I am from Victoria and am interested in shooting in shoots in the States. What are the legal requirements/forms I need to fill out in order to take my shotgun across the border/on the plane. And what about shells, do you buy them in the states or do you take them with you.
Unless you are an American citizen you will need an
ATF Form 6NIA - Application and Permit for Temporary Importation of Firearms and Ammunition by Nonimmigrant Aliens to take firearms or ammunition into the United States. While in the United States, you will need to ensure that you meet the legal requirements for possession of a firearm or ammunition by a
non-immigrant alien in the United States. (While you don't need to buy a hunting license, buying a hunting license will meet this federal requirement and is the easiest way of doing it.)
Step 1: buy a hunting license that will be valid for the entire period that you will be in the U.S. (
Alaska's or any other state's will do.)
Step 2: apply for an
ATF Form 6NIA
Once you have an approved
Form 6NIA (which will be valid for one year), combined with a valid hunting license issued by any U.S. state, you'll be good to go. When you go, if you have them, also take with you any documents from the shooting event, such as a match invitation, your PAL, and copies of your registration certificate(s).
The regulations for flying are found here:
CATSA
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FIREARMS & AMMUNITION
Ammunition
Firearms, real ammunition and cartridges are not permitted in carry-on baggage under any circumstances. Certain items may be transported in checked baggage if properly packaged and approved by the air carrier. All firearms, ammunition and cartridges must be declared to the air carrier during the check-in process. For more details on how to transport these items in your checked baggage, please contact your air carrier. Passengers may also contact the Canada Firearms Centre at 1-800-731-4000 for more information.
Last modified date: January 29, 2010
www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca
WESTJET - Firearms and ammunition
RESTRICTIONS
Air Guns, Pellet Guns
* Air guns in checked baggage must be unloaded
* No CO2 cartridges may be packed
* Guns must be packed in suitable carrying cases
* Must be approved by a WestJet agent
Ammunition
* For sporting purposes only
* For your personal use only (personal allowances cannot be combined)
* Must be packed in secure boxes
* Quantities must not exceed 5 kg (11 lb) gross weight
* NO ammunition with explosive or incendiary projectiles
* Must not be altered
* Approval of WestJet Agent required.
Handguns
* Must be unloaded with amunition packed separately
* Chambers must be empty
* A trigger lock must be in place
* Must be packed in locked, suitable carrying cases
* Approval of WestJet required.
Rifles, Shotguns & Starter Pistols
* Must be unloaded with amunition packed separately
* Chambers must be empty
* A trigger lock must be in place
* Must be packed in locked, suitable carrying cases
* Approval of WestJet required.
http://www.channelgroup.org/wjpassengers/main_search.htm
https://www.westjet.com/guest/en/home.shtml
TSA
Traveling with Special Items
Firearms & Ammunition
You may only transport firearms, ammunition and firearm parts in your checked baggage. Firearms, ammunition and firearm parts are prohibited from carry-on baggage.
There are certain limited exceptions for law enforcement officers who may fly armed by meeting the requirements of Title 49 CFR § 1544.219. Law enforcement officers should read our policies on traveling with guns.
The key regulatory requirements to transporting firearms, firearm parts or ammunition in checked baggage are:
* You must declare all firearms to the airline during the ticket counter check-in process.
* The firearm must be unloaded.
* The firearm must be in a hard-sided container.
* The container must be locked. A locked container is defined as one that completely secures the firearm from access by anyone other than you. Cases that can be pulled open with little effort do not meet this criterion. The pictures provided here illustrate the difference between a properly packaged and an improperly packaged firearm.
* We recommend that you provide the key or combination to the security officer if he or she needs to open the container. You should remain present during screening to take the key back after the container is cleared. If you are not present and the security officer must open the container, we or the airline will make a reasonable attempt to contact you. If we can't contact you, the container will not be placed on the plane. Federal regulations prohibit unlocked gun cases (or cases with broken locks) on aircraft.
* You must securely pack any ammunition in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging that is specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.
* You can't use firearm magazines/clips for packing ammunition unless they completely and securely enclose the ammunition (e.g., by securely covering the exposed portions of the magazine or by securely placing the magazine in a pouch, holder, holster or lanyard).
* You may carry the ammunition in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as you pack it as described above.
* You can't bring black powder or percussion caps used with black-powder type firearms in either your carry-on or checked baggage.
We and other authorities strictly enforce these regulations. Violations can result in criminal prosecution and civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation.
Airlines may have their own additional requirements on the carriage of firearms and the amount of ammunition that you may have in your checked baggage. Therefore, travelers should also contact the airline regarding its firearm and ammunition carriage policies.
Also, please note that many other countries have different laws that address transportation and possession of firearms. If you are traveling internationally, please check with the authorities at your destination about their requirements.
Transportation Security Administration | U.S. Department of Homeland Security
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm
