Going shooting in the US

medic3

medic3

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I'm going to the States this weekend to shoot a match and this is my first time. I was wondering what the procedure is once you get to the US border. I have all the paperwork needed but what should I do when I get to the gate at the border? Do I need to go in or ......? Does it take long to get through the process at the border?

Thanks
 
since your goingthru american customs here is what I suggest

1) have all your papers in order, make a copy of your ATF form 6 and staple to that a copy of your reg certs of the firearms your bringing down. keep these copies handy to give to the officer when asked.

that is all the officer at the window has to see... make sure you declare when asked what the purpose of your visit is that you are going to a shooting competition and or vacation.

Make sure that you only bring the firearms listed on your form 6, make sure they are all trigger locked and stored in a locked case, even your long arms. better to be safe then sorry if you need to goto secondary inspection. IF your bringing a shotgun that has a side saddle you may have to transport thru customs with the side saddle off so that the customs guys can see the serial number (side saddle hides serial # on remington 870's)

thatgives you somestuff to think about, 90% of the time itis going to be painless... but think and prepare for everything.
 
medic3 said:
I'm going to the States this weekend to shoot a match and this is my first time. I was wondering what the procedure is once you get to the US border. I have all the paperwork needed but what should I do when I get to the gate at the border? Do I need to go in or ......? Does it take long to get through the process at the border?

Thanks
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Make sure you remove your sunglasses when you approach the kiosk. You will hand the officer your passport first, then when they ask where you are going you say:
"I'm going to (club name here) to attend the (name of match here) and I have (X) number of registered target guns on board. Here is my form 6, and my match invitation. Do not call them weapons or pistols or handguns or whatever. Make life easy on yourself and refer to them as target guns. The officer may or may not then require you to step out of the car and show the firearm/s to verify the serial numbers, or he may send you inside to do this, or he may take your documents away for a moment to consult with his supervisor. Either way, if all of your documents are in order you should have no problems.
 
medic3 said:
what should I do when I get to the gate at the border?
Thanks
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Do what you'd normally do...
Just answere their questions. They'll certainly ask you what the reason/purpose of your trip is.... Tell 'em.
The Officer will likely ask if you have your Form 6 and may even want to look at it.
I've gone into NY and MI dozens of times in the last few years and it's never been more than a one minute converstaion with the US border officer.
Not once have they "inspected" me and more often than not they don't even ask me to hand over my papers... 'Must have an honest face :D
'Same when comming home... CBSA seems fixated on booze and smokes only.
 
I went to Indiana a few weeks ago for a small-bore match. Three of us in the vehicle. Handed the customs guy our passports and told him we were going to a rifle match. He asked for our "ATF forms" that we had right handy. All of us have several firearms listed and 1000 rounds for each. He asked us if we had all these guns with us and we pointed to the ones we had (one each).
He asked us what distance we were going to be shooting and we told him 50 and 100 yards. Then he proceeded to tell us what a great shot he was and that he shot an apple once at 200 yards with his .270 Winchester. Wow that's great!!! We didn't let on that we usually shoot long range out to 1000 yards:rolleyes:
I have had a harder time getting into the US when I didn't have a firearm:cool:

Coming home Canada Customs asked how long away and the total value of goods purchased. We told him one bottle of booze each and before we could declare our firearms he said to have a nice night.
Kind of makes you wonder how illegal firearms are getting into Canada:eek:
 
When you hand the CBP agent your passport, include - along with the passport - a copy of your ATF Form 6NIA .

The agent will ask about the firearms. You only have to answer.

If your firearms are all import-compliant and your paperwork is all in order - and you act and answer appropriately - you'll be welcomed after only a very short delay.
 
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Yes, lets face it. You have done far more than the avergae traveller to cross the border with guns, you are not a risk in the eye s fo customs.
 
Customs are there to collect taxes. Don't be worry about anything if you have all the paper work. Bring copies just in case.
 
I crossed in less than 30 seconds last year. Handed the Agent my passport, Form 6 and my invitation and away I went with best wishes for the shoot. Coming back, well Canadian Customs didn't have a clue about what to look at or for. Five minutes to explain my ATT and I was on my way.

Take Care

Bob
 
I have crossed into the US (NY) 3 times in the past 3 weeks with handguns. I always use the procedure as described by relliott. Each time we have been sent inside for 'verification' Only once did they actually look at the handguns. The other times they were on the computers checking what ever it is that they check. Still, the whole procedure only takes about 10 minutes. The 3rd time they did tell us that they were sending everyone inside for inspection.
 
Hi,
I keep all my paperwork in a binder so I know it's all there & organized(Form 6, match invite, ATT, registration form).
I've crossed about 6-7 times with my firearm since January. I had a few small issues, only 1 major one, but almost everytime I cross, its smooth. One thing I do want to say, and hate to mention, but I have to.....
Don't expect the border guards to know all your paperwork. It sounds silly, but one time I handed my Form 6, and he said "what's this?". (I was also told upon inspection my firearm didn't have a serial #... :eek:) MY advice is to Know Your Stuff. Asking questions here from people who have done it is great. Answer the border guard's questions simple and short.
Most of all Have Fun.....shooting in the US is awesome. :)
 
doberman said:
Hi,
shooting in the US is awesome. :)
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That sir is an understatement.
I can't count the number of times I've said something like.. "You could never do this at home" when shooting some stages in the US
Here in Ont. over-the-top safety restrictions and "image" hand wringers put a big damper on what's permitted...

Crawling get tougher as you get older... :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWd51qlX0jU


Action with me and my pals at our regular hang out in MI.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX-YLJhH5cY
 
maynard said:
...Coming home Canada Customs asked how long away and the total value of goods purchased. We told him one bottle of booze each and before we could declare our firearms he said to have a nice night.
Kind of makes you wonder how illegal firearms are getting into Canada:eek:
Click to expand...

My best story is when returning to Canada the Customs Officers asked if I had anything to declare I replied " just me and my guns" he laughed and waved me through... I pulled forward slowly in disbelief ...
 
667 said:
That sir is an understatement.
I can't count the number of times I've said something like.. "You could never do this at home" when shooting some stages in the US
Here in Ont. over-the-top safety restrictions and "image" hand wringers put a big damper on what's permitted...


Yeah, I wasn't going to mention that, but its true. They do things differently, sometimes, south of the border ;)

Area 8 was a good match, as was Indiana sectional. Looking forward to a good one for Area 5.
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I was under the impression that the best way was to get a hunting permit and just go with that, even if it's for USPSA.

As some custom officer don't like simple impersonnal invite.


BTW: Firearm or not, never pass the border after a nuclear medical exam... when your not thinking about it, and you see all border patrol looking at each other and then he tell you "You know you are radioactive?" you freak out a bit :D
 
Icefire, becareful with just a hunting licence. That is ok with the BATF but the border folks want an invite or at lest a calender from the club you are attending showing the match
 
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