Export (not import) of Weapons from Sweden to the USA

[KjellKod]

I know, I know it sounds crazy doesn't it?

The thing is we're (me+wife+kids) are seriously considering moving from Sweden to the USA. We've stayed here in Scandinavia almost 10 years and I figure it's fair to get the kids to know the US as well since we're a dual-citizen family (except from me, I'm 100% Swede).

So, to get down to my questions.

No 1: Does anyone have any clue what's needed to bring my hunting and practice rifles to the US? I know it's nuts, guns over there are much cheaper than here and so on,. but I figure I've already bought them and if it doesn't cost me a fortune it would be nice to keep and bring them with.

Instances to apply permits from? Any hints here or help would be great. I guess I'll write to the embassy as well but I thought here is a good place to ask.
----

No 2: As a "Sr. Software Engineer / Architect" I think I can find a job pretty easily over there (and immigrant visa is not a problem). But what states are the best for hunting? My dear wife has already vetoed Alaska but most of the northern states I think should be pretty OK. I guess Canada is also not completely out of the question for living and hunting (might be harder on the visa part though)

No 3: I love moose meat. I stuff my freezer full of it every fall and would like to continue to do so. It seems most states in the US use a lottery system which makes only for haphazardly moose hunting opportunities. Is this only for state owned land? Anyone gone over there as a "tourist hunter"? Any recommendations here would be great.

I hope you have some answers, I'm full of questions
Regards
Kjell

[sauercollector]

Hallo! If you are a US citizen you will need to find someone in the US that is willing to import your firearms for you and act as your agent. Imports will have to be done by a federal firearms licensee (FFL license holder) on an ATF form 6 for each firearm. This must be done in triplicate and the folowing must be noted on the form: 1) Swedish seller, example: Widforss. 2) domestic Swedish shipper, example: Schenker. 3) US importer, example BAX Global. 4) final end owner, you! form also will require serial numbers, barrel length, overall length, type of firearm (rifle, handgun, shotgun) Note: Model 98 Mauser rifles with thumb cut outs are NOT approved for import (no exceptions) After the ATF approval you will then need to have the ownership of the firearm transferred to you via form 4473. Please note that there is a federal excise tax that will be levied and must be paid. Also and in some cases, certain states in the US will also collect a Sales or Use tax for he fire arm transfer on form 4473. this use tax is in addition to the federal tax. figure 20% tax on teh retail value of the gun that you decide to import.

If you are not a US citizen you will need to inquire with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) to find out the exact rules (laws) that may apply to your situation. I would expect that fire arm ownership by a non-US citizen is strictly controlled. Hope this helps. Contact me if you have more questions....Jeff Stephens

[P.O.]

First, if your wife is American, it won't be hard for you to get permanent residency which would facilitate buying and owning weapons (and getting a job). When it comes to where to move, there are many options. Hunting opportunities are not always in parity with job opportunities though... I would say, off the top of my head, that you can hunt moose in Maine, NH, Vermont and up state NY, and in Montana/Wyoming/Idaho. A suggestion would be to work and live in Greater Boston (or in the New York metropolitan area) which would allow you to hunt in Maine, NH and Quebec. You drive from Boston to central NH in less than 2 h. Canadian border is 4-5 h away.

Don't know the rules for importing weapons.

http://www.maine.gov/ifw/hunting_trappi ... /index.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Hunting/hunting.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[P.O.]

Or check out Montreal. It's in Quebec so you won't be far from big game hunting. It's a great city and it's rather big so you shouldn't have a problem finding a good job.

[Corjack]

I think that Maine would be more of what your used to hunting wise, and living in Boston might be a choice for work. Folks in Boston are pretty nice, but note that the state of Mass. has some pretty screwed up gun laws, compared to most of the other states. Mass. has always been held hostage by their liberal, socialistic, lawmakers, bent on the destruction of democracy. I would try to find a right to work state to move too. They are the only ones that really have any sort of economy right now. Things may change if we can get rid of the great mistake we have currently serving as president.