Non-US Residents Importing Firearms

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Non-U.S. residents bringing firearms into the United States/Montana as of November, 2005 Insofar as Montana is concerned, federal law controls this issue. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives regulates what they call the "importation" of firearms. Q&A information about this from the BATFE is available at: http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#a15 In a phone discussion with the BATFE, they say that a foreigner wishing to bring a firearm into the U.S. will need to fill out a "Form 6", found at: http://www.atf.gov/forms/pdfs/f53303a.pdf Any Form 6 importation will need to be supported with a letter giving evidence of a "legitimate" purpose for importing a firearm (generally hunting or competitive shooting - a Montana hunting license with an expressed intent to hunt here, or a documented intent to enter one or more scheduled shooting matches in Montana). There are directions on the form, and an address, for how to submit. It is said that processing these forms can take as much as three months, but usually is done more quickly. It is possible to purchase a Montana hunting license from the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks http://fwp.state.mt.us/default.html online. Most of the non-resident (not Montana resident) licenses for large game are awarded through a drawing/lottery process. The species for which a non-Montana resident may purchase a hunting license, without relying/waiting on the drawing process, include: bear, mountain lion, turkey, upland game bird, and waterfowl (but for hunting only during those portions of the year when the seasons are open for each of these animals). However, there are also "nongame species" in Montana which one may hunt without a license any time of the year, such as coyotes. If hunting is to be done on private land, the Form 6 application should be supported with a letter from the landowner, but a lot of hunting in Montana is done on public land. It is said that the BATFE does not consider personal protection as a sufficient reason to approve the importation of a firearm. The season for competitive shooting in Montana runs from March to October. Local gun clubs that schedule and host shooting matches often have Internet Websites that offer match schedules. Some people report that the BATFE is willing to accept a copy of a match advertisement flyer or booklet as sufficient to support a Form 6 importation request. A letter from a local club confirming match registration may be more acceptable. Finally, friends from Canada who shoot matches in Montana report that it is important for a visitor to Montana from another country make sure they have their permits and paperwork in order to be able to return their firearm to their country of origin when they go home. Any foreigner needing further information specific to federal laws and rules applicable to Montana may call BATFE Inspector Kirk Nelson in Helena, Montana at 406-441-1107.