Competing in the US
- Thread starter irish
- Start date
here's an example:
2016 US IPSC NATIONALS
June 1, 2016
Dear John Smith,
I would like to invite you to participate in the US IPSC Nationals pistol tournament to be held September 16-#‐18, 2016 hosted by Universal Shooting Academy in Frostproof, FL USA.
You will need this letter of invitation along with ATF form 6 NIA prior to entering the US with firearms.
Sincerely,
Shannon Smith
Shannon Smith
Tournament Director
Universal Shooting Academy
4300 Hwy 630 East
Frostproof, FL 33843
2016 US IPSC NATIONALS
June 1, 2016
Dear John Smith,
I would like to invite you to participate in the US IPSC Nationals pistol tournament to be held September 16-#‐18, 2016 hosted by Universal Shooting Academy in Frostproof, FL USA.
You will need this letter of invitation along with ATF form 6 NIA prior to entering the US with firearms.
Sincerely,
Shannon Smith
Shannon Smith
Tournament Director
Universal Shooting Academy
4300 Hwy 630 East
Frostproof, FL 33843
Here is another from a club
To Whom it May Concern:
The Northwest Practical Pistol Association (NWPPA) is a club which has hosted firearms competitions in Washington state for over thirty years. We welcome all qualified competitors, both from the United States and foreign nations.
This letter represents a standing invitation to John Doe of Anytown, BC, Canada, to attend any event hosted by NWPPA, including but not limited to, scheduled monthly matches conducted on the third Saturday of each month, and any special events which may be scheduled throughout the year.
Sincerely,
John Smith
President, Any Club
USA
To Whom it May Concern:
The Northwest Practical Pistol Association (NWPPA) is a club which has hosted firearms competitions in Washington state for over thirty years. We welcome all qualified competitors, both from the United States and foreign nations.
This letter represents a standing invitation to John Doe of Anytown, BC, Canada, to attend any event hosted by NWPPA, including but not limited to, scheduled monthly matches conducted on the third Saturday of each month, and any special events which may be scheduled throughout the year.
Sincerely,
John Smith
President, Any Club
USA
Some of the information contained in that link/letter is inaccurate. You do not need to submit an invitation letter with your Form 6. You also do not need to submit a membership card.
The new 6NIA form doesn't require invitation letter or hunting license for Canadian citizen. http://www.losttarget.com/form6.html
It depends on if you require a VISA to travel to the states.
VISA NOT REQUIRED
Legal Nonimmigrants Aliens who don't require a VISA
- As of July 2012 Nonimmigrants who don't require a VISA ARE NOT required to submit documentation (Hunting License / Shoot Invitation) with ATF Form 6NIA when submitting for approval.
* Some crossings may insist on a hunting license or shoot invitation. You can ask to speak to a supervisor but it may not get you anywhere.
May use or rent firearms and ammo without reservation – although purchase of a firearm (take possession) allowed only if they also qualify as a state “resident”.
VISA REQUIRED
Nonimmigrants Aliens who require a Visa
- Shoot invitation or state side hunting license (any state) is required to be submited with the ATF Form 6NIA application.
- Contact shoot management to receive a Shoot Invitation.
- An approved ATF Form 6NIA with stateside hunting license (any state), gives unlimited entry for valid reasons, not necessarily hunting.
Hunting license option is recommended for club visits, practice, attending shoots; league, fun, charity, without the need of a shoot invitation.
License Accepted: Non-resident shooting preserve, non-resident small game hunting, or non-resident non-game.
It depends on if you require a VISA to travel to the states.
VISA NOT REQUIRED
Legal Nonimmigrants Aliens who don't require a VISA
- As of July 2012 Nonimmigrants who don't require a VISA ARE NOT required to submit documentation (Hunting License / Shoot Invitation) with ATF Form 6NIA when submitting for approval.
* Some crossings may insist on a hunting license or shoot invitation. You can ask to speak to a supervisor but it may not get you anywhere.
May use or rent firearms and ammo without reservation – although purchase of a firearm (take possession) allowed only if they also qualify as a state “resident”.
VISA REQUIRED
Nonimmigrants Aliens who require a Visa
- Shoot invitation or state side hunting license (any state) is required to be submited with the ATF Form 6NIA application.
- Contact shoot management to receive a Shoot Invitation.
- An approved ATF Form 6NIA with stateside hunting license (any state), gives unlimited entry for valid reasons, not necessarily hunting.
Hunting license option is recommended for club visits, practice, attending shoots; league, fun, charity, without the need of a shoot invitation.
License Accepted: Non-resident shooting preserve, non-resident small game hunting, or non-resident non-game.
Yup...Last time I passed through Fort Erie (May 2016) they wanted a letter/invite. Luckily old habits die hard and I had one. Don't think arguing with them would be very fruitful.
It's easier to comply then be sent back 2+ hours to get paperwork.
Us border guards are absolutely within their rights to ask to see an invite.... They use it to substantiate your reason for entering the US... The same way they may ask to see a hotel confirmation if you're staying the night
You don't need a match invite to GET a Form 6, but you need one accompany the Form 6 when you cross the border.
I discussed this with a few different border guards, telling them that I had heard that an invite was no longer required (even though I ALWAYS take one). The response from them was consistent: "If you don't need an invite: no one has informed us of that", ergo: if you don't have one then you'll need to rely on verbal skills to talk yourself through. So, it's just way easier to take one with you.
-ivan-
I discussed this with a few different border guards, telling them that I had heard that an invite was no longer required (even though I ALWAYS take one). The response from them was consistent: "If you don't need an invite: no one has informed us of that", ergo: if you don't have one then you'll need to rely on verbal skills to talk yourself through. So, it's just way easier to take one with you.
-ivan-
You still need an invitation to cross into the States. You have to have a reason to bring the guns in. You just don't need one to get your form 6 approved.
I was never asked for an invite and always had one until that ONE time I didn't get one and the border services guy asked. Fortunately, I had gone through many times before and they remembered me. Now I get one every time just in case.
I cross at Coutts/Swee####er Alberta/Montana border crossing heading into the US for matches on average 4-5 times a year for the last 5 years, and the Montana Border Patrol have asked to see my match invite each time. Experiences may differ depending the state you are entering.
To temporarily import firearms into the US you need a Form 6. The answer to your question is yes you do. You are up against Federal Laws, your CCW permit is a State document.
Take Care
Bob
