When submitting ATF Form 6NIA for approval, submit shoot invitations/registrations to all events you will be attending for the next 12 months.

An approved ATF Form 6NIA will authorize entry to the states with the firearms and ammunition listed on the permit, repeatedly for 12 months, as long invitations/registrations attached to the permit are for future events.

A permit supported with shoot invitations can only be used to enter the states to attend such events.

An approved ATF Form 6NIA with a stateside hunting license (any state), gives unlimited entry for valid reasons, not necessarily hunting.

You must always have a valid license in your possession!

The hunting license submitted with the ATF Form 6NIA application can be from any U.S. state.  It does not have to be from the state that you will be hunting or visiting.

• Non-resident shooting preserve license
  
• Non-resident small game hunting
  
• Non-Resident Non-Game

If not sure of your hunting plans, or attending speciality hunts, and permits are not drawn until a late date, you may want to submit an ATF Form 6NIA with a hunting license from another state, in order to have an approved ATF Form 6NIA in your possession.

• It's recommended you purchase an inexpensive license, if the state your hunting has not yet issued a license for the period you will be visiting.  Of course, you will require a hunting license from that state, at the time of the hunt.

For shooters using the license option for target sports other then hunting, it's recommended you purchase an inexpensive license.

The license does not have to be from the states you will be shooting in!

EXCEPTION!

Target shooters (not hunters) using Washington State Crossings may be required to produce shoot invitations, as Washington state laws seem to be in conflict with federal laws.

When importing Ammunition, as well as Firearms, list on the ATF Form 6NIA.

When Importing ammunition, as many Canadian shooters do, you must take into account all ammunition requirements.

• Be generous on your ammunition allowance and consider practice rounds, bad shells, and shoot off's.
  • If coming into the states to attend three skeet shoots without departing, at a minimum you would require 1,500 shells.

• As the approved ATF Form 6NIA can be used for multiple trips. Include factory ammunition requirements and reloads for the various shoots/hunts you will be attending.
  What is the the number of shells you will be bringing into the states at one time for each discipline; 50 9mm, 200 .22, 1700 shotgun shells?

• Your NOT required to bring all shells listed, when entering the US.

• Ammunition not listed on ATF Form 6NIA, cannot be brought into the states.

ATF WILL NOT issue a ATF Form 6NIA because you belong to an American club, or wish to visit an American club for casual shooting.

The Form 6NIA is for attending an upcoming competitive target shooting event or sports or hunting trade show in the United States sponsored by a national, State, or local organization devoted to the collection, competitive use, or other sporting use of firearms.

Aliens who desire to import firearms or ammunition for other than legitimate hunting or lawful sporting purposes may apply for an import permit by filing an ATF Form 6--Part I.

If not bringing firearms and/or ammunition into the states, but plan on renting or borrowing a firearm, you DO NOT require a ATF Form 6NIA.

Rental of Firearms On-Premises

An alien admitted to the U.S. under a nonimmigrant visa is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition unless he or she falls within one of the following exemptions:

• 1. is in possession of a hunting license or permit lawfully issued by the Federal Government, a State, or local government, or an Indian tribe federally recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which is valid and unexpired. The hunting license does not have to be from the State in which the business premises is located;
• 2. was admitted to the United States for lawful hunting or sporting purposes;
• 3. is an official representative of a foreign government who is accredited to the United States Government or the Government’s mission to an international organization having its headquarters in the United States;
• 4. is an official representative of a foreign government who is en route to or from another country to which that alien is accredited;
• 5. is an official of a foreign government, or a distinguished foreign visitor who has been so designated by the Department of State;
• 6. is a foreign law enforcement officer of a friendly foreign government entering the United States on official law enforcement business; or
• 7. has received a waiver from the Attorney General of the United States.

If VISA not required: Permanent resident aliens, and aliens lawfully admitted to the U.S. without a visa (e.g. Visa Waiver Program) do not fall within the prohibition, and therefore do not need to meet one of the above exemptions to rent a firearm.

Rental of Firearms Off-Premises

A licensee may rent a firearm to any person for temporary use off the premises of the licensee for lawful sporting purposes. This transaction is considered a “transfer” and must meet the following conditions:

• 1. The individual renting the firearm must meet the age requirement of 21 to rent a handgun, and 18 to rent a long gun;
• 2. The individual renting the firearm has a valid identification document;
• 3. An ATF Form 4473 must be completed, and a NICS check must be conducted; and
• 4. The FFL must log the firearm out of the A&D record as a disposition to the transferee.

An alien admitted to the U.S. under a nonimmigrant visa may rent a firearm for use away from the premises provided the above conditions are met, and the alien falls within one of the above listed exemptions, and has a valid identification document. However, under Federal law, a person may not transfer a firearm to an alien in possession of a waiver issued under the provisions of 18 U.S.C. 922(y)(3), unless the alien meets one of the exceptions found in 18 U.S.C. 922(y)(2).

If VISA not required: Permanent resident aliens and aliens lawfully admitted to the U.S. without a visa (e.g. Visa Waiver Program) do not need to fall within one of the above exemptions to rent a firearm off-premises. However, the alien must have a valid identification document. The off-premises rental of an NFA firearm is allowed

First, request to see the supervior on duty and try to resolve the issue.  If that fails and you are denied entry with a firearm; record date, time, border entry location, badge number and/or name of official, and nature of incident.

You are allowed to export all unused ammunition that you brought into the states.  Ammunition must have been listed on your ATF Form 6NIA.

Ammunition purchased, won, or given to you while in the states cannot be taken out of the United States without you first receiving an export permit.  Such a permit may take several months to obtain.

Your firearms must be removed from the states, as you imported them using a temporary import permit.

Q5. I am a nonimmigrant alien temporarily bringing a firearm into the United States for repair.  Should I complete the Form 6NIA?

A. Yes. This is the one other situation (besides a temporarily import for hunting or other lawful sporting purposes) where a nonimmigrant alien should complete the Form 6NIA.

I contacted the Firearms Branch for clarification in regard to firearm repairs, asking a number of related questions, to include modifications. Comments at the end of paragraphs in the response are my own.

This email is in response to your letter to the F&E Imports Branch dated March 2, 2008.
• There is a fine line between the repair of a firearm and the manufacturing of a firearm.  For the most part, gunsmithing is the replacement of parts.  Manufacturing is the addition of firearms parts.  My suggestion would be to call your local ATF office if you need additional clarification.   (I had also asked about modifications to a firearm, not just a repair).

• The person conducting firearm repairs should be licensed by ATF to do so.  They should either be a licensed gunsmith or a licensed manufacturer.  A letter from the gunsmith is sufficient documentation in order to apply for an ATF F6NIA.  (This was in regard to supporting documentation when submitting your ATF Form 6NIA).

• Under an ATF F6NIA, the importation is just temporary and when the owner leaves, they must take the firearm(s) with them.  (You cannot depart the states without the firearm).

• An ATF F6 is not the right vehicle for a temporary importation.  ATF F6’s are only for permanent importations.   (Asked about using the ATF Form 6 to temporarily import for repairs, instead of the ATF Form 6NIA).

• If you wish to temporarily import a firearm, and cannot wait for the repair, your only other avenue is apply for a DSP-5 temporary import through the US State Department.

• The importation of barrels also requires an approved ATF F6.  If you apply for an ATF F6NIA, you would just record the information about the barrel on the form and explain it is for repair.  (I asked about barrel repairs and modifications such as installing chokes.)   You cannot leave the barrel in the states when you depart.  You may have to inquire on choke installation, as that is not a repair.  Selling your barrel in the US requires a ATF F6, not to be confused with the ATF Form 6NIA)

• You cannot leave a repaired firearm in the states when an ATF F6NIA is used.  An ATF F6NIA cannot be used for shipping a firearm. (I asked a direct question on the possiblity of leaving the firearm in the US and shipping)

  I hope that I have answered your questions. If not, please call our main Imports number at (304) 616-4550 and ask to speak to an Imports Specialist.

  Kevin L. Boydston
  Department of Justice
  Bureau of ATF&E
  Chief, F&E Imports Branch
  Martinsburg, WV 25405

Question on this subject should be directed to the ATF - Firearms and Explosives Imports Branch, (304) 616-4550.

If I am transiting the U.S. with a firearm, do I need a permit?

If you are transiting the U.S. by air, you do not need a permit from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), however, you may need a DSP-61 (Temporary Import License) from the Department of State. If you have questions about whether a DSP-61 is needed, you should contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Defense Trade Controls at (202) 663-2714.

If you are transiting by car, except for the below exception, please contact the ATF for guidance.

However, Canadian citizens coming across the border with a firearm with the intent of transiting only to go back into Canada at another port of entry (without stopping and hunting in the U.S.) should declare the firearm and ammunition when you arrive at the U.S. border. Explain that you are transiting the U.S. to get to another Canadian location for a purpose such as hunting.

Long guns for hunting will require a CBP Form 4457 that will be completed at the port of entry when you apply for admission into the U.S. The CBP officer will verify the serial number. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends you have the following documentation:

· Canadian permit for the firearm

· A hunting license (U.S. Any State)

NOTE: See Royal Canadian Mounted Police RCMP web site for changes to the Canadian Firearms Program.

Traveling with handguns requires Form 6 from ATF.

If you are transiting with a firearm and or ammunition and the purpose is not hunting, you will need to obtain the form A 6 from ATF authorizing the entry of the firearm/ammunition into the U.S. Also, if you stop and stay to either hunt or take possession of a firearm in the U.S., you will need to get the Form 6 from ATF. For ATF guidelines visit ATF.gov.

Highly recommend you go to this link and print the page:

1. Fax one copy of the ATF Form 6NIA with:

• One copy of a current U.S. hunting license from any state within the U.S.
  • If you submit a ATF Form 6NIA with hunting license, you don't submit shoot invitations.

  • An application for a hunting license/permit does not qualify for the exception.  A Canadian hunting license/permit also does not qualify.