So here's an uncommon scenario and I would appreciate any information or experience that anyone might have on the subject.
Short Version:
What are the laws with regards to a handgun (family heirloom) in Canada being either shipped or carried to the USA, from a Canadian citizen to be given to a related American citizen, never to return to Canada? I don't wish to pay any fees, duty, taxes, penalties, and of course, I don't wish to break any Canadian or American laws in the process. The handgun is most likely restricted in Canada in the first place, and I'm quite certain that it's not currently registered in any way, shape or form. I don't wish for my uncle to be jailed or fine for having it in the first place.
Long Version:
My grandfather passed away a year before I was born, '71. He was a former federal policeman in a European country before and around WWII. The family fled to Canada and his issued Walther pistol made the trip with him. It's still in Canada to this day.
I'm not entirely familiar with Canadian gun laws but I do know that some handguns are restricted, and one of the criteria is certain short barrel lengths. I've never seen this pistol and I don't know which Walther it is (and to be honest, I can't 100% confirm that it is indeed a Walther) but I have confidence that it's a .25 acp caliber pistol which would most likely make it quite small and short barreled. I have zero idea of it's condition or value, I only know that it has a colorful family history and it's well-traveled.
My uncle has had this pistol in his possession for at least the last 30 years. He's had it taken down in to pieces and wrapped in cloths. I can only imagine the reason for this is because he's otherwise not a gun owner/shooter and he's done this in hopes that he's not breaking any laws or that perhaps he's breaking less laws by having it in this condition. He's never shot it or taken it anywhere other than the one or two times he's moved residences when it's been packed up amongst things.
I'm the gun guy in the family and there exists the possibility that he might be interested in giving the pistol to me so that it stays in the family and yet also doesn't create any trouble for him with regards to Canadian gun laws.
One very large hurdle that I have is the colossal rift in the family (just short of a full-on feud) that exists between the generation following my Grandfather and preceding myself. My uncle doesn't have a beef with me, it's all pretty much contained in his generation and while it's healed up a bit recently, it's not pretty.
Obviously the suggestions will be to contact both Canadian and USA border guard and customs, etc etc but I think it's quite obvious why my first inclination is to ask the good folks of the forum if they have any experience with Canadian handgun ownership laws and also with guns crossing the border to change hands.
Anything you have would be helpful... or at least interesting to hear!
Short Version:
What are the laws with regards to a handgun (family heirloom) in Canada being either shipped or carried to the USA, from a Canadian citizen to be given to a related American citizen, never to return to Canada? I don't wish to pay any fees, duty, taxes, penalties, and of course, I don't wish to break any Canadian or American laws in the process. The handgun is most likely restricted in Canada in the first place, and I'm quite certain that it's not currently registered in any way, shape or form. I don't wish for my uncle to be jailed or fine for having it in the first place.
Long Version:
My grandfather passed away a year before I was born, '71. He was a former federal policeman in a European country before and around WWII. The family fled to Canada and his issued Walther pistol made the trip with him. It's still in Canada to this day.
I'm not entirely familiar with Canadian gun laws but I do know that some handguns are restricted, and one of the criteria is certain short barrel lengths. I've never seen this pistol and I don't know which Walther it is (and to be honest, I can't 100% confirm that it is indeed a Walther) but I have confidence that it's a .25 acp caliber pistol which would most likely make it quite small and short barreled. I have zero idea of it's condition or value, I only know that it has a colorful family history and it's well-traveled.
My uncle has had this pistol in his possession for at least the last 30 years. He's had it taken down in to pieces and wrapped in cloths. I can only imagine the reason for this is because he's otherwise not a gun owner/shooter and he's done this in hopes that he's not breaking any laws or that perhaps he's breaking less laws by having it in this condition. He's never shot it or taken it anywhere other than the one or two times he's moved residences when it's been packed up amongst things.
I'm the gun guy in the family and there exists the possibility that he might be interested in giving the pistol to me so that it stays in the family and yet also doesn't create any trouble for him with regards to Canadian gun laws.
One very large hurdle that I have is the colossal rift in the family (just short of a full-on feud) that exists between the generation following my Grandfather and preceding myself. My uncle doesn't have a beef with me, it's all pretty much contained in his generation and while it's healed up a bit recently, it's not pretty.
Obviously the suggestions will be to contact both Canadian and USA border guard and customs, etc etc but I think it's quite obvious why my first inclination is to ask the good folks of the forum if they have any experience with Canadian handgun ownership laws and also with guns crossing the border to change hands.
Anything you have would be helpful... or at least interesting to hear!
Some might call it smuggling? We ought to start a poll and find out how many people wouldn't call it smuggling! I think you may have detailed a textbook line by line definition of smuggling.