How Can I Import Already Registered Firearms Now?

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Doglasa

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Brampton, ON
I have two handguns (one is a frame), registered with certificates to me that I don't know how to bring in anymore can any one tell me who is importing?
I called most places including IRG, PR, and various 3rd party shippers but everyone notes that the already stopped importing way before the ban is implemented. I just don't know what to do as I can't drive them across the border since I'm not a registered broker/agent. I did try to PM IRG just now, I am hoping that they reach out in time and are able to solve this problem.

I'm so frustrated that they gave us almost NO time to manage this, not to mention that the guns I registered were submitted in MAY and the RCMP dragged their heels to register them at the last possible minute even after calling them 3 times a week to follow up and just emailed me on a Saturday to tell me I'm "good to go".

The only thing that gives me some solace is that the RCMP agent is friends with someone at GAC and confirmed via email that all guns registered before the ban will be approved for import. However, if no one is importing, how can I complete this transaction?!

If anyone out there feels my pain and knows something that might help, please let me know!

I appreciate any info/help! Stay strong guys.

ADDITIONAL QUESTION: Has anyone successfully drove their purchase over the border. What was the process, which forms did you have and what was your experience. If I ever get this to work, I'm doing a complete "HOW TO" - It's crazy that there isn't a step-by-step for this process, very confusing for the average person to follow.
 
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Handgun ban is meant to be in effect until the registration transfer freeze is enacted. So, one would assume if the registration is already in your name, that after the import band expires at that point it could be brought into the country and put into your possession.
 
Jeffhere said:
Handgun ban is meant to be in effect until the registration transfer freeze is enacted. So, one would assume if the registration is already in your name, that after the import band expires at that point it could be brought into the country and put into your possession.
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Yeah, here's hoping... Unfortunately, until they make an official statement it's up in the air.
 
Doglasa said:
Non US residents (alien) cannot take possession of a firearm. Unless i have US citizenship this would be illegal as far as my research goes.
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This is incorrect, you may own a firearm, and possess it in the U.S. without being a citizen of that country. There are however certain other requirements that must be met. Each state varies somewhat as well.
 
The (alien ) this is a bad term used for illegals term does not apply after you have moved to the US and hold a Permanent Resident Card with a US Residence ( Green Card ) you can buy sell trade after that and i am still a Canadian.
This applies to me in Arizona i have no restrictions, show your State Drivers Lic. pay and you are good to go shooting that day.
 
old-zedar said:
The (alien ) this is a bad term used for illegals term does not apply after you have moved to the US and hold a Permanent Resident Card with a US Residence ( Green Card ) you can buy sell trade after that and i am still a Canadian.
This applies to me in Arizona i have no restrictions, show your State Drivers Lic. pay and you are good to go shooting that day.
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I pulled that term from the global affairs website, the exact text is:

Q3. I want to go to the US and buy a firearm and return with it to Canada.

A3. The US passed new legislation in February 2003 which makes it illegal for a ‘non-resident alien’ to come into possession of a firearm in the US. This does not apply to antiques or muzzle-loading firearms, nor does it apply to Canadians with legal residency in the US or to US citizens, regardless of their residency. A Canadian may purchase a firearm in the US but cannot take possession of it, nor can they export it from the US. The only legal method is to come back to Canada and follow the steps in Question 1 (above).

LINK: https://www.international.gc.ca/con...ms_armes_a_feu/other-autres/faq.aspx?lang=eng
 
Doglasa said:
I pulled that term from the global affairs website, the exact text is:

Q3. I want to go to the US and buy a firearm and return with it to Canada.

A3. The US passed new legislation in February 2003 which makes it illegal for a ‘non-resident alien’ to come into possession of a firearm in the US. This does not apply to antiques or muzzle-loading firearms, nor does it apply to Canadians with legal residency in the US or to US citizens, regardless of their residency. A Canadian may purchase a firearm in the US but cannot take possession of it, nor can they export it from the US. The only legal method is to come back to Canada and follow the steps in Question 1 (above).

LINK: https://www.international.gc.ca/con...ms_armes_a_feu/other-autres/faq.aspx?lang=eng
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There is an exception : if the (legal) non resident alien holds a valid hunting license, they may be allowed to take possession of a handgun or rifle. Better to look directly at the source (US gov website instead of Canadian) :

“ An alien legally in the U.S. is not prohibited from purchasing firearms unless the alien is admitted into the U.S. under a nonimmigrant visa and does not meet one of the exceptions as provided in 18 U.S.C. 922(y)(2), such as possession of a valid hunting license or permit.”

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/may-aliens-legally-united-states-purchase-firearms

You’re not allowed to export it from the US legally according to US law.
 
Doglasa said:
I pulled that term from the global affairs website, the exact text is:

Q3. I want to go to the US and buy a firearm and return with it to Canada.

A3. The US passed new legislation in February 2003 which makes it illegal for a ‘non-resident alien’ to come into possession of a firearm in the US. This does not apply to antiques or muzzle-loading firearms, nor does it apply to Canadians with legal residency in the US or to US citizens, regardless of their residency. A Canadian may purchase a firearm in the US but cannot take possession of it, nor can they export it from the US. The only legal method is to come back to Canada and follow the steps in Question 1 (above).

LINK: https://www.international.gc.ca/con...ms_armes_a_feu/other-autres/faq.aspx?lang=eng
Click to expand...


https://www.atf.gov/firearms/docs/open-letter/all-ffls-dec2011-open-letter-future-amendment-nonimmigrant-alien/download
https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/nonimmigrant-aliens
 
The import ban ends when the new law comes into effect(whenever that is)
They won't permanently ban imports as somebody's gonna need to import something from those who are exempt from the coming ban, like carry permit holders.
Where would the police get their guns
 
If you’re bringing up a US gun and it’s never been registered in Canada, this is exactly the same situation as if you wanted to buy a new gun in the US and want to import it.

You’ll need to get an (DSP5) export licenced ffl to do your permanent export paperwork. If the item is NFA you’ll need ATF form 9 and approval before you can export. You’ll need to do an export check by cbp before you come back.

Canadian side, the gun should have a FRN associated with it. If it doesn’t exist in the FRT, it’ll need to be sent in for determination. You’ll need to get an ATT from the poe to your home.
 
You never read his first post ?
I presume it was bought at gunbroker or some such place.
I think just try to get hold of a importer, mind you , as you already own the guns and they are registered to you,
you could go and pick them up? some one should know, I haven't dealt with this for many yrs.
Try Clay at P. River it you have not talked to him. Looks like you did talk to him, you said the paperwork is already done , on this end?
You told them that?
 
I think you are caught in a very tricky situation.

You cannot just drive it across, because you are not licensed and therefore cannot have export permit for it. That's why FFL and licensed exporter are in place doing business.

Import ban is also not very clear, and I don't think any 3rd party importer will touch it because it is probable your items will end up in no man land and get bounced back, becoming a nightmare for the US exporter to manage.

If your items are still sitting at the FFL somewhere in the US, it maybe better to figure out how to de-register it from yourself and sell them, other than turning it into a potential nightmare. You only have like 3 or 4 working days left, it will not be possible to do anything about it. Instead you should just wait til the ban comes in, and see what definite answer can come out for your situation. You definitely do not want to try something, and risk having these items end up in limbo somewhere in some bonded warehouse.

At least if they are still sitting at the FFL, you can sell them back to the US.
 
The OP started this wrong. He should have the gun imported and then registered by IRG or the importer he would have chosen back then.
Thats the way it worked for all handgun I got imported by IRG.
The first bad move was to buy without passing by the importer and follow the way it should be done.
Having the gun waiting in the US for the Canadian registration was the second bad move.

Now the OP is screwed up. Way out, is to sell the guns in the US and stop trying to fix an unfixable situation.
 
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