Travelling with a replica firearm

[moomoosaysdacow]

I'm planning to attend an anime convention in the US around February and am currently looking at bringing an replica Remington MSR with me. I will be flying with Porter airlines and am at a loss about whether it is a good idea to take this with me. Though it is not a real firearm, I'm sure many airline/government officials may mistaken it as the real thing, however, I don't think I can also declare it as a real firearm. I called Porter airlines about it and they said I should be good to go. However, I am also aware of the Canadian replica firearms laws and I'm not too keen to see all my hardwork thrown away. Can anyone shed some light on my situation?

For reference, here is a photo of the MSR I built:


http://imgur.com/OwBKZfx

The prop is made up of wood and plastic.

[Ricochet]

Okay, for starters if it resembles a real firearm with near precision, then you are in possession of a replica. Replicas are prohibited in Canada, that there could land you in hot water. As far as going down to the States, it depends on the specific laws of the state you are entering.

[wind953]

Originally Posted by Ricochet

Replicas are prohibited in Canada

Just prohibited to pass through the border into Canada, not prohibited to own no? Otherwise they can raid games any time they want and everyone will be in trouble.

[grantmac]

Originally Posted by wind953

Just prohibited to pass through the border into Canada, not prohibited to own no? Otherwise they can raid games any time they want and everyone will be in trouble.

If it does not fire any form of projectile then it is a replica and a prohibited device in the same category as a suppressor or standard capacity magazine.

If it fires a .2g BB over 366fps then it is legally a low-powered airgun, which can be possessed and technically pass the border. Whether it needs to spend 6-12 months with the CBSA being tested is questionable.

-Grant

[brock0]

If it's a non-firing or sub 366 FPS "replica" it will be confiscated on the return trip.

Replica firearms are allowed to leave Canada, but will not be allowed to return.

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/f...plique-eng.htm

Overall bad idea I think.

[Latvian291]

BAD idea.

Also going to an Anime convention is a bad idea #justneckbeardthings

[mcguyver]

Originally Posted by Ricochet

Okay, for starters if it resembles a real firearm with near precision, then you are in possession of a replica. Replicas are prohibited in Canada, that there could land you in hot water. As far as going down to the States, it depends on the specific laws of the state you are entering.

Importation into the US is federal, possession is state.

The gun shown above is a replica. It is prohibited on this side of the border, both now and on the return trip.

[Ricochet]

An airsoft gun that mimics a real firearm with near precision, and shoots a projectile capable of causing serious bodily harm is not considered a replica. If it does not cause serious bodily harm it is considered a replica. The CBSA considers this to be 366 FPS with a 0.20g round, that is strictly for importation. It is for legal classification however, otherwise the minute an airsoft gun breaks down it would technically become an illegal replica. So that is the airsoft/airgun classification though for legal use and ownership. However, ANYdevice resembling a real firearm with near precision is a replica for legal terms of firearms legislation and the criminal code, and is considered prohibited in Canada period. That's ownership, transport, making it, import, etc.

States each have their own gun laws, like a 3mm orange tip, etc. But not only will you not be able to bring it back, that may get you arrested. You also may get arrested before going down.

You did a good job of making it, but it looks like you did a little too good of a job. Sorry dude.

[lurkingknight]

the con will let you take a replica firearm in? Are they nuts? most cons these days say no to anything resembling a firearm.

[RainyEyes]

Originally Posted by lurkingknight

the con will let you take a replica firearm in? Are they nuts? most cons these days say no to anything resembling a firearm.

Actually I was at Anime North this year and there was one volunteer who cosplayed as a STAR officer from Resident Evil. He had an M4 with an orange flash, wasn't clearsoft. I was surprised too.

[Jo_Canadian]

Originally Posted by moomoosaysdacow

I'm planning to attend an anime convention in the US around February and am currently looking at bringing an replica Remington MSR with me. I will be flying with Porter airlines and am at a loss about whether it is a good idea to take this with me. Though it is not a real firearm, I'm sure many airline/government officials may mistaken it as the real thing, however, I don't think I can also declare it as a real firearm. I called Porter airlines about it and they said I should be good to go. However, I am also aware of the Canadian replica firearms laws and I'm not too keen to see all my hardwork thrown away. Can anyone shed some light on my situation?

For reference, here is a photo of the MSR I built:


http://imgur.com/OwBKZfx

The prop is made up of wood and plastic.

Most comic/anime/scfi/fantasy conventions have pretty specific rulings on what you can and can't carry.

Really it boils down to the discretion of the weapons master for the convention and the security staff at the facility hosting it.

I work at about 35 of these things a year all over the country and I can tell you this. No two cons have the same weapons policy.

As for traveling with it. As far as the CBSA is concerned that thing is a non-firing replica. I didn't even realize it was hand made until I reread your post. Kudos on the craftsmanship but I wouldn't bring it outside our borders

[lurkingknight]

I doubt he had proper permission.. AN has some strict weapons rules. People sneak shit in all the time, hard to get all the staff and volunteers on the same page when you're dealing with 20k people a day.

I was there one year where 2 retards had water guns and they decided to start a water gun fight in the artist's auction room and destroyed a lot of original artwork.

A no weapons policy is the easiest to enforce. You see it, you escort them off the property.

Originally Posted by RainyEyes

Actually I was at Anime North this year and there was one volunteer who cosplayed as a STAR officer from Resident Evil. He had an M4 with an orange flash, wasn't clearsoft. I was surprised too.

Quoted from the AN policy page:

Costumes, Weapons and Large Props
Anime North has a strict policy about weapons, real or costume, and large props carried as part of costumes. All attendees are required to read and follow the rules if they wish to carry weapons or props at the con. Failure to do so will result in warnings, removal from the convention, and further action where appropriate.

All weapons or large props must be checked and authorized by the Weapons Masters at the Weapons Registration tables at the TCC. Upon approval, the weapon(s) will be bonded and your convention badge marked accordingly.

Live firearms, weapons prohibited by Canadian law, replicas of contemporary firearms, props made of metal and yaoi paddles are all banned at Anime North.

All weapons must be holstered, sheathed, or slung except while posing for photos. All props must be carried safely and under your control.

Horseplay, careless or unsafe use of props, drawing of weapons, or the use of props to threaten persons or disrupt the peace of the convention will not be tolerated and could result in removal from the convention and further legal action.

Operations Services and Con Staff have the right to inspect any prop or weapon on request and take action where necessary.

The complete list of rules is available on the Cosplay Events page under Weapons and Large Props Rules, Regulations, and Liability Limitations or from the Weapons Masters Registration tables at the TCC.

Any modern firearm lookalike, even airsoft would be in violation of the spirit of the rule.

[moomoosaysdacow]

Thank you for all your replies and kind words! I was pretty sure it would not be the case where I was allowed to travel with this, however, I appreciate the confirmation.

[Ricochet]

Nevermind, posted in the wrong thread.

[lurkingknight]

dude, did you even read his post? he's asking about taking a wooden replica over the border and back.

His item would be considered a replica in the eyes of those who are looking at it at the border. Furthermore, most events he wants to take it to would outright not allow it on entry anyways as a costume piece. Anything resembling a modern gun is not admissible as a costume prop at just about every major convention these days.