Taking firearms to USA

[LeftHandGuy]

It's very easy.

Have you got your license and tags already?

If so then you are included in the legislation that allows the possession of firearms (assuming you don't fall into any of the prohibited categories, but since you hold an FAC in the UK you almost certainly don't!).

What you do need to do is make sure is that you don't travel through anywhere where any features of your rifle violate any state laws. So your moderator ("suppressor"/"silencer") is off limits as that is an NFA item for which you need a specific tax stamp.

You're probably fine, but some states have absurdly restrictive laws like New York, which defines a series of features for "assault weapons" which defined my CZ452 as one! (Threaded muzzle + ability to accept 10+ round magazine if anyone is interested). Technically there are laws with a name like "peaceable transit" which do give you an excuse for being in possession of an illegal firearm, if it would be legal in your ultimate destination. But these don't protect you from arrest, detention, etc, or stipulate any compensation. Better just avoid altogether if you can.

It's worth checking what handling and transport rules will apply as well as what the hunting rules are. Mostly these will be common sense things that you probably wouldn't even think about (like not having a loaded firearm in or touching any part of a motor vehicle), but some can be a bit of a surprise, like here in PA, if I decide to go out hunting, and see a deer from my vehicle and decide to stop, and attempt to hunt that deer, that's illegal because I saw it from my car and that is considered "road hunting".

I very much doubt that your 6.5 CM rifle will fall foul of anything, but please do check.

As for ammo, you can pretty much buy 6.5 CM anywhere it's a legal hunting round, including at Walmart and quite often at hardware or general stores in areas where hunting is popular, and probably at 99%+ of gun stores. If you have a mailing address in place you can even buy online and get it delivered.

I realize I wrote quite a lot, but it really is very easy!

 

[Stew1803]

It's very easy.

Have you got your license and tags already?

If so then you are included in the legislation that allows the possession of firearms (assuming you don't fall into any of the prohibited categories, but since you hold an FAC in the UK you almost certainly don't!).

What you do need to do is make sure is that you don't travel through anywhere where any features of your rifle violate any state laws. So your moderator ("suppressor"/"silencer") is off limits as that is an NFA item for which you need a specific tax stamp.

You're probably fine, but some states have absurdly restrictive laws like New York, which defines a series of features for "assault weapons" which defined my CZ452 as one! (Threaded muzzle + ability to accept 10+ round magazine if anyone is interested). Technically there are laws with a name like "peaceable transit" which do give you an excuse for being in possession of an illegal firearm, if it would be legal in your ultimate destination. But these don't protect you from arrest, detention, etc, or stipulate any compensation. Better just avoid altogether if you can.

It's worth checking what handling and transport rules will apply as well as what the hunting rules are. Mostly these will be common sense things that you probably wouldn't even think about (like not having a loaded firearm in or touching any part of a motor vehicle), but some can be a bit of a surprise, like here in PA, if I decide to go out hunting, and see a deer from my vehicle and decide to stop, and attempt to hunt that deer, that's illegal because I saw it from my car and that is considered "road hunting".

I very much doubt that your 6.5 CM rifle will fall foul of anything, but please do check.

As for ammo, you can pretty much buy 6.5 CM anywhere it's a legal hunting round, including at Walmart and quite often at hardware or general stores in areas where hunting is popular, and probably at 99%+ of gun stores. If you have a mailing address in place you can even buy online and get it delivered.

I realize I wrote quite a lot, but it really is very easy!

Thank you for this,

I've done my Hunters ed, have my tags and licenses.

I should be fine traveling with my Tikka t3 and taking a beretta a400 also. I knew about the suppressor and also that I can't take my thermal.

booking flights shortly and will be in contact with them and any internal flight providers to double check.

From my understanding it's all very simple (which makes me concerned I've missed something considering anything with guns is usually a ballache)

 

[LeftHandGuy]

From my understanding it's all very simple (which makes me concerned I've missed something considering anything with guns is usually a ballache)

TBH, you are more likely to find yourself accidentally breaching a hunting regulation than committing an out and out firearms offense, and often these can be pretty subjective.

IDK if you have much experience in the USA, but compared with the UK, you are quite a lot more likely to get pulled over by the police, so you should definitely be prepared for that. If you have any long distance driving to do use cruise control and then at least you won't get stopped for speeding!

Sadly, in all of this the biggest headache is likely to be at the UK airport, and that will more than likely just waiting for some official to turn up and agree that your paperwork does indeed permit you to be travelling with your rifle....

IMHO it is definitely worth taking your own rifle though.

 

[Stew1803]

TBH, you are more likely to find yourself accidentally breaching a hunting regulation than committing an out and out firearms offense, and often these can be pretty subjective.

IDK if you have much experience in the USA, but compared with the UK, you are quite a lot more likely to get pulled over by the police, so you should definitely be prepared for that. If you have any long distance driving to do use cruise control and then at least you won't get stopped for speeding!

Sadly, in all of this the biggest headache is likely to be at the UK airport, and that will more than likely just waiting for some official to turn up and agree that your paperwork does indeed permit you to be travelling with your rifle....

IMHO it is definitely worth taking your own rifle though.

I have very little experience over there, I'll keep the police in mind. can't even remember the last time I saw the police here actually.

 

[devon deer stalker]

I have very little experience over there, I'll keep the police in mind. can't even remember the last time I saw the police here actually.

I was stopped walking along what we would call a B road in Montana, I had just walked out of the timber after having a chance at an Elk, I had chambered a round, but it was snowing and -25°c and the bolt was frozen shut, 2 miles back to the car I thought the quiet road was the best option.
I heard a car coming, it was the sheriff, he pulled up, put his lights on, I thought I'm in trouble here.
He opened his window 'howdy, any luck?' I shouldn't of been surprised, it was after all Montana!
Have a great trip

 

[User00056]

It was 2003, so things must have improved.

I travelled to the US (Atlanta) with my rifle in 2013. ATF temporary import form, hunting license, ESTA, and a separate lockable case for ammunition (in sealed factory boxes). Couldn't have been easier. ATF will want to inspect the rifles once you land, and they can be pretty intimidating if memory serves.

I flew Delta, and had to pay an additional feel for 'special luggage items' at check in on the way back. No mention of it on their website of course Just something to be aware of, I guess?

The worst part was actually trying to get back from Manchester airport to Edinburgh. Incompetent check in staff caused me no end of problems