r/canadaguns • u/Dexcessive • 12d ago

Misc Legality of importing deactivated firearms?

Like the title says. I’m a huge nerd for old and weird guns that came from the 20th century and would love to have some to display on my wall. I’ve found a few both in the states and overseas, I was wondering if anyone had attempted to import any of them?

I know the UK for example is super strict on guns so deacts have to be done to a spec, so would a letter from their government satisfy the RCMP/CBSA?

If anyone does have experience with this, please dm me.

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15

u/goodfleance 12d ago

They'd have to be deactivated to RCMP standards, regardless of their country's standards. The RCMP issues a certificate of deactivation so you might need to have it looked at by an approved examiner to get that paperwork.

As for importing, I'm not sure if a fully deactivated gun can be simply shipped across or if there's border paperwork on top. I Run Guns can probably answer all these questions for you, I'd give them a look.

3

u/AdeptArt 12d ago

IIRC it doesn’t matter if the gun is deactivated the gun itself had to be admissible deactivated or not.

3

u/Dexcessive 12d ago

If that’s so that’s so dumb, it’s a metal paperweight ffs

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u/AdeptArt 12d ago

it’s canada, first time lol? 

1

u/izza123 12d ago

I’ll play devils advocate, I’ve been watching a guy weld grease gun receivers back together from literal chopped up scrap. Anybody who can weld can reactivate a firearm.

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u/Parking_Media 12d ago

Anyone who can weld can make a firearm.

For reference, see Britain in WW2, Australia in WW2, Germany at the very end of WW2.... Etc.

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u/izza123 12d ago

Sure but it’s a whole lot easier to make a machine gun when you start with a deactivated machine gun

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u/AdeptArt 12d ago

not really. only if you have all the parts of a deactivated machine gun.

What are you going to do with half a bolt and the barrel plugged with a material harder than the barrel itself?

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u/goodfleance 12d ago

Ah that wouldn't surprise me

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u/Dexcessive 12d ago

I’ll send IRG and email after the long weekend and see if I can get some definitive yay/nays

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u/StandUpForYourWights Axis Infantry Weapons 12d ago

The firearm must be admissible into Canada without consideration of the deactivation that has occurred. This means that the vast majority of dewats will not be permitted for import. After the firearm is accepted for import then it will be inspected to determine its function and if it meets the current standard for demilling it will be classified as a non gun. Effectively unless it’s a bolt action long gun you won’t be able to import it.

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u/Content_Sky_2676 12d ago

You could look at whether a gunsmith in the source country will follow RCMP guidelines for deactivation and sign off on it before sending. Keep in mind that anything but shipping USA to Canada can get really expensive.

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u/DifficultReference99 12d ago

Lol those drill purpose lee enfields a few years back had a hole driled thtough the chamber and a 1/4" steel rod inserted and welded in place and it still didn't meet the criteria lol