ok, just starting out, could be way ahead of myself, but... what are the rules / requirements / etc of being able to shoot IDPA & IPSC matches in the USA? is there a membership requirement, a XX months of whatnot requirement, etc? i assume i can't just waltz down to the closest US-based club and have at it...
how to shoot matches in the USA?
- Thread starter BP7
- Start date
Actually, many clubs in US are much more lenient than clubs here in Canada, and then will not require you to pass 80-week probation with 24 probational shoots under the supervision of 12 club directors.
If you have IPSC membership - you probably can come to most clubs' matches and they'll let you shoot, or any other reasonable proof of safety proficiency will suffice. Of course you'll need to sign up in advance for bigger matches.
As was mentioned above you'll need to satisfy all legal requirements if you want to bring you firearms in US, or even if you want to rent or borrow some on the range. One good place to read about all this is here: http://www.losttarget.com/form6.html
'Been shooting in the USA for several years ... It's no problem.
Y'need a form 6NIA available free from the BATFE.
DHS might ask to see an invitation, but never been denide entry for lack of one.
3-gun is exploding across the US right now... The matches are heavily sponsored/supported by industry. 'Was at a match in Kentucky back in April were the worth of the prizes was easily in the tens of thousands of dollars. Unlike here where if you're lucky you can buy a raffle ticket for your chance to win a box of bullets.
Google "3 gun nation"
Y'need a form 6NIA available free from the BATFE.
DHS might ask to see an invitation, but never been denide entry for lack of one.
3-gun is exploding across the US right now... The matches are heavily sponsored/supported by industry. 'Was at a match in Kentucky back in April were the worth of the prizes was easily in the tens of thousands of dollars. Unlike here where if you're lucky you can buy a raffle ticket for your chance to win a box of bullets.
Google "3 gun nation"
Or not... Really, I spoke to CBSA about this years ago and they looked at me like I hade two heads. Their response was "WTF do you think the registration cards are for? Don't waste our time"
in the dozens of trips I've made I've only ever been asked to produce my registration slips....
That not for our Customs but for US Customs. Even though they are meaningless Some US Customs staff like to see it so they know we are not going to "sell" our guns in the USA. Most US Custom Officers know the Form 6N is all we need but some of the 'old" hands look for the "green card" It just one less thing for them to send you in to secondary for......
No you don't. Your gun registrations cards are all you need.
Unless you are a US citizen or permanent resident, you can't buy a gun in the US. Furthermore, you can't export a gun out of the US without a State Department Export Permit. If you can't provide the registration card for the gun you bring back into Canada it will be confiscated until it can be proven that the gun is registered to you in Canada.
Doug The Canuck
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- central Ontario
Actually, you would be best to have one.
Technically speaking, you could buy a gun in the US, register it via mail and get a registration card without it ever being in Canada. If you have the Canadian Customs card, there is no doubt that it originated in Canada as you can't get one without a Canadian Customs official actually seeing the firearm.
The gun has to be transferred from someone in Canada; another registered owner, or through a registered Canadian gun dealer.
I've travelled literally hundreds of times across the border with firearms and have never needed to show a green card to Canada Customs on returning. All Canada Customs ask to see is your licence and registration certificates. The green card was a pre-registry requirement.
- Location
- Calgary, Alberta
Unless ATF changed something recently, a match entry form won't do it unless it's an NRA-sanctioned event (or State affiliate), I ran into that problem myself and know a lot of other people who have too. In fact I know people who were going to an NRA-sanctioned event and because the form didn't clearly say that, their applications were denied.
The best way to do it is to get a hunting licence issued by any State and use that to support the Form 6NIA application. For some reason a lot of people get them from Alaska but I think the Utah hunter training one ($10 pa) is a better idea personally (I have it in writing from ATF they will accept it).
However, CBP might want to see a match entry form to support your statement that you are visiting the place you say you are going to in the US, because your licence might be from Alaska and you are going to a match in Florida for example.
Best idea is to have both, imo.
The green CBSA export declaration card is a good idea too, especially if you're coming back through a major POE like Pearson, trust me sooner or later you will get a jobsworth at secondary.
The other advantage of having a hunting licence is that you can then legally handle firearms in the US generally speaking (and purchase ammunition), e.g. if you go to a rental range you're supposed to have one, some ranges check, some don't, but legally you must have one.
My main bit of advice when travelling with firearms is not to take connecting flights if at all possible, go direct.
Also the mag ban is a PITA because where you're going generally won't have one.
- Location
- Calgary, Alberta
Absolutely, I did that with a firearm that never even entered Canada, I just registered everything I had before I moved here but I sold that rifle before I moved, so it was registered here but has never crossed the border. I had a hell of a job getting the registration cancelled.
Doug The Canuck
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- central Ontario
You are better to go with a stateside hunting licence. North Dakota is fine, except they don't issue the next year's until March. I usually cross the border on New Year's Day and have to have a current licence when I cross. Alaska starts issuing the next year's on November 1.
Shoot invitations must include your name on the invitation. A shoot announcement won't do.
I have used a registration confirmation showing the name of the hosting facility plus my squadding times and my name on it.
Shoot invitations must include your name on the invitation. A shoot announcement won't do.
I have used a registration confirmation showing the name of the hosting facility plus my squadding times and my name on it.
Doug The Canuck
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- central Ontario
Yes.
In order to apply for a form 6, you must send the licence in with the application. The easiest and fastest way to do this is by fax. The only down side is, the completed form 6 is sent back to the fax number you sent it from, so if you do it from Sataples, let them know that about 3-5 weeks later, a fax will arrive for you.
North Dakota has small games licence. Alaska has one too. They can both be purchased over the internet. North Dakota can be printed on your printer as part of the process. Alaska prints a temporary one and then follows up with the real thing by mail about a week later.
Go to the lost target site. Joe has everything on there you need to know. If you have further questions, just email him. He probably knows more about form 6 than anyone in North America. He knows the ATF staff by name and crosses the border almost weekly during shooting season. You can download a fillable PDF file, fill it in and print it, then fax it.
Make sure you put down every possible gun and ammo you MIGHT take. If it's on the form, you don't need to take it, but if it's not on the form, you CAN"T take it.
