How does one legally purchase a firearm

3

300magman

New member
Can someone please explain to me the process for purchasing a new or used rifle/shotgun?
Are person to person sales of used firearms legal?

I live just across the border in Canada, where things are simple; it used to be as easy as the cash & firearm trading hands, and you were done.
Now there is one extra step where you have to call a 1-800 # and register the transfer of ownership under the two parties license numbers … but that’s still very simple and quick.

However, everything I see south of the border involves a request for an FFL. I have enquired with the national police (RCMP), and Border Services, and the National Firearms Registry. ALL three tell me the same thing; I can import a firearm from the US as simply as driving up to the border, filling out a simple form, and taking the firearm home.
(I have actually seen people registering firearms they bought in the US, while I have been at the border import services office myself for other reasons; though I never had a chance to talk to any of them to ask where they had bought the firearm)

The thing is, when I attempt to purchase a firearm, everyone in the US keeps asking for my FFL’s information….Is this some requirement to sell a rifle/shotgun? … Even for the sale of a used firearm, in a person to person private sale?
 
Based on some googling it looks like a FFL has to do some paperwork to allow a gun to move from the US to Canada. So presumably even if you did a face to face purchase in the US you'd need to visit a FFL to do the necessary paperwork as well as seeing the Canadian authorities when you cross the border.

I'd try to find a gun store near the border on the US side and call them. I'm sure they'll be familiar with the process.
 
There are certain FFLs that specialize in international transfers. You can contact one of them.

I also, live near the border (in WA), and am a Canadian and US citizen, with all my relatives living north of the border.

In WA the easiest way is to get your RCMP paperwork done, go to the dealer, the dealer takes the weapon to the border, you take your paperwork from the RCMP, pick the weapon up (assuming it is not "prohibited" in Canada) and go home...at least that is what my BIL does.

If you are planning to stay in the state (WA) and say go hunting or whatever, there is a bit different procedure, but both work. WA has special rules for Canadians..Other states may differ. (Especially NY)

A legal visitor can own and posess a firearm under federal law in the US, so state law is your biggest concern, exporting that firearm also is covered in Federal law..the reason for needing an FFL.
 
Please keep in mind that anything that is military armament related has its own set of US Gov rules, prior to export, covered by something called ITAR (International Trade in Arms Regulations). So the rifle may be fine to move across the border as described above, but the Aimpoint or EOTech sight that is mounted on it, well gee, it is the same as the ones used by some of the US troops. And can't legally be exported without an Export Declaration. Ditto if the rifle is too "military". Maybe for any gun since I don't know where the "arms" definition starts and stops.

No, I don't know who you go to for help on this. Probably an attorney that specializes in it. In my case I just go to my employer's dedicated Export Compliance office. No, not for guns! Just to get my job done I have to know and comply with all those rules.

So be careful there.

Bart Noir
 
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