Can tourists get firearm licence to purchase arms?

D

DaveBradley

Inactive
Tousist can register with local authorities in some countries and then purchase fireams to take back to their own countries. I am aware that this is possible in South Africa and New Zealand.

Being a foreigner, can anyone tell me if this is possible in the US?

I travel to the US regularly (at least every second month or so), and prices of rifles are on average one half the price of the same rifle in my home country. I'm currently here, and the few gun shops that I have been into here in CA have no idea.

Can anyone help with information?
 
Lookin' in the 2000 edition of the Fed Firearms Reg Ref Guide (The Green Book), page 136 item (B14)...
May foreign visitors and other aliens legally in the US buy firearms?
An alien legally in the US who has been admitted into the country under nonimmigrant visa is generally prohibited from receiving or possessing firearms and a licensee (a person with a valid FFL & all the state creds), may NOT lawfully transfer firearms to such alien. In addition, a foreign visitor is not a resident of a State and, therefore, may NOT purchase AND take delivery of a firearm in the US. A foreign visitor may purchase a firearm and have it exported by a licensee. The licensee must obtain an export license from the State Department for this type of transaction.
It goes on to explain residency requirements (90 days continuous), and that you have to be able to prove it (lease agreements, utility bills,...).
So I guess the answer is no.
 
jrhines,

Thanks for the info.

One additional question relating to the quoted section below - does the gun shop in question arrange for this export licence, or is it something that the purchaser has to arrange themselves?

Appreciate your response.
Dave

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>A foreign visitor may purchase a firearm and have it exported by a licensee. The licensee must obtain an export license from the State Department for this type of transaction. [/B][/quote]
 
There are, however, some exceptions...
If you are a law enforcement officer of a friendly country, if you are an official representative of a foreign government or, have been declared a distinguished foreign visitor by the State Dept. You can also petition the Attorney General for a waiver. Such a petition must include proof of 180 day residency, a statement from your embassy authorizing you to acquire a firearm or ammunition, and certifying that you would not otherwise be prohibited from such acqusistion. The AG will approve the petition if it is determined that it is in the intrest of justice & would not jeopardize public safety.
Two things learned here...

1. Rank has its privlages!
2. Aunt Janet ain't never gonna' say OK!

Regards,
 
In brief - the licensee (the gun shop owner) must make all the arrangements for the export of the firearms.
What is your home country?
Ask the gunshop folks to let you read their Fed Firearms Regs Book (The green book), get a large soda or cup of java, kick your feet up & wade through 153 pages of Fed regs. Makes for moderatly interesting reading on cold winter nights. Sounds like the gun shop folks just didn't want to do their homework.

Enjoy,
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top