The short answer is YES! In the United States, it is absolutely legal to purchase and sell any type of Night Vision equipment and to posses and utilize this amazing technology. The only caveat to this is in circumstances for hunting. And as you may expect, the law differs from state to state on varying aspects of night hunting.
As I live in Florida where laws are less accommodating for night hunting, I travel to Georgia and North Carolina with friends to take advantage of more yielding elements.
If you want to research hunting laws for your state, I find the list at: http://www.hightechredneckincorporated.com/articles.asp?ID=261 is the best source for information.
Is Exporting Night Vision Legal?
Here the quick answer is [some types,] NO! The export of U.S. manufactured night vision equipment is strictly prohibited without a valid export license issued by the U.S. Department of State Office of Defense Trade Controls, and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce. (In accordance with International Traffic in Arms (ITAR), Title 22, Code of Federal Regulations Part 120-130.)
For further information visit the website: http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/regulations_laws/itar.html
The regulations state,”…second and third generation image intensification tubes…” and go on to define specific features of microchannel plates and compounds found in most of these devices.
Interestingly not all devices fall into this classification. Digital, generation 1 and some generation 2 devices are different to the specifics and admissible for export. Now that may be another matter for the country you plan to import into. Here again laws differ.
Not that I’m advocating setting up “shop”, but if you inadvertently forget you have your favorite night-time tool packed in your grab-bag as I do, you don’t have to worry when the border patrol officer asks, “Anything to declare?”
