Sending a handgun from Belgium to the US

[Amb]

I know someone in Belgium who has a handgun that his father 'borrowed' from the Germans in WWI. His father's possession of the handgun was regularized after the war, and eventually it got into my contact's hands. However, he never registered it, even as such became required in recent years. He wants to give the gun to me, and I'd like to be able to bring it to the US.

I understand that I need to fill out a form 6 from the ATF in triplicate, send it in, and wait for approval. I'll also need an FFL importer.

My question is really what I need to do on the Belgium side. Is there even a way to get it out of the country legally?

 

[kingpin008]

If he never registered it after registration became mandatory, I'd wager that the answer is no. In fact, admitting that they have an unregistered firearm might be a very bad idea in and of itself.

 

[whalerman]

We can all offer guesses, but who can know except someone with a knowledge of Belgian laws. You will also have to determine the mood of the week with our government authorities.

 

[crossrhodes]

Broker

You need to get in touch with a import (customs) broker and they will be able to handle it and provide the info you need. I would have the ATF form 6 before hand to make it a little easier on the broker. We have a few FFL's here that regularly transfer firearms from Canada to the states for people in the same situation as yours. If you can't find a broke, or not sure where to look, check the airport in your area. Hope this helps.

 

[Bubbles]

If you can't find a broke, or not sure where to look, check the airport in your area. Hope this helps.

http://www.atf.gov/about/foia/ffl-list.html

The FFL type is listed in the fourth column of the XL spreadsheet. An import license is a Type 08.

 

[Keb]

Let me suggest that you call Michael at ETSS (European Target Shooter Supply) in Hotchkiss, Colorado. His phone is 970-872-3770. Mike and his wife are both champion shooters and hunters. He is of Austrian birth, but he has been in the USA for quite some time. His main business is Import/Export.

He speaks five languages, and has a large European clientele and many contacts.

http://etssincusa.com/about_us

 

[toivo]

If I understand you correctly, your friend's possession of this handgun is now illegal in Belgium because he didn't register it. I don't see how you're going to get it into your legal possession without any jeopardy to him. That's going to be your first hurdle. I think you both need to consult a Belgian lawyer.

 

[killertom]

The handgun is not necessarily illegal. There is a list of firearms in Belgium that hold historical value and can be bought and held without any kind of licensing. I have this list, so if you tell us what the pistol is, I can tell you if it's legal to own without a license in Belgium or not.

 

[toivo]

I was just going off this part:

However, he never registered it, even as such became required in recent years.

Maybe I misunderstood, but that sounds to me like the current status isn't legal.

 

[Amb]

Thanks for all the feedback, and I apologize for not replying sooner.

The handgun is a Luger from WWI. I should be able to get more detail next month when I go over there.

The legal situation in Belgium is key to the whole thing. If we can't get it transfered legally, we'll just drop it. That would be too bad, the Luger is one beautiful piece of kit. And you'd think the Belgian government would be glad to have fewer handguns in the country