Diplomatic Immunity

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Durruti

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I was just wondering about this and couldn't find it anyway in the archives.

In the U.S., what latitude do foreign diplomats have with regards to firearms? Most diplomats spend a great deal of their time in D.C. and N.Y.C., so does their immunity allow them to carry in these places? Do they have to notify anyone? How about inside federal buildings? Courthouses? Airplanes? Other restricted areas?

Just curious.
 
This is something which isn't talked about very much but people here with diplomatic status have a LOT of freedom that we humble peasants don't have. CCW in all 50 states, buy and own new full-autos, everything. I wish I could get diplomatic status here. It's a travesty that our government trusts foreigners more than it trusts its own citizens.
 
This is something which isn't talked about very much but people here with diplomatic status have a LOT of freedom that we humble peasants don't have. CCW in all 50 states, buy and own new full-autos, everything. I wish I could get diplomatic status here. It's a travesty that our government trusts foreigners more than it trusts its own citizens.
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They cannot legally buy full auto weapons since it would be generally be illegal to sell to them in most cases.

They cannot legally do anything more than anyone else, they just can't be arrested/punished for it.

They can however be declared PNG and sent home for misconduct, and that does happen from time to time.
 
It's not just our goverment it's international diplomacy. Outside of the ambassador or counsel there are not a lot of foreigners with diplomatic immunity in each embassy or consulate.

I happened to see someone waving their black passport and refusing to go to the security checkpoint at an airport. The airline rep said you go through our security or you don't get on the plane. The guy missed that flight.

Diplomats from most countries are not here to make waves and don't abuse the privelege.
 
Diplomats can be searched with approval from their embassy. This is not uncommon and Customs does it if they reason to believe the diplomat is smuggling drugs, cash, etc. Permission is usually given as foreign countries like to cooperate for the most part.
 
I'm pretty sure official diplomats can carry any type of small arms they want. I'm sure their bodyguards are carrying sweet weapons. Not sure how it works, but I'm sure the government (probably state department) coordinates with other governments on what weapons they can carry and such.

And the black passport is a free get out of jail card. The government doesn't mess with diplomats unless it's a serious matter, and generally only kicks them out of the country. This way, our diplomats in other countries get the same treatment.

They cannot legally buy full auto weapons since it would be generally be illegal to sell to them in most cases.
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From atf website:

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:
...
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
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So yes they can buy firearms. But I'm sure they'll just bring their own, provided by their own governments. Saves the hassle.
 
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