Fabian23

Question for the gun-nuts on here (go on show yourselves).

My wife and I have a large collection of firearms that I know are ALL classed as "antiques" in the US, i.e. not even considered a firearm (most of them imported from the US over the years) which would get shipped in the container with the household goods.

We do however have a few slightly more modern guns that we cherish either for their rarity or for sentimental reasons, that are classed as conventional firearms in the US. If at all possible we would rather like to bring them with us should we make the big leap across the altantic.

Any good source of info about or personal experiences? Contact the NRA perhaps?

immichaelcaine

try dis;

www.gunbroker.com/User/ImportExport.aspx

i did its from uk 2 canada 2 new york state - wuz bit complicated

anotherlimey

You could try an import broker (freight company) or the BATF's website, they might even have a contact number you can call. Get everything in writing - it's your responsibility to make sure all the paperwork is done correctly and if it's not Customs will have a field day and you'll never see those guns again.

Duncan Roberts

The first thing I would do would be to check the state, county and city laws for the state(s), county(s) and city(s) you may move to and make sure you are legally allowed to own guns there. It would make the rest of the info gathering very simple if you weren't able to own guns where you plan to go.

sir_eccles

Be aware that laws with regard to guns vary from state to state.

I am reminded of a recent thread about a guy transporting guns while moving house and the problems he got into:

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=693771

Jerseygirl

There was someone who posted on here a couple of years ago...I think it was his BIL who was arrested at the airport in NYC for carrying a firearm in his checked luggage and not having a NYC permit. He was visiting NYC from another state. If I remember correctly he was looking at a few years in the big house.

Fabian23

Looks like the easiest, and safest, method is to export them ahead of time to a dealer in the US who can store them for me. I shall look into it further.

Bill_S

IIRC an FFL (Federal Firearms License holder) will have to do the importation, but first will need to get a Form 6 approved from the BATFE. Some info here.

And Fabian, absolutely, positively GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING. Good luck.

Fabian23

Everything in writing in what way?

anotherlimey

If you ask the BATF for advice, get it via email/letter, in case you need to prove anything later on.

anotherlimey

It will be the brokers job to deal with Customs, that would be my initial concern; although the FFL holder might have someone (or a company) they use, particularly if they regularly import. But how would you find an FFL who regularly imports firearms?

Bill_S

AIM and SOG do it as businesses, but I don't know if they would do a single import for one customer. I think this is going to be a lot of trouble for the OP. Maybe BATFE "import points" are going to come into play as well.

Fabian23

Looks like it is time to call in some favours froom my contacts stateside....

DeltaSierra70

Most important is which State it is you will be in. I doubt you have any handguns as they were banned in the UK a long time ago, so, long guns and shot guns shouldn't present any problems.
When the handgun seizing was going on, I bought a number of them from friends who didn't want them destroyed. One friend took a S&W Model 27 to his local Post Office and mailed it to me. 5 days later it was in my mail box outside my house! That of course was before the silly Brady Bill messed up a lot of places, but Georgia never adapted that Bill.

Nutmegger

There was nothing silly about the Brady Bill. In fact, sensible would be a better description.