PRS matches in US, have 6NIA, do you need an invite?

Johnny Boom

Johnny Boom

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As the title says, anyone have experience crossing over with a 6NIA, but without a formal match invitation? MD thinks I'll be OK with match schedule and I am registered on Practiscore.

What say you, fellow competitors?
 
Depends, they asked me for one this year after years of not sending it. Others got away without it. Guess they just liked me. When I cross the border into Washington state they ask for it every time. When I fly to events I often never get asked.
 
Alpheus said:
I've been down 4 times, never asked for one. It is a roll of the dice if they ask, so just get one. Something short with name, location, dates etc with the club/range letterhead.
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My experience is just the opposite... but as you say, just depends on who you meet in blue.

Better to have too much paper, then not enough. Please note, there is a bunch of amendments to this invite/hunting license thing and each crossing has freedom to do whatever they want. I doubt you will get consensus even if you chat with the staff in blue.

Washington seems to be more demanding then other crossings.... sometimes :)

Jerry
 
I've been asked for an invite letter. It's a simple thing for an MD to create. US MDs get off easy creating a few for the Canucks, we have to create them for all of the competitors and staff...
 
I'd say get it to cover your butt. I have gone with a hunting license for the state but I also planned to do a competition...fine many times but got lit up for not having a letter one time. All depends on who you get
 
Washington State also has this irrational pee-its-frilly-pink-panties trip about "ewww icky non-citizens with guns" codified in State law that you need either a range invite (which they conveniently failed to set any defining requirements for) or a WA Alien Firearms License, which they really don't like to issue if they can avoid it. They even tried to apply this to Green Card holders, until a guy named Willington and a few others spanked 'em in court over it...

RCW 9.41.171
Alien possession of firearms—Requirements—Penalty.
It is a class C felony for any person who is not a citizen of the United States to carry or possess any firearm, unless the person: (1) Is a lawful permanent resident; (2) has obtained a valid alien firearm license pursuant to RCW 9.41.173; or (3) meets the requirements of RCW 9.41.175.
-- https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9.41.171
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RCW 9.41.173
Alien possession of firearms—Alien firearm license—Political subdivisions may not modify requirements—Penalty for false statement.
*** CHANGE IN 2019 *** (SEE 5333-S.SL) ***
(1) In order to obtain an alien firearm license, a nonimmigrant alien residing in Washington must apply to the sheriff of the county in which he or she resides.
(2) The sheriff of the county shall within sixty days after the filing of an application of a nonimmigrant alien residing in the state of Washington, issue an alien firearm license to such person to carry or possess a firearm for the purposes of hunting and sport shooting. The license shall be good for two years. The issuing authority shall not refuse to accept completed applications for alien firearm licenses during regular business hours. An application for a license may not be denied, unless the applicant's alien firearm license is in a revoked status, or the applicant:
(a) Is ineligible to possess a firearm under the provisions of RCW 9.41.040 or 9.41.045;
(b) Is subject to a court order or injunction regarding firearms pursuant to RCW 9A.46.080, 10.14.080, 10.99.040, 10.99.045, 26.09.050, 26.09.060, 26.10.040, 26.10.115, * 26.26.130, 26.50.060, 26.50.070, or ** 26.26.590;
(c) Is free on bond or personal recognizance pending trial, appeal, or sentencing for a felony offense; or
(d) Has an outstanding warrant for his or her arrest from any court of competent jurisdiction for a felony or misdemeanor.
No license application shall be granted to a nonimmigrant alien convicted of a felony unless the person has been granted relief from disabilities by the attorney general under 18 U.S.C. Sec. 925(c), or unless RCW 9.41.040 (3) or (4) applies.
(3) The sheriff shall check with the national crime information center, the Washington state patrol electronic database, the health care authority electronic database, and with other agencies or resources as appropriate, to determine whether the applicant is ineligible under RCW 9.41.040 or 9.41.045 to possess a firearm.
(4) The license application shall bear the full name, residential address, telephone number at the option of the applicant, date and place of birth, race, gender, description, a complete set of fingerprints, and signature of the applicant, a copy of the applicant's passport and visa showing the applicant is in the country legally, and a valid Washington hunting license or documentation that the applicant is a member of a sport shooting club.
A signed application for an alien firearm license shall constitute a waiver of confidentiality and written request that the health care authority, mental health institutions, and other health care facilities release information relevant to the applicant's eligibility for an alien firearm license to an inquiring court or law enforcement agency.
The application for an original license shall include a complete set of fingerprints to be forwarded to the Washington state patrol.
The license and application shall contain a warning substantially as follows:
CAUTION: Although state and local laws do not differ, federal law and state law on the possession of firearms differ. If you are prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm, you may be prosecuted in federal court. A state license is not a defense to a federal prosecution.
The license shall contain a description of the major differences between state and federal law and an explanation of the fact that local laws and ordinances on firearms are preempted by state law and must be consistent with state law. The application shall contain questions about the applicant's eligibility under RCW 9.41.040 to possess a firearm. The nonimmigrant alien applicant shall be required to produce a passport and visa as evidence of being in the country legally.
The license may be in triplicate or in a form to be prescribed by the department of licensing. The original thereof shall be delivered to the licensee, the duplicate shall within seven days be sent to the director of licensing and the triplicate shall be preserved for six years, by the authority issuing the license.
The department of licensing shall make available to law enforcement and corrections agencies, in an online format, all information received under this section.
(5) The sheriff has the authority to collect a nonrefundable fee, paid upon application, for the two-year license. The fee shall be fifty dollars plus additional charges imposed by the Washington state patrol and the federal bureau of investigation that are passed on to the applicant. No other state or local branch or unit of government may impose any additional charges on the applicant for the issuance of the license. The fee shall be retained by the sheriff.
(6) Payment shall be by cash, check, or money order at the option of the applicant. Additional methods of payment may be allowed at the option of the sheriff.
(7) A political subdivision of the state shall not modify the requirements of this section, nor may a political subdivision ask the applicant to voluntarily submit any information not required by this section.
(8) A person who knowingly makes a false statement regarding citizenship or identity on an application for an alien firearm license is guilty of false swearing under RCW 9A.72.040. In addition to any other penalty provided for by law, the alien firearm license of a person who knowingly makes a false statement shall be revoked, and the person shall be permanently ineligible for an alien firearm license.
[ 2018 c 201 § 6006; 2017 c 174 § 2; 2009 c 216 § 3.]
-- https://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9.41.173
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RCW 9.41.175
Alien possession of firearms—Possession without license—Conditions.
(1) A nonimmigrant alien, who is not a resident of Washington or a citizen of Canada, may carry or possess any firearm without having first obtained an alien firearm license if the nonimmigrant alien possesses:
(a) A valid passport and visa showing he or she is in the country legally;
(b) If required under federal law, an approved United States department of justice ATF-6 NIA application and permit for temporary importation of firearms and ammunition by nonimmigrant aliens; and
(c)(i) A valid hunting license issued by a state or territory of the United States; or
(ii) An invitation to participate in a trade show or sport shooting event being conducted in this state, another state, or another country that is contiguous with this state.
(2) A citizen of Canada may carry or possess any firearm so long as he or she possesses:
(a) Valid documentation as required for entry into the United States;
(b) If required under federal law, an approved United States department of justice ATF-6 NIA application and permit for temporary importation of firearms and ammunition by nonimmigrant aliens; and
(c)(i) A valid hunting license issued by a state or territory of the United States; or
(ii) An invitation to participate in a trade show or sport shooting event being conducted in this state, another state, or another country that is contiguous with this state.
(3) For purposes of subsections (1) and (2) of this section, the firearms may only be possessed for the purpose of using them in the hunting of game while such persons are in the act of hunting, or while on a hunting trip, or while such persons are competing in a bona fide trap or skeet shoot or any other organized contest where rifles, pistols, or shotguns are used. Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow aliens to hunt or fish in this state without first having obtained a regular hunting or fishing license.
[ 2009 c 216 § 4.]
-- https://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9.41.175
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Trust me as someone who lives here, if the State of Washington thinks it can find a way to screw you over, particularly if you're any kind of Undesirable or Wrongthinker like a gun owner, it will darn sure try. I don't know of any other state in the US that's this anal about this issue except maybe Noo Yuck or Nazi Jersey.
 
I go down at least once a month (from BC to WA) and pretty rarely have a proper invite, I do always print out a copy of the receipt for the match or registration and that's worked every time. I find the guys at the border are quite easy-going as long as you ave your paperwork in order and I've never had a single issue. It's gotten to the point that when I cross now they just say where's the match and how many guns in the truck, haha.
 
rugbydave said:
I go down at least once a month (from BC to WA) and pretty rarely have a proper invite, I do always print out a copy of the receipt for the match or registration and that's worked every time. I find the guys at the border are quite easy-going as long as you ave your paperwork in order and I've never had a single issue. It's gotten to the point that when I cross now they just say where's the match and how many guns in the truck, haha.
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Beware the little old lady.... that is NOT a joke.

Jerry
 
Jerry and Jeff have probably attended more than100 matches,

I have done that myself in 20 years and for the last decade they always ask for invite
rarely ask to see rifle serial numbers anymore they get to know you and your vehicle
 
My shooting partner and I just completed the 2019 Sniper's Hide Cup in Colville, Washington.
We were asked at the U.S. border for match invitations.
That was it.......Officer looked at our paperwork and were sent on our way...........maybe 10 min wait.......
 
Thanks guys.

Ended up getting the match invitations a couple of days before the match. Crossed at Buffalo during a shift change and they managed to misplace our passports and paper work.

I've been inspected at the booth and sent on my way before, in under 5 minutes. This time we were there for an hour. To be fair, they were very apologetic.
 
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