Competing south of the border *need help*

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Alright, so here's the back story. I got a friend of mine into shooting and competing. Now we're planning a relatively rush trip to the US to attend a three gun match. I know I need an ATF form 6 to enter the US but I'm not sure I can get the required "invite" for the match as its just a local event. I know other competitors have purchased inexpensive gaming/hunting license to qualify for entry with firearms. Can someone steer me in the right direction or offer advice on how to go about this. The match is in Montana in September, I'm hoping this will be enough time to apply.

Thanks.

TDC
 
Go to north dakota wild life government site and you can buy a non fur bearing license for $15.00 been using it for years.
 
Email the club and ask for an invite. I've done that for clubs in the US if I was going to be in the area for their monthly club match. Just ask for an invite from either the MD or host club. It doesn't have to be a big formal thing. Try to get it on the club letterhead if possible but any kind of invite. I've had no problem with this in the past.
 
TDC said:
I will contact the club for details. Seeing as how this match is in September will that be enough time to get my form 6?

TDC
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That should be plenty of time, I sent mine in early December, and it was returned (by fax) in early January, so even with the Christmas holidays it was about a month. I believe ATF can return the approved 6NIA by e-mail now, that would be better than fax.

For Ontario once you have the 6NIA you need to get a border ATT from the CFO, that was also quick - call them, fax them the 6NIA, they fax back the ATT. The CFO here is also e-mailing ATTs, much better to avoid the fax if possible.

When preparing the 6NIA keep in mind no short barreled rifles (< 16"), no pistols with stocks, mostly no Norinco.

The 6NIA indicates the maximum quantity and types of ammunition to be imported, it is not necessary to import everything specified but everything to be imported must be on the 6NIA. Ammunition should probably correspond to the calibers of firearms, for handloads the phrase is something like "10,000 cartridges, 40 S&W, various headstamps, hand loaded by the applicant".

You can have multiple 6NIAs.

The 6NIA is valid for a calendar year and the border ATT should match that.

If you get a state hunting license be sure it is valid from the time you cross until after you plan to return.

Do not leave firearms in the U.S.

While ATF specifically prescribes a state hunting license as a way to relieve the "firearms disability" that otherwise prohibits non-immigrant aliens from possessing firearms or ammunition in the U.S. there can sometimes be confusion, misunderstanding and other issues when crossing the border if you are obviously going somewhere other than hunting in the state that issued your hunting license.

Two measures you should take are to (a) print out the relevant regulations from the ATF website, and (b) get some sort of invitation to the match, because that may help the border agent understand why you are crossing the border with firearms while not intending to hunt in the state that issued the license.

I am not a lawyer or an expert in these regulation, nor do I play one on TV, nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn last night.

Good luck.

Snapshot
 
TDC said:
I will contact the club for details. Seeing as how this match is in September will that be enough time to get my form 6?

TDC
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As other have said, yes. TDC you can list up to 5K of rounds for any one gun. The form now asks for your email address. You will get the form back completed by the ATF by email. You then just print it out. Watch for it in anywhere from two to four weeks. I think it pays list only the amount of ammo you are likely to ever need.

Ask the club to give you an invite to attend matches at their club through out 2012 and you are good to go for the year.

I didn't realize you were a gamer.;)

Take Care

Bob
 
I don't know if anyone mentioned this, but the invite should have your name on it. It should be to you specifically not a blanket invite.
 
Canuck44 said:
As other have said, yes. TDC you can list up to 5K of rounds for any one gun. The form now asks for your email address. You will get the form back completed by the ATF by email. You then just print it out. Watch for it in anywhere from two to four weeks. I think it pays list only the amount of ammo you are likely to ever need.

Ask the club to give you an invite to attend matches at their club through out 2012 and you are good to go for the year.

I didn't realize you were a gamer.;)

Take Care

Bob
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Oh Bob, where have you been? I do compete, but not nearly as much as I would like. Figured a road trip to a free(er) nation where I can run full capacity magazines wouldn't be such a bad idea.;)

TDC

ETA: Still waiting on a response from the club in question. I might go the hunting license route.
 
I got my form6NIA last week. Processing time was 2.5 weeks.

They did not send it by email although they had it. It came by fax as it did last year.

The prairie dogs are anxiously awaiting my arrival stateside! :D
 
toxic said:
I got my form6NIA last week. Processing time was 2.5 weeks.

They did not send it by email although they had it. It came by fax as it did last year.

The prairie dogs are anxiously awaiting my arrival stateside! :D
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Toxic,

I take it your applied with a hunting license of some sort? Could you give me the details on that either here or via PM?

TDC
 
Just a quick question, as I've always been curious about it, have you guys ever flown with your firearms? If so, how did you transport/pack them?
 
if you are to young to get a North Dakota will not work for you as they need a proof of a hunter safety course however Alaska doesn't and is only two dollars more. I usually apply with both a match invite and a hunting licence to cover off both.
 
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according to the airlines your gun must be unloaded, locked and packed in a lock HARD case. you have to fill out their short form however if they ask for more tehn your PAL tell them they are breaking FOIP and they usually back off. You may take 5 kilos of ammo, must be in cases and cannot be in the same suitcase as the gun forcing you for two check bags. if you are flying the people's airline they will also charge you a special handling fee since they make you go through over size baggage with your gun.
 
Question... What if anything is the deal with temporarily importing ITAR restricted items on your guns? E.g, say you have an EoTech or whatever on your AR... Do you have to specially declare it? Is it part of what you specify on the forms 6?
 
mechanik said:
Question... What if anything is the deal with temporarily importing ITAR restricted items on your guns? E.g, say you have an EoTech or whatever on your AR... Do you have to specially declare it? Is it part of what you specify on the forms 6?
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I would stop at Canadian Customs prior to entering the US and get a green card (Y something or other) from them showing you had the item(s) in Canada so both the Americans and Canadians should have no issue when you come back.
 
mechanik said:
Question... What if anything is the deal with temporarily importing ITAR restricted items on your guns? E.g, say you have an EoTech or whatever on your AR... Do you have to specially declare it? Is it part of what you specify on the forms 6?
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Never been an issue... In theory your gear was inspected by DHS/USBP before you entered the USA... So you had it before you left home.

Out of the dozens of times I've got to the US by car I've only ever had to actually open a gun case for inspection 3 or 4 times. Coming back into Canada... Once.
 
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I crossed the border twice this weekend and both times, both entering/leaving the US, we popped the trunk and verified serial #'s

I even had one guy close his lane down and come over to take a look, talked guns for a couple minutes, pissed off everyone in line and was on my way.
Nice guys.

Oh, and I used the hunting license vs an invite as I had none.
Luckily the guys I dealt with knew the rules so no hassles.
 
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