

 

[tepin]

+1 what toiville2feathers said. They will rip your car apart and they'll do it just for fun if they want to screw with you and have nothing better going on at the time.

 

[md2lgyk]

When we visited Canada via Niagara Falls a few years ago, I of course took no firearms or paraphernalia across the border. At the checkpoint to re-enter the U.S., the agent glanced at my DoD sticker and waved us straight through. Only later did my wife remember she had OC in her purse. I've always wondered if that would've been a problem.

 

[DM~]

I go to Canada fairly often... I don't take a gun into Canada, but i've went in with NRA stickers in my windows, empty shell cases clearly visible ect... In probably over 100 trips there, i've NEVER had them strip my vehicle! Yes, i've been searched, (rarely) but never everything pulled out and a mess left for me to deal with.

I DO wear clean cloths, don't have long hair or look like a druggy, and i find that, the long hair druggy look will get you stripped faster than NRA stickers or an empty shell caseing!

BTW, i mostly go through Michigan and i DO NOT need a passport, just a enhanced drivers license. I was just there a few months ago, and probably will visit again within 2 months.

 

[Leanwolf]

KB BAILEY- " ... If you c!ross.at.Pigeon River...."

Where is "Pigeon River???"

L.W.

 

[Armored farmer]

south of thunder bay, ont

 

[armsmaster270]

When my wife & I went to the Worlds Fair in B.C.I left my guns at the Tumwater WA. Police Dept for safekeeping for a week.

 

[Hondo 60]

Hmmm I don't know that I'd trust a PD.
Too many of 'em looking for an excuse to NOT return your firearm.

 

[plodder]

+1 on hassles at the Canadian border. I cross frequently for business, both driving across and arriving at airports. Whenever I drive across, both at Windsor and at Niagra Falls I get the 3rd degree:
1. "Do you have any firearms in the vehicle"? (No mam!)
2. "Are you aware that handguns are illegal in Canada"? (Yes mam!)

I bite my tongue, but I would like to say "Yes, I am aware that you are guarding the border of a socialistic Utopia, and as such the Subjects have relinquished all rights and liberties for the good of the collective".......but I don't because I have seen many of their dismantling efforts of some poor sap's vehicle, only to be released free and clear because they found nothing. Oh, and by the way, it's up to him to figure out how to re-assemble the seats, door trim and carpet.

To my Canadian friends, sorry to vent, but the Canadian border guards are as power drunk as our TSA, except they are not as inept.