Foreigners and gun ownership in the USA

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Dark Skies

Dark Skies

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When (and it really is more of a when rather than an if) I migrate to the States (my wife is from Ohio) would I be allowed to buy a firearm as a mere resident or will I need to become a citizen first? What's the process involved?
 
I just answered this in your "ban" thread - I saw the follow-on question was getting ignored. Short answer, yes. Details, see my post over there. So you've got that to look forward too!

PS - where in Oxfordshire? I know it a little bit.
 
Thanks guys. And thanks Oro - I just noticed your reply and was about to edit here to say you'd answered it.

I live in a village about six miles out of Oxford. Near what used to be RAF Abingdon. It's now an army barracks.
 
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Yep, that I know. Have been to Oxford a few times. Pretty country, really. Are you in the army, or did you mean RAF Abingdon is now a barracks and you are near that?
 
RAF Abingdon was turned over to the army a fair few years back. It's called Dalton Barracks now - its a logistics and supply depot. Shame really - when the RAF handed over they took the magnificent Spitfire from the checkpoint gate with them. Abingdon and the surrounding area was very pretty but sadly they've built loads of cheap housing all over the free land and it's ... well ... all rather horrible and surbia now.

Not ex-army myself. I tried to sign up for the Royal Marines when the Falklands war kicked off but they tumbled my little wheeze of wearing contact lenses instead of glasses and pointed me towards the regular army. It just wasn't the same though - all my mates had joined the Royal Marines. I joined the police instead ... in my family you're either army or navy and when you've served your time you join the police. Funny how some families are. I work in IT now. I hate it. :)
 
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I am a permanent resident and not a citizen. The only other hoop I had to jump in Illinois is to provide 90 days proof of residency such as 3 months worth of bills from a phone or a credit card company.
 
You'd have to bring your I-551, passport, state D/L and prove 90 days of residency up to the day of your purchase. That might cause 3 business days of delays as they check everything out, it did in my case. I don't know about any Ohio-specific restrictions, those are the federal ones.
 
Another Brit here living in the states (Texas), not only do I own quite a few pistols/rifles and shotguns, but I also have a CHL (Concealed Handgun License)! As others have mentioned, once you receive the Alien Card all you have to do is prove 90 days of residency through utility bills and you can legally purchase a firearm.

One word of caution, if in the event you do commit ANY crime whilst in possession of a firearm it is almost guaranteed deportation, not just overt criminal acts (which I’m sure you have no intention of doing) but also consequential acts that are deemed to be crimes.
For example, someone takes offense to your accent (has happened) picks a fight, you defend yourself and the po-po picks you both up for assault or for disturbing the peace or even littering because you kicked his arse all over the pavement. The arresting department has the option to notify ICE that they arrested an alien with a gun (either a CHL or in Texas it’s even legal to have a pistol in your glove box without a license) ICE then has to review your immigration status.

The worse the crime, the more likely a free plane ride and deservedly so! In consequence, foreigners in America have a lot more responsibilities and consequences than native born gun owners, but all in all, it’s worth it.

One other caveat, I have twice had a FFL dealer refuse to sell me a weapon simply because I was not a US Citizen so If that happens, don’t be offended, just move on down to the next shop to a vendor that actually knows the law.
 
Well, that's all rather encouraging. I probably wouldn't take up a concealed permit in Ohio - because whilst it would be a right I could enjoy it seems everywhere that I might go - public buildings, banks, shops, bars etc. have a policy requiring that you don't enter with a firearm on your person. So ... I could hardly nip out to my car should I require it. :) But I've been shooting for over twenty years now so I'd definately wish to keep up my sporting activities. So it all seems good from what you chaps have said.
 
When (and it really is more of a when rather than an if) I migrate to the States (my wife is from Ohio) would I be allowed to buy a firearm as a mere resident or will I need to become a citizen first? What's the process involved?
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If you are in the country legally, you can legally have a gun in most states.
 
Well

When I moved to Texas from Canada 12 years ago, within 6 mos I had purchased my first handgun, a S&W 617 (I still have it :D). That was on a permanent resident green card. Six mos later (and 3 more handguns) I got my Texas CHL.

I did feel better when I had to renew my CHL permit as by then I was a US citizen. But I never had any problems when I had my green card. Dunno whether the fact I was born in Canada (vs Dubai or Tehran) had anything to do with it.
 
Well, that's all rather encouraging. I probably wouldn't take up a concealed permit in Ohio
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If Ohio CWP serves as a substitute for the NICS background check, I suggest you do get one.

When you buy a gun here, the dealer will call in the NICS background check, NICS in turn will need to contact immigration to verify that you're here legally. So you will always get a "Delayed" status when the dealer calls it in.

That step can take some time, anywhere from an hour to two days for me. Until I got a CWP it was basically impossible to buy a gun (from a dealer) at a gun show.
 
I do not know about Ohio law, however Federally I believe that having ANY state hunting license provides a safe harbor for residents and visitors.

I would presume that obtaining an Ohio hunting permit would satisfy your needs, both at the state and federal level.
 
Illegal aliens can get a weapon provided they can prove 90 days in a home with utitlity bills etc in thier name.
 
If Ohio CWP serves as a substitute for the NICS background check, I suggest you do get one.
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It does not.

Ohio concealed carry regulations are here. If you move to the Columbus area don't live in Columbus; Columbus' mayor and council are rabidly anti-gun; as are Cleveland's and other urban areas. Do yourself a favor, live in a collar county to the urban counties and commute.
 
Illegal aliens can get a weapon provided they can prove 90 days in a home with utitlity bills etc in thier name.
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The 4473 form specifically asks for the number of their "green card" and if they have one of those, they're not an illegal alien.

The big challenge is proving residency in your state for the past 90 days. As soon as you set up house, be sure to get a utility bill you YOUR name. Save three month's worth. Sometimes state requirements for proof of residency vary, so be sure to find out what your state requires.
 
Ohio CCW Licenses Do Not...

Exempt you from filing a ATF 4473 to purchase a firearm, nor does the license exempt you from a background check to buy a gun from a FFL. Open carry is legal in Ohio, though it makes the soccer moms real nervous. Plus, most police in the state are blissfully ignorant of the law concerning open carry, so expect some hassle with that.

On the bright side, Ohio isn't a state that requires a permit to buy a gun, and has no mandatory waiting period to buy a gun, if you can pass the background check, you're out the door in a few minutes with your gun and ammo, and headed to the range to try out your new purchase.

And from this Buckeye, welcome, and if you ever get towards Dayton, send me a personal message or e-mail and I'll be happy to get together with you and take you to my gun club for some shooting, I'll even bring my stuff, buy the ammo, and cover the range fees. We need every rational thinking resident we can get, we got WAY too many who buy into hype rather than think for themselves.
 
stickhauler - that'd be GREAT FUN! Thanks very much for the offer. I'd definitely be up for that. Cheers. My wife's from Medina ... looking on the map that's pretty much a straight run to Dayton. What is that ... 50 miles or so?
 
If you are in the USA with a green card;

Yes, you can

If you're a non-immigrant alien;

No you can't
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I wish I could agree with that statement, but I know it to be false. I know illegal mexicans that have bought guns here in the states.

Just last year I was talking with some guys about a local gun show that weekend. As we were talking, a couple of the mexicans overheard us and said they were going. I asked, why they would be going and they said they liked guns, and one of them started listing off the guns he had bought recently.

It made me mad. But then, I don't think that we ought to have either illegals in this country or illegals with guns.
 
I don't know if the laws have changed in the last few years. But I know about 6 years back a person that was in the country illegally could get a FOID card in Illinois and purchase weapons and ammo.
 
wish I could agree with that statement, but I know it to be false. I know illegal mexicans that have bought guns here in the states.

Just last year I was talking with some guys about a local gun show that weekend. As we were talking, a couple of the mexicans overheard us and said they were going. I asked, why they would be going and they said they liked guns, and one of them started listing off the guns he had bought recently.
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They must have purchased them illegally in a FTF transaction. Would not be able buy from an FFL dealer and get by questions 10 and 11 on Form 4473.
"Go to jail - do not pass GO - go directly to jail"
And if they were able to buy from an FFL dealer, then obviously the dealer is/was at fault and should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law as well.

You can only purchase a firearm legally from a dealer if you have a INS-issued alien number or admission number (IE green card that is not green) and then also have to have proof of residency - in FL it requires a valid FL driver's license and 90days utility bills with address matching the address on your driver's license. Check your future home state laws to confirm though. Laws do vary from state to state.

Per my handle, I have purchased more than one firearm, legally from a dealer and have also obtained my FL CWP.

So, to confirm, yes, as a legal permanent resident, you can own firearms, provided that you have the required documentation to show proof of residency.

I am not a lawyer or an FFL firearms dealer, but I did sleep in a Holiday Inn Express last night :)
 
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