Can i own a gun ?

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NaderG

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Hi , My Name is Nader
i know this is not the introduction part of the website but this is my first post. I am an 18 year old who lives in southern California. i am 18yrs old and a legal non-Citizen. recently my friend took me to a shooting range and i shot a .40 cal Glock. i really enjoyed it and i am very interested ! however , i am not sure if i can legally own a firearm of any sort since i am not a citizen. i will be taking a firearm safety and certification class soon so that i can be gun certified and then buy some sort of a low-price gun or rifle. i am college student (majoring in biology) so funds are limited! so can i buy a gun ? and what do u guys recommend ?
 
Hello Nader,

As far as federal law is concerned, an 18 year old legal immigrant is allowed to purchase a rifle or shotgun. You must be 21 to purchase a handgun. There may be additional restrictions in your state law.

Welcome to the club, and shoot safely!
 
thanks for the answers , i was actually looking into buying a rifle in the first place ... i know this isnt the section for it either but any recommendations on a Rifle i can buy that wont burn a whole in my pocket ( and still be a good buy) ??
 
You only have to be 21 to purchase a handgun from a dealer.

If you buy from a private party (a friend or just someone selling his weapon) you just have to make sure you are old enough by state law to possess a handgun.

In Alaska it is 18, but California has its own laws.
 
Federal law says you need to be 21+ to buy a handgun from an FFL (dealer). Federal law does not prohibit 18-20 year olds from buying a handgun from a non-FFL (non-dealer). California may prohibit 18-20 year olds from buying a handgun though...
 
any recommendations on a Rifle i can buy that wont burn a whole in my pocket ( and still be a good buy) ??
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If for range fun, something chambered in 22 LR. Doesn't really matter what exactly, though I'm not sure what is and isn't legal in the People's Republic of California. A Bolt action or semi-auto Marlin 22 LR can be picked up for under $150 at many places ($99 at Wal-Mart I think). Also, 22 LR is super affordable (a box of 550 rounds sells for $10 at Wal-Mart).

Welcome to THR BTW!
 
NaderG, time is on your side.

I'd suggest you spend more time with friends that own firearms so you can try out different ones and be more experienced so you can make the right purchase. Read up on our gun laws: http://caag.state.ca.us/firearms/

Take to heart that the USA is a great country to have the Constitution.

When you're 21, you can get all the guns you want...especially that you have to be 21 or older to purchase ammunition. Imagine what you can save up in three years!

Taking firearms course is a great benefit, because you can learn bad habits from non-certified gun teachers.
 
i am 18yrs old and a legal non-Citizen
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I think it depends somewhat on just how legal you are. if you are here as an immigrant you are mostly subject to the same laws as the rest of us (note the word mostly) and can acquire firearms in the normal way.

If you are here as a tourist (and maybe as a student), you are not able to legally purchase firearms, although there is a hunting loophole where you can buy a gun if you have a hunting license. You are not actually required to hunt, just buy the license.

I would also suggest a 22 rifle of some sort. They are fun and cheap to shoot, and the low recoil leads to better shooting habits. The gun safety course is a good idea as well.

California may have some additional rules.
 
Hello Nader,

I also live in socal. Get a Ruger 10/22 from a local Big5. I saw one on sale for $210 and they only retail for $250. Ammo is cheap as its a .22lr, so you can shoot the thing all day and not go broke. Also, once you have more money you can customize it and make it look better.
 
being a legal non-citizen is usually fine, but you usually also must be a resident of the state you are purchasing from if I remember right, and must have been a resident for a designated amount of time before you can get a gun. Just make sure to check your state's rules and laws.
 
I am an immigrant , which means i will be buying a rifle soon
how about a Savage Model 64G Rimfire Rifle 30000 , its about 150 $ and it holds 10 rounds ?? Is that a good gun or not ??

and can someone please briefly explain what an air soft rifle is !

MODS , plz transfer this thread to the Rifle Country section

Thanks everybody for the help i appreciate it !
 
I am an immigrant , which means i will be buying a rifle soon
how about a Savage Model 64G Rimfire Rifle 30000 , its about 150 $ and it holds 10 rounds ?? Is that a good gun or not ??
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Probably be a good starter gun. I would urge you to try to shoot several different rifles before picking one. Features one person just loves will aggravate the heck out of another person.

and can someone please briefly explain what an air soft rifle is !
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it shoots plastic pellets with compressed air.

By the way, welcome to America.
 
California may prohibit 18-20 year olds from buying a handgun though...
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In CA, all gun transfers must go through a dealer. Even if buying from an individual, the dealer cannot transfer a handgun to someone under 21.
 
I would urge you to try to shoot several different rifles before picking one
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it will be kind of hard since i dont have access to any rifles at the moment and i think price would be the major factor in my purchase , after all , this is my first firearm.

By the way, welcome to America.
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thank you ! i am loving it here !

In CA, all gun transfers must go through a dealer. Even if buying from an individual, the dealer cannot transfer a handgun to someone under 21.
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i am actually heading for a dealer today , and it is ok that i cant get a handgun , i wanted a rifle in the first place ;)
 
NaderG,

General principles for purchase as a non citizen.

1. You have to be a Green Card holder, also called a Permanent Resident Alien. No other visa is permitted so H1B, L1A etc are insufficient.

2. Assuming there are no additional state or local municipality restrictions, long arm (rifle or shot gun) at 18 and pistol at 21 if you purchase via an FFL.

3. When you go to purchase and you have to have the NICS check run you will need at the least

Your Green Card.

Driving licence or other state/federal issued photo ID with your address on it.

Utility bill or some other form of proof that you have been resident for 90 days or more at that address.

There are other restrictions in California, quick precis at this link

http://www.nraila.org/statelawpdfs/CASL.pdf
 
I know this is a bit off topic, but what is the legal difference between a citizen and a green card holder?
 
Yes, the Savage bolt action 22 is a good starter rifle. Like all Savages they are usually far more accurate than they ought to be for what they cost. The Marlin bolt action 22 ought to be in the same price range and they are great guns as well. I am one of the few who will not push the Ruger 10-22 as I do not find them to be very accurate and the original trigger pull is generally horendous.
 
I am an immigrant , which means i will be buying a rifle soon
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Great attitude! Keep thinking along those lines and you might find yourself with a US passport.

it will be kind of hard since i dont have access to any rifles at the moment and i think price would be the major factor in my purchase , after all , this is my first firearm.
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Hmm. You'll have to do it dry then. See CountGlock's thread: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=329910
When you go to a store, tell them you're serious about buying a rifle. Pick one, hold the rifle in the position the girl in the pic is using. Hold it at the waist, bring it up to your shoulder and into the offhand position. Then do the same with the position the guy is using, the standing position with the left arm resting on the left side of your ribcage. Do these mounts with a couple different rifles. (be very very careful what you point the rifle at! Point it at the intersection of some ceiling tiles or something) How do they feel? How's the balance? Does the rifle seem to fit you well or does it feel awkward? Sight down the rifle. Do you like the sight picture? Does the rifle sight in almost automatically when you mount it or do you have to adjust it? Work the action. Try working the action with the rifle still mounted. Ask if you can dry fire it once, if they say no tell them you won't buy a rifle if you can't pull the trigger at least once. Is the trigger "crisp", that is it doesn't feel gritty & there's not a lot of creep in it before it breaks? A really nice trigger will feel like there's a little glass rod inside that snaps in one clean break.

A bolt action makes a perfect first gun. If you gotta have a semi-auto, buy a Marlin 60, it'll run you about $150. It's hard to go wrong with a used bolt rimfire but for a first gun I would probably stick with new.

BTW those pics are from a NRA basic rifle instruction book. I've got a copy and it's great.
 
Here's a couple pics of how to hold a rifle (right handed)
p1020681yy2.jpg

p1020683bz8.jpg
 
I Visited a gun store today . they only had a few .22 s , whithin my price range only theese two fit:
a bolt action marlin (150)
a semi auto savage (210)

the guy was kinda hesitant handing them to me since i told him i was a complete newbie . but i got to hold them both. the marlin was lighter but it was synthetic finish and felt cheap. the savage was a wood finish ( i love wood :D ) and i liked it more !!

i will go to couple more tomorrow since i have no classes

i have another question though :

i was seeing my school's therapist a while back ( 5 months or so ) because i wasnt feeling good and i had ( cough cough ) "suicidal" thoughts .... now i am being 100% honest here , that is over and i am more than fine now , however , i am kind of worried that it might come up in a background check and prevent me from fun at the range :(

should i be worried ??
 
The way the forms read, as long as you haven't been "judged mentally defective" you should be fine.
 
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