Can Americans bring firearms into Canada if they're just visiting and they fill out the requisite forms?
Can Americans bring firearms into Canada if they are just visiting and fill out the requisite forms?There is a fair bit of erroneous information in previous answers.I have contained the rules below, as per US Canada Border Crossing GuideBringing firearms into CanadaCanada has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to bringing a gun into the country. Be sure to read our page on transporting firearms across the border for additional information that applies to both countries.The biggest problem Americans have is forgetting about a handgun they have with them. People from states such as Texas, which allow concealed weapons, get snagged quite often. If you fail to declare your weapon it will be destroyed, you will pay a fine, and jail time is a real possibility. Donu2019t make a mistake. The official Canadian website says that border officers can exercise discretion, but it appears far more likely that they will take a hard line if you violate their rules.Generally speaking, you may bring up to three allowed guns across the border if you fill out a form and pay a fee in Canadian dollars. When you arrive at the border you will declare your firearm, prthe required documents as listed below, and answer all questions truthfully. The border services officer must be satisfied that you have a valid reason for importing the firearm, and may check to ensure that you have stored your firearm properly for transportation. They will review your paperwork and may verify that the firearm you have with you matches the one described in the documents.This whole process is governed by the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Rules change, so review these websites carefully to make sure you are up to date on all requirements. You can contact the CBSA directly for advice at theirtelephone information line. Likewise, you can call the RCMP directly for advice. Review our general page on Transporting Firearms Across the Border for general information that applies to both countries.Personal Requirements to Bring a Firearm into CanadaYou must be 18 or older to bring a firearm into Canada. Minors ages 12-18 can bring firearms, but they have to first obtain a minoru2019s license. To obtain this, it is necessary to pass a firearms safety course. The minor will need to be accompanied by an adult the entire time they are in possession of the firearm, and the adult will be legally responsible for it. Minors can only use non-restricted firearms.If you have a criminal record it will take longer and be significantly more difficult to bring a firearm into Canada. It does not matter if the crimes were violent or gun-related. Get your application started much earlier if you have any type of criminal record.Types of WeaponsThere are different Canadian government forms for different purposes, so you will need to make sure you get the right form to declare your weapon and ammunition at the Canadian border. If you are moving permanently to Canada there are different requirements than those listed below.Antique firearms are not considered firearms for licensing and registration purposes, so you shouldnu2019t need any paperwork. You should still declare them at the border crossing. Antique firearms include any firearms manufactured before 1898 that are not originally designed or redesigned to discharge rim-fire or centre-fire ammunition, long guns manufactured in 1898 or later that are reproductions of flintlock, wheel-lock, or matchlock firearms, and firearms that are classified as antique by regulations.What you need to do about your weapon depends on which category if falls into. There are three primary weapons categories: non-restricted, restricted, and prohibited.Non-restricted firearmsNon-restricted firearms generally include most ordinary hunting rifles and shotguns, which are expected to be used for sporting, hunting, and competitions. The gun must meet the following requirements:semi-automatic rifles and shotguns with barrels that are at least 470 mm (18.5 inches) longsingle-shot or manual repeating rifles and shotguns of any length, as long as they are not designed or adapted to be fired when reduced to a length of less than 660 mm (26 inches) by folding, telescoping or other means.As a visitor, you will need to fill out a Non-Resident Firearm Declaration Form to bring one of these types of firearms into Canada. This counts as a registration certificate and a license to have your guns. Declarations are valid for 60 days, but may be renewed free of charge before expiration. With this form, firearms can also be transported through Canada to another eventual destination.The Canadian border officer will not make copies of the form for you at the border, so it is recommended that you complete the form before arriving at the border, and make an additional copy of the completed form. It is also imperative that you do not sign the form until you arrive at the border, since it is necessary for a Canadian Customs officer to witness your signature. This license will allow you to buy ammunition in Canada, and to transport up to 200 rounds into the country with you.Restricted firearmsThese weapons can only be used for target shooting on approved ranges, and are expected not to be used for hunting or self-defense.To bring a restricted firearm into Canada you must obtain an Authorization to Transport permit (ATT) in addition to the Non-resident Firearm Declaration or PAL. This must be obtained in advance from the Chief Firearms Officer of the province where the firearm will be going, or where it will be crossing the border. You do not need to use this form if the firearm is being shipped by a licensed carriermost handgunssemi-automatic rifles and shotguns that are capable of discharging centre-fire ammunition, have barrels between 105 mm (4.14 inches) and 470 mm (18.5 inches) long, and are not otherwise prohibitedfirearms designed or adapted to be fired when reduced to a length of less than 660 mm (26 inches) by folding, telescoping or other meansfirearms restricted by regulationsProhibited firearmsThese firearms are fully banned for importation into Canada. Regardless of licensing and paperwork, prohibited weapons will be seized at the border and destroyed. These include:handguns with barrels less than or equal to 105 mm (4.14 inches) longhandguns designed or adapted to discharge a 25 or 32-calibre cartridgefirearms adapted from rifles or shotguns by sawing, cutting or any other alteration, that, when adapted in this way, are less than 660 mm (about 26 inches) long or have a barrel that is less than 457 mm (about 18 inches) longautomatic firearms, whether or not altered to fire in the manner of a semi-automatic firearmsilencers or devices designed to muffle or stop the sound of a firearmcertain cartridge magazines above a given capacity. Generally, cartridge magazines are limited to 5 rounds for centre-fire, semi-automatic rifles or shotguns and 10 rounds for semiautomatic handguns, with exemptions for certain magazinesbullpup stocksReplica firearms that are designed or intended to exactly resemble a firearm with near precision. This includes weapons that are not reproductions of antique firearms and some types of airsoft or blank gunsIn addition, the following weapons are completely prohibited from entering Canada:Many types of knives including gravity knives, automatic knives such as switchblades, or centrifugal knives such as flick knives or butterfly knives. Also Constant Companion (belt-buckle knife), push daggers, finger rings with blades or other sharp objects projecting from the surface, and devices shorter than 30 cm concealing a knife blade (e.g. knife-comb).Mace or pepper spray designed for use on humans is prohibited. Bear repellent spray is allowed.Marshall arts equipment such as nunchaku sticks, shuriken (throwing stars), manrikigusari or kusari (fighting chains)Taser and stun guns shorter than 480 mmcrossbows designed for one-handed use or crossbows 500 mm or shorterblowgunsKiyoga or Steel Cobra batons (spring batons) or any spring-loaded rigid batons (triggered by a button or lever)Morning stars, spiked wristbands, or brass knucklesTL:DR: Yes you can.C.
