Senator Murkowski Secures Win for Sportsmen and Gun Owners
Works with DHS to Solve Long Standing Issue on Firearms Declaration Form
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today announced that following her advocacy on behalf of Alaska’s sportsmen, the Department of Homeland Security updated the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Form 4457, Certificate of Registration for Personal Effects Taken Abroad. Form 4457 is required for U.S. sportsmen and gun owners to travel abroad with firearms.
Previously, the CBP was providing Americans with expired forms which complicated travelers’ arrival into foreign countries. After discussions between Senator Murkowski and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, CBP updated the form and eliminated the expiration date. This brings a multi-year effort led by Senator Murkowski and the Safari Club International to a positive conclusion and will ensure that lawful gun owners are not subjected to unnecessary complications when traveling internationally with firearms.
“The logistics of travel can be stressful enough without onerous, flawed processes to further complicate the experience. Law abiding gun owners shouldn’t have to endure needless obstacles when traveling internationally with firearms, whether that’s crossing the border into Canada or going abroad,” said Senator Murkowski. “I am glad that Secretary Mayorkas listened to me and other Alaskans to cut through bureaucratic red tape and find a permanent, common-sense solution to this issue.”
“Since its inception, the internal, government expiration date on the CBP Form 4457 has caused undue headaches for U.S hunters travelling abroad. Thank you, Senator Murkowski, for your efforts to finally resolve this issue. With the international hunting season in full swing, hunters can focus on their legal pursuit rather than an irrelevant date,” said Ben Cassidy, Executive Vice President of International Government & Public Affairs, Safari Club International.
“This is great news for both hunters across the nation and everyday Alaskans crossing the Canadian border with firearms,” said John Sturgeon, Safari Club Alaska President. “We appreciate Senator Murkowski’s steadfast partnership and tenacious advocacy for sportsmen and her willingness to work with anyone to cut through bureaucratic red tape to find common sense solutions that get the job done for our members.”
