quick question... help me resolve a disagreement...

[maya62 7]

And does anyone have a link to more information about this subject?

Thanks!

Maya

[maya62 7]

Nevermind.... I found the answer in the USCIS's Welcome to America booklet.

The answer is that they can, provided there are no state restrictions saying they can't.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/M-618.pdf (page 8)

Maya

[Dr_LHA 3]

In my county, all you need is proof of residence of PA, which can basically be a drivers license. There's nothing about proving your citizenship.

[slim 1,533]

A quick trip over to the ATF website shows that PRs can own guns. However, nonimmigrant aliens cannot.

I read one of the open letters concerning this, you can view it here:

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/rules/061600fflltr.htm

I guess what it boils down to is that if you are legally authorized to stay here permanently, then you can own a gun.

[peejay 327]

Here is the link to US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF):

http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/faq/index.htm

Look under:

B. UNLICENSED PERSONS

Click on:

Firearm purchases by legal aliens

_________________________________________________________________________

Here is the text:

(B13) May aliens legally in the United States buy firearms?

An alien legally in the U.S. may acquire firearms if he has a State of residence. An alien has a State of residence only if he is residing in that State and has resided in a State continuously for at least 90 days prior to the purchase. An alien acquiring firearms from a licensee is required to prove both his identity, by presenting a government-issued photo identification, and his residency with substantiating documentation showing that he has resided in the State continuously for the 90-day period prior to the purchase. Examples of qualifying documentation to prove residency include: utility bills, lease agreements, credit card statements, and pay stubs from the purchaser’s place of employment, if such documents include residential addresses.

See also Item 5, “Sales to Aliens in the United States,” in the General Information section of this publication.

[18 U.S.C. 921, 922(b )(3), (d) and (g), 27 CFR 478.11 and 478.99(a)]

[Dr_LHA 3]

Yes, you don't have to be a LPR to get a firearms license in my experience. I know people here on J-1 and H-1B who have legally owned firearms.

[peejay 327]

In my county, all you need is proof of residence of PA, which can basically be a drivers license. There's nothing about proving your citizenship.

Selling guns to illegal aliens and non-immigrant aliens is against Federal law whether they have a driver's license or not. Federal law trumps State law.

[maya62 7]

Thanks guys!!

Maya

[peejay 327]

Yes, you don't have to be a LPR to get a firearms license in my experience. I know people here on J-1 and H-1B who have legally owned firearms.

(R1) May nonimmigrant aliens legally in the United States purchase or possess firearms and ammunition while in the United States?

Nonimmigrant aliens generally are prohibited from possessing or receiving (purchasing) firearms and ammunition in the United States.

There are exceptions to this general prohibition. The exceptions are as follows:

1.nonimmigrant aliens who possess a valid (unexpired) hunting license or permit lawfully issued by a State in the United States;

2.nonimmigrant aliens entering the United States to participate in a competitive target shooting event or to display firearms at a sports or hunting trade show sponsored by a national, State, or local firearms trade organization devoted to the collection, competitive use or other sporting use of firearms;

3.certain diplomats, if the firearms are for official duties;

4.officials of foreign governments, if the firearms are for official duties, or distinguished foreign visitors so designated by the U.S. State Department;

5.foreign law enforcement officers of friendly foreign governments entering the United States on official law enforcement business; and

6.persons who have received a waiver from the prohibition from the U.S. Attorney General.

Significantly, even if a nonimmigrant alien falls within one of these exceptions, the nonimmigrant alien CANNOT purchase a firearm from a Federal firearms licensee (FFL) unless he or she (1) has an alien number or admission number from the Department of Homeland Security (formerly the Immigration and Naturalization Service) AND (2) can provide the FFL with documentation showing that he or she has resided in a State within the United States for 90 consecutive days immediately prior to the firearms transaction.

[18 U.S.C. 922(g)(5)( B ) and 922(y), 27 CFR 478.124, ATF Rul. 2004-1]

Edited April 19, 2007 by peejay

[meauxna 15]

Maya,

Whatcha guys getting? :eek:

[almaty 19]

Thanks guys!!

Maya

going to start packing sister?

[maya62 7]

Maya,

Whatcha guys getting? :eek:

Thanks guys!!

Maya

going to start packing sister?

NO! We are not getting a gun. I live in the same rural community as the young woman who was one of the two people killed first in the dorm at VA Tech. There has been some discussion here in our community about with the fact that the VA Tech gunman was an LPR, and people were debating whether or not LPR were allowed to own guns, or whether or not they should be allowed to own guns.

I actually did have a shotgun once upon a time. I got it one spring after two events: I hit a rabbit with my truck and mangled it but did not kill it, and wished I had a gun to quickly end it's misery (I did, with a soil auger, which was fast and merciful, I think, but a gun would've been better). And a few weeks later, my neighbor hit a deer just up the road and broke it's back but it didn't die. One guy stopped who had a rifle, but wouldn't discharge it next to the state road for fear of getting in trouble, so we and the deer had to wait about 40 minutes for a deputy to come and give this guy permission to shoot the deer. I vowed I would get a gun and use it in that situation, regardless of the law. So I got a shotgun. But in preparation for my husband & stepson's arrival, I gave the gun away to a friend. I do not like the idea of having a gun when there are children in the house. I didn't have it for personal protection (imho, that is my dog's job... he'll be a better deterrent than a gun, and infinitely more lovable and kid-safe).

So that's my story and I'm stickin to it!

Maya

[slim 1,533]

Responsible gun-ownership if I've ever heard of it.

I don't agree with everything you've said in your post, but I applaud you for doing what you thought was right, and not saying that everyone else should also do that.