American Gun lover moving to Canada Please help!
- Thread starter GMarciano
- Start date
Silverado
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
One prerequisite to moving to Canada as a firearms enthusiast is increasing your proficiency to expert level in #####ing, complaining, wailing and gnashing of teeth over our totally senseless firearms laws.
Otherwise, the technicalities seem to be covered well here WRT the paperwork etc.
You should convince your girl to move to Alberta. At least we can get an ATT here in a day or so...
Otherwise, the technicalities seem to be covered well here WRT the paperwork etc.
You should convince your girl to move to Alberta. At least we can get an ATT here in a day or so...
MillerTime
Member
- Location
- Saskatchewan
Silverado is right. Alberta ( and Saskatchewan) is not quite as picky about issuing the ATT. I got mine the same day and it is good for any border crossing, gunsmith etc in Saskatchewan.
The hunting opportunities here in Canada will be a definite plus from the States.
The hunting opportunities here in Canada will be a definite plus from the States.
Cost of living is really relative. If your moving from the backwaters of WV or upstate NY to within an hours drive of Toronto, yeah it's going to be pricier. Southern Ontario and BC are not great examples of affordability. I moved from NYC to the "big city" in Manitoba several years ago and despite taking an initial 50% wage cut I am living fatter on the hog than I ever could down south. For example, I own a little hunting land that sits right on the Manitoba/Minnesota border. My American neighbor paid 4 x the amount for his land. It's the same land, trees, deer separated by an invisible border. Although the grass is not necesarily greener on this side, it sure is nice.
Last edited:
- Location
- Newfoundland
Although the process sounds complicated, in reality it isn't...just time consuming. Fill out the paperwork correctly and you're good to go. My cousin moved back to Canada from Florida a couple of years ago. He'd spent about 12 years living in the USA and had built up quite a gun collection. Other than a Makarov, an AK-47 & a couple of 4" S&W wheel guns, the rest of his collection were easily imported. FYI, you don't have to pay registration fees or taxes/duty of them either, as they're classified as household goods.
With respect to your AR-15, you'll need to do a little more research on exporting that rifle from the US. The US State Dept. has become extremely anal and imposed many restrictions on what can and cannot be exported from the US. Best to check with your ATF. Since you are moving permanently to Canada, there may be some exemptions or different standards applied as the firearm in question isn't being shipped to a foreign national and you are the actual "end user."
As for your AR magazines, best advice is to pick up as many RRA LAR-15 mags as you can find. Make sure they are specifically marked for pistol use only. You will be shocked by just how much more we have to pay for things like mags, ammo, reloading components, etc... I would also look into bringing with you as much ammo as permitted under Canadian/US law. Ammo prices are crazy. Forget access to all that cheap surplus stuff you guys enjoy in the States. If you still want to try and bring in your 20-30 round AR mags, make sure it is physically impossible to insert anymore than 5 rounds. Drilling a hole and putting in a pop rivet is the most common way to do this. You can also use a punch and make a deep dent into the sides of the mag that would physically prevent the follower from passing below the five round mark. Others choose to weld/glue an internal block or dowel and/or glue/weld the floor plate permanently.
Also, as was said, all semi-auto centerfire rifle mags are limited to 5 rounds. This limitation doesn't include rimfire .22s. Handgun magazines are limited to 10 rounds max.
One thing you will like is the fact that because the AR-15 is a restricted firearm, there is no limitation on how short you can go with your barrel! No $200 tax stamp and hoops to jump through with the local LEO to own a shorty! The drawback is that you can only shoot it at an approved range; same goes for all restricteds. No gravel pit plinking with ARs or pistols in Canada! Since you're moving to Ontario, you'll need to find and join a gun club ASAP. Ontario's "regulations" are even more screwed up than the rest of the country and there is in a place a requirement for a person with restricted firearms to belong to an authorized gun club. You must then take the club's approved safety course and only then, will the club apply for an Authorization to Transport on your behalf. Crazy as it sounds, that's the agreement Ontario gun clubs made a number of years back. In most other provinces, obtaining an ATT is as simple as picking up the phone or fax.
Personally, I'd try to convince the missus to move to the States rather than you moving to Canada.
With respect to your AR-15, you'll need to do a little more research on exporting that rifle from the US. The US State Dept. has become extremely anal and imposed many restrictions on what can and cannot be exported from the US. Best to check with your ATF. Since you are moving permanently to Canada, there may be some exemptions or different standards applied as the firearm in question isn't being shipped to a foreign national and you are the actual "end user."
As for your AR magazines, best advice is to pick up as many RRA LAR-15 mags as you can find. Make sure they are specifically marked for pistol use only. You will be shocked by just how much more we have to pay for things like mags, ammo, reloading components, etc... I would also look into bringing with you as much ammo as permitted under Canadian/US law. Ammo prices are crazy. Forget access to all that cheap surplus stuff you guys enjoy in the States. If you still want to try and bring in your 20-30 round AR mags, make sure it is physically impossible to insert anymore than 5 rounds. Drilling a hole and putting in a pop rivet is the most common way to do this. You can also use a punch and make a deep dent into the sides of the mag that would physically prevent the follower from passing below the five round mark. Others choose to weld/glue an internal block or dowel and/or glue/weld the floor plate permanently.
Also, as was said, all semi-auto centerfire rifle mags are limited to 5 rounds. This limitation doesn't include rimfire .22s. Handgun magazines are limited to 10 rounds max.
One thing you will like is the fact that because the AR-15 is a restricted firearm, there is no limitation on how short you can go with your barrel! No $200 tax stamp and hoops to jump through with the local LEO to own a shorty! The drawback is that you can only shoot it at an approved range; same goes for all restricteds. No gravel pit plinking with ARs or pistols in Canada! Since you're moving to Ontario, you'll need to find and join a gun club ASAP. Ontario's "regulations" are even more screwed up than the rest of the country and there is in a place a requirement for a person with restricted firearms to belong to an authorized gun club. You must then take the club's approved safety course and only then, will the club apply for an Authorization to Transport on your behalf. Crazy as it sounds, that's the agreement Ontario gun clubs made a number of years back. In most other provinces, obtaining an ATT is as simple as picking up the phone or fax.
Personally, I'd try to convince the missus to move to the States rather than you moving to Canada.
The olympic AR15 - I won't cry for it. You can easily obtain a STAG or an Armalite here, of much better quality. You will get less US choices but with much more foreign choices due to the fact that we don't have a 89 importation ban like the US does.
To be honest, it is not much a hassle to own restricted. You just have join a club and get the ATT, and go through the motion of those retarded courses. Basicly, it is just a few days of investment and some waiting time. Once it is done, you just have to renew your club membership once a year to keep your ATT. Once it is done, the maintenance to upkeep the ATT is very LOW. Don't let that little initial admin thing to deter you.
And some of the people are making it very scary, like you cannot go to the bathroom if you are transporting a restricted. If you go to the shopping mall 100 miles away from the range and have guns stacked all the to the top , then you ask for it. However, practically no one is going to kick you arse if you need to make a turn into town to refuel and grab a burger off A&W on the way home. Just be reasonable
To be honest, it is not much a hassle to own restricted. You just have join a club and get the ATT, and go through the motion of those retarded courses. Basicly, it is just a few days of investment and some waiting time. Once it is done, you just have to renew your club membership once a year to keep your ATT. Once it is done, the maintenance to upkeep the ATT is very LOW. Don't let that little initial admin thing to deter you.
And some of the people are making it very scary, like you cannot go to the bathroom if you are transporting a restricted. If you go to the shopping mall 100 miles away from the range and have guns stacked all the to the top , then you ask for it. However, practically no one is going to kick you arse if you need to make a turn into town to refuel and grab a burger off A&W on the way home. Just be reasonable
Last edited:
thats a load of crap. we pay for our medical in taxes and directly to the system. The wages are lower here ,the taxes greater with less right offs and our cost of liveing is more. If you spend some time and add in the hidden taxes you will see that we are paying for a bloated system.
If America wanted universal healthcare it would be very simple all they would have to do is accept being over taxed and have the freedoms they have comprimised. Do you really think they would go for it
poor bastard...shes got to be quite the girl///
Chuckbuster
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
The problem is what constitutes "reasonable", and as was stated "practically no one". What you or I or anyone else may consider as reasonable may not be so to an overzealous police officer or other agent of the state who can be blind to all but the letter of the law. Which means that while some may be accommodating and understanding of a particular situation, others may not. That's where the "scary" part kicks in. As firearms owners and in particular restricted owners we are very much at the mercy of the whim of whomsoever decides to take a closer look at us. And, if chance does not favour us, then life descends into the ninth plane of hell as we are turfed into the Canadian legal system...which treats firearm owners who have transgressed against paper far more harshly than thugs with guns in Toronto.
But can't the same be said for the USA?
--CA has concealed carry in its state law, but has the provision where you need your local LEO to approve the application. If you live in a big city, you are SOL.
--OR has full auto, but the federal regs say you must get the top cop in your area to sign off. I spoke with two POLICE members of the Portland, OR PD a few years ago at the ALbany OR FA shoot I attended. Even though they were cops their own chief would not sign them off, until another cop took his own chief to court.
--A new CGN member here from the US got himself into some problem when he was 16, by breaking a lot of windows with a slingshot. He is now considered a Felon, and is banned from owning any firearm
--and I haven't even touched on Waco or Ruby Ridge.......
jaythedogg
New member
- Location
- Iowa, US
Well, 17, but yes, this is a fact. I too plan to move to Canada, in 2010/2011. Why? Well, the USA sucks for alot of reasons. None of which I will get in to right now. Less importantly, but still pretty cool, Canada, atleast, will allow me to have a PAL & possibly an RPAL. They are (evidently) not as petty as the US.
Canada also has a lot more of that "open & beautiful" untouched land that I love to explore.
As far as the felony goes, yes, 17 years old & with a slingshot, but the dollar amount dictated a felony & in being that, I cannot own a firearm (or a lot of things) due to juvenile acts with a wrist rocket.
Petty. Very petty.
Edit: Let's not forget that my crime was committed in Iowa of all places. I still cannot own a firearm. The "heartland" of America is so petty. Even if I could own a gun though, I would still move up north to Canada.
Last edited:
- Location
- Southern Ontario
quite a girl
indeed. one in a million. for me to go through all this hassle when in WV i can by a Kel-tech AR15 style hand gun like i am buying a pizza, walk out of the store with it, no case, no locks, with 10 30 round mags that i loaded in the store before i purchased them and walk out into my truck and say thank you come again... you bet shes quite a girl. women have a strange effect on a man.... very strange...
indeed. one in a million. for me to go through all this hassle when in WV i can by a Kel-tech AR15 style hand gun like i am buying a pizza, walk out of the store with it, no case, no locks, with 10 30 round mags that i loaded in the store before i purchased them and walk out into my truck and say thank you come again... you bet shes quite a girl.
women have a strange effect on a man.... very strange...morggun
CGN Regular
- Location
- Vancouver Island
Join the ORA or DCRA
- Location
- Southern Ontario
move is this weekend
So now i guess they are treating me as a visitor to Canada for a term of 3 years. and are telling me that the moving me will ship all of my long guns for me with "no restrictions" only my 2 hand guns are considered "non admissible"
I have to meet the shipper at the Hamilton airport at the customs office to "approve the shipment" what happens if customs does not approve the shipment?? i just don't want to all ready be in Canada and then risk Canadian gov't confiscating something.
I will have to get my RPAL for the hand guns, and was told i have to prove to the mounted police that i NEED them. not sure how that will go since all I will be able to prove is target fun because i do not live was up north in the bush. any ideas? anyhow im shipping these to my dad in NY for the meantime until i can figure this out.
So now i guess they are treating me as a visitor to Canada for a term of 3 years. and are telling me that the moving me will ship all of my long guns for me with "no restrictions" only my 2 hand guns are considered "non admissible"
I have to meet the shipper at the Hamilton airport at the customs office to "approve the shipment" what happens if customs does not approve the shipment?? i just don't want to all ready be in Canada and then risk Canadian gov't confiscating something.
I will have to get my RPAL for the hand guns, and was told i have to prove to the mounted police that i NEED them. not sure how that will go since all I will be able to prove is target fun because i do not live was up north in the bush. any ideas? anyhow im shipping these to my dad in NY for the meantime until i can figure this out.
Chuckbuster
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I will have to get my RPAL for the hand guns, and was told i have to prove to the mounted police that i NEED them. not sure how that will go since all I will be able to prove is target fun because i do not live was up north in the bush. any ideas? anyhow im shipping these to my dad in NY for the meantime until i can figure this out.
Find a club approved for restricted firearms in the area you are moving to, join immediately and make arrangements with them to demonstrate your proficiency with handguns and firearms safety (the arrangement is that the government will issue you an ATT based on the club's acceptance and approval of you). Target shooting at an approved club is the reason they need to hear.
ontgunner
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Closer than you'd think!
...I will have to get my RPAL for the hand guns, and was told i have to prove to the mounted police that i NEED them. not sure how that will go since all I will be able to prove is target fun because i do not live was up north in the bush. any ideas? anyhow im shipping these to my dad in NY for the meantime until i can figure this out.
You join a club and tell the RCMP you are a target shooter.
The only two options we have are this and being a collector. Collectors do not get ATTs (authorization to transport), which means the (hand) guns never leave your house
For most of us, this is not an option.- Location
- Southern Ontario
thank you to all those who helped provide very useful information. I am in Southern ON, kitchener ON specifically and am looking to join some clubs, however the Galt gun club for example says you must bring your Pal WIth you to apply, so i guess i need to get that first. I now need to sign up for a "Safety Training certification" any instructors out there?? I was able to get half of my guns over the boarder on the temp permit at boarder for 25 bucks, but will need to get RPAL for the rest, they told me AR15 and Judge would never be aloud. Hopefully they are wrong, at least on the AR15. I might trade the 3in barrel judge for a longer barrel. they make 4.5 and 6.5 inch.
They denied my AR because of the barrel length of 16 inchs. need to have 18 inch min.
So im trying to find a picture of myself for the application now, but i guess i have to wait till i get the safety training first.
If there are any instructors out there please contact me, or if you know of a good one, please contact me.
Gabriel.marciano@gmail.com
Thanks alot! cant wait to throw some lead!
They denied my AR because of the barrel length of 16 inchs. need to have 18 inch min.
So im trying to find a picture of myself for the application now, but i guess i have to wait till i get the safety training first.
If there are any instructors out there please contact me, or if you know of a good one, please contact me.
Gabriel.marciano@gmail.com
Thanks alot! cant wait to throw some lead!
The ar15 will be fine. It's the same as a pistol. AR's don't need a specific barrel length at all. The only thing the 18.5 in rule is for is wither a repeating firearm is considered restricted on non-restricted. The AR15 is restricted by name anyway no matter what barrel lenght. Someone dosen't know what they are talking about.
Right on the 3in judge though sadly. Anything under 105.1mm is prohib and you can't bring it into the country.
Right on the 3in judge though sadly. Anything under 105.1mm is prohib and you can't bring it into the country.
Last edited:
