Traveling to Canada with a Handgun

klindww · May 6, 2023

My wife and I will be starting our east coast roadtrip within the next month or so. We always travel with a couple of different handguns in our motorhome. We would like to cross the border into Canada but am not sure that taking our firearms across the border might be worth the hassle. Has anyone taken handguns into Canada lately? Would love to hear any suggestions or experiances.

Kirk W · May 6, 2023

1 hour ago, klindww said:

Has anyone taken handguns into Canada lately?

Handguns are totally forbidden in Canada. Long guns are only allowed if you do proper permiting before you go.

agesilaus · May 6, 2023

Yeah, don't do it. When we crossed in Alberta the border agent knew I had a CCP and questioned me about weapons. I suggest finding a gun store near where you are crossing and get them to store the handgun, at a price I'm sure. Until you return. That locks you into entering and returning in the same area.

I watched a videopod this morning by a couple traveling to Newfoundland. They think that some neer do wells tried to hijack them in Quebec, the stores had bars on the windows and it felt more like San Francisco than what the expected..

Gas was $8-10/gal too everywhere they stopped up there. That felt like Cali too.

Edited May 6, 2023 by agesilaus

LindaH · May 7, 2023

Here's the Canadian website for importing firearms or weapons into Canada:

Import and export a firearm or weapon into Canada. (cbsa-asfc.gc.ca)

rickeieio · May 7, 2023

Many gun shops will ship/store a gun for you. Find one where you intend to enter Canada, and ship to where you'll return to USA. It'll cost a few bucks, but prevents a lot of unpleasantries.

When we entered CA on the way to Alaska, I was grilled in depth about owning guns, where they were stored, if under lock and key, if we felt safe without our guns, etc. I finally told the offending agent that my guns are all back home, safe and sound, and if she wanted to search the camper, have at it. Otherwise, let me proceed.

Tulecreeper · May 7, 2023

Pretty sure handguns are a no-no now up there. I've been back and forth several times on hunting trips and always crossed at the same place - one of those relatively remote stations where the agent was more than likely going hunting after work - and we never had a problem. Matter of fact, I don't recall them even coming out to check our stuff. They just asked, "No more than 200 rounds of ammunition per person, right? No more than one bottle of liquor or one case of beer per person, right? OK, have a good time, eh." All while sitting in the office with their feet on the desk, reading a magazine.

klindww · May 7, 2023

Thanks for all of the feedback. I had actually thought about checking into have one of the gun stores in Maine store the guns for us. We would be coming back through Maine anyway. Good to know that some have actually done this before. This was my first post on this forum, thanks for making it a postive one. You never know what you might stir up when asking about the carrying of a handgun.

Ray,IN · May 10, 2023

klindww, that is a good time to have your handguns cleaned and inspected too.

The entire Canada firearms act was revised effective Oct. 21, 2022, which in reality makes it impossible to legally enter Canada with a firearm unless you are a member of a recognized team sporting event for shooting, and then only for the specified event dates.

This is the official position of the U.S.A. state dept. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/traveling-abroad-with-firearms.html

Kirk W · May 10, 2023

On 5/7/2023 at 1:58 PM, klindww said:

This was my first post on this forum, thanks for making it a postive one.

It is important to also be aware of the legal issues traveling around inside of the US as well. If you don't have a copy, I recommend that you get a current copy of The Traveler's Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States and spend some time with it. While you really don't need to be fearful of traveling with guns, it is wise to keep informed about the laws where you happen to be. And on the same subject, Mexico also forbids the carrying of firearms.

agesilaus · May 10, 2023

Especially when traveling in gun hostile areas like the NE and other blue states. Over half the country has constitutional carry and are gun friendly territory, most of the South and Mountain States are safe.

Map

The laws are changing rapidly tho and no paper book could keep up. Three or four more states went to unrestricted carry this year so far.

Randyretired · May 10, 2023

2 hours ago, agesilaus said:

Especially when traveling in gun hostile areas like the NE and other blue states. Over half the country has constitutional carry and are gun friendly territory, most of the South and Mountain States are safe.

Map

The laws are changing rapidly tho and no paper book could keep up. Three or four more states went to unrestricted carry this year so far.

It is tough to keep up with the laws in each state. While some are allowing constitution carry others like Colorado are enacting more restrictive laws. Some counties are also enacting laws in the county that are more restrictive than state laws. Gun laws are rapidly changing.

agesilaus · May 10, 2023

5 hours ago, Randyretired said:

t is tough to keep up with the laws in each state. While some are allowing constitution carry others like Colorado are enacting more restrictive laws. Some counties are also enacting laws in the county that are more restrictive than state laws. Gun laws are rapidly changing.

Most of those unconstitutional laws get struck down by the courts. But you are always best to assume the worse when in those states/