Importing ammunition/firearms.

**pandemic** · April 19th, 2009, 06:09 PM

What is the process to import a firearm from outside the US?

What's the process to import ammo? I'm talking 1000's of rounds. (I'm on a mission to find 7.62x39

)

**knight0334** · April 19th, 2009, 06:12 PM

Either get the the appropriate license from the ATF, or find a company that has one.

Then, the firearm has to be a sporting type firearm to be legal.

**pandemic** · April 19th, 2009, 07:27 PM

So to import large amounts of ammunition, I'd need a license.
To import a sporting rifle I'd still need a license?

Which license would I need?

Just wondering. I'm going to try to find some shooting friends here in Japan. They exist but it might be tough to get into... not to mention the language barrier. I figured it might be a fun challenge to try to become eligible to buy a firearm here :P The ammo question is a bit more realistic.

**d4xycrq** · April 19th, 2009, 08:50 PM

ATF Form 6. I brought loads of firearms back from Germany. No license. Just that form. I shipped them with my household goods.

Ray

Originally Posted by mchaley

So to import large amounts of ammunition, I'd need a license.
To import a sporting rifle I'd still need a license?

Which license would I need?

Just wondering. I'm going to try to find some shooting friends here in Japan. They exist but it might be tough to get into... not to mention the language barrier. I figured it might be a fun challenge to try to become eligible to buy a firearm here :P The ammo question is a bit more realistic.

**Azzy** · April 19th, 2009, 10:11 PM

What if it was determined to be a curio or relic? I have been wanting on of those swiss rimfire mini revolvers for some time, and i bet it could be considered a curio.

**knight0334** · April 20th, 2009, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by Azzy

What if it was determined to be a curio or relic? I have been wanting on of those swiss rimfire mini revolvers for some time, and i bet it could be considered a curio.

The GCA of '68 completely forbids the importation of small firearms like that. In fact, even pocket pistols the size of Kel-tecs, Beretta Tomcat/Bobcat, Taurus knockoff's, etc do not qualify on the point system to be imported.

Any imported handgun has to have a certain barrel length or more, weigh a certain amount, have certain safety features, etc..

II. Firearms Laws
G. Federal Firearms Laws
6. The Points Systems of GCA '68
by Larry Cipriani (lvc@lucent.com)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Factoring Criteria for Weapons

Note: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms reserves the right
to preclude importation of any revolver or pistol which achieves an
apparent qualifying score but does not adhere to the provisions of
section 925(d)(3) of Amended Chapter 44, Title 18, USC.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

PISTOL

Prerequisites

1. The pistol must have a positive manually operated safety device.
2. The combined length and height must not be less than 10" with
the neight (right angle measurement to barrel without magazine
or extension) being at least 4" and the length being at least 6".

Individual Characteristics Point value

Overall Length
For each 1/4" over 6" 1 pt

Frame Construction
Investment case or forged steel 15
Investment case or forged HTS alloy 20

Weapon Weight w/Magazine (unloaded)
Per ounce 1

Caliber
.22 short and .25 auto 0
.22 LR and 7.65mm to .380 auto 3
9mm parabellum and over 10

Safety Features
Locked breech mechanism 5
Loaded Chamber Indicator 5
Grip Safety 3
Magazine Safety 5
Firing Pin Block or Lock 10

Miscellaneous Equipment
External Hammer 2
Double Action 10
Drift Adjustable Target Sight 5
Click Adjustable Target Sight 10
Target Grips 5
Target Trigger 2

Qualifying score is 75 points

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Revolver

Prerequisites

1. Must pass safety test.
2. Must have overall frame (with conventional grips) length (not diagonal)
of 4 1/2" minimum.
3. Must have a barrel length of at least 3"

Individual Characteristics

Barrel Length (Muzzle to Cylinder Face)
Less than 4" 0
For each 1/4" over 4" 1/2

Frame Construction
Investment Cast or Forged Steel 15
Investment Cast or Forged HTS Alloy 20

Weapon Weight (Unloaded)
Per ounce 1

Caliber
.22 short to .25 acp 0
.22 LR and .30 to .38 S&W 3
.38 Special 4
.357 mag and over 5

Miscellaneous Equipment
Adjustable Target Sights 5
(drift or click)

Target Grips 5
Target Hammer and Target Trigger 5

Safety Test

A Double Action Revolver must have a safety feature which automatically
(or in a Single Action Revolver by manual operation) causes the hammer to
retract to a point where the firing pin does not rest upon the primer of
the cartridge. The safety device must withstand the impact of a weight
equal to the weight of the revolver dropping from a distance of 36" in a
line parallel to the barrel upon the rear of the hammer supr, a total of
5 times.

Qualifying score is 45 points.

ATF FORM 4590 (7570.5) (10-77) Edition of 5/74 may be used
--
Larry Cipriani -- l.v.cipriani@att.com

**knight0334** · April 20th, 2009, 08:16 AM

Originally Posted by mchaley

So to import large amounts of ammunition, I'd need a license.
To import a sporting rifle I'd still need a license?

Which license would I need?

Just wondering. I'm going to try to find some shooting friends here in Japan. They exist but it might be tough to get into... not to mention the language barrier. I figured it might be a fun challenge to try to become eligible to buy a firearm here :P The ammo question is a bit more realistic.

Well, that makes things different.. Since they would be personal possessions.

ATF Form 6 like d4xycrq mentioned.

If you're doing it as a business, there is a different procedure. But certain things still cant be imported.