Non-resident gun buying the US?

Random question that came up while chatting with my shooting buddy. If a Canadian citizen were to buy a vacation property in the US, would that person be permitted to buy and carry firearms under US law?

Say I were to buy an apartment in Arizona for example. I would spend a few weeks per year down there on holiday. Would I be allowed to buy and store guns there and apply for a CCW permit? Naturally, all guns would be used and stored in the US and not brought back to Canada at any point.

 

you need to be resident and have ID from said state I believe.
I think it means living there 6+ months a year.

 

My understanding it's only US citizens and permanent residents

 

You can probably go to a range and rent a firearm while there.

 

for example, even me a citizen of the Great state of California cannot go to AZ and buy a gun. I am not a resident there.

 

I think you can buy ammo

 

@Pinay the only thing you can probably do is buy there and have it shipped to your FFL back in your home state for transfer. Pending it is eligible (read Roster in CA and no hi caps)

 

I have bought firearms in Utah, and I am not a resident there. The shotgun I bought didn't even have to be shipped back to an FFL, I was allowed to pick it up on my way out of the store.

As far as the OP, I doubt a non citizen would be allowed to purchase a firearm.

 

maybe because rifle ? not sure. They have to check your ID usually.

 

Oh yes, ID, back ground check. All that still applies. I think it was because it was not a semi-automatic. Pretty sure anything semi has to ship to an FFL if you are buying from out of state.

 

This is exactly right.

 

You can be out an of state US citizen and purchase a firearm here in CO. At least I think so. I was a non resident in AK and bought a rifle up there too. One year residency requirement for hunting and fishing licenses though.

 

Right. I was just stating that purchases across statelines are possible, but may require shipping to an FFL. Just so anyone else reading didn't think that because they lived in one state they couldn't purchase in another. Though, part of that shipping to an FFL in your home state is verification that the firearm complies with state law, so you cannot bypass your states restrictive laws by purchasing from a less restrictive state.

 

There is also a difference between rifle and pistol purchases across state lines within the US for US citizens.

 

The Law has spoken

 

My husband is a permanent resident alien. He came here from England with his family when he was 9. He served in the Marines in Vietnam. He has a couple of advanced degrees and has been delivering babies for over 20 years. He pays a lot of taxes but cannot vote. He can, however possess a concealed carry license and purchase firearms in our state. I'm not sure what the 'right' answers are as far as who can buy firearms, honestly. But i do know two things. My husband is one of the good guys and, bad guys do not go by the rules no matter how many rules and laws we throw at them.

 

Not exactly, there are exemptions. Non Residents can buy them, one being if they posses a valid hunting lic.

 

And rather than listening to all of us on the internet, read these FAQs from the ATF. I skimmed, and I believe your answer is in there. https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/nonimmigrant-aliens

 

we are just internet lawyers here

 

State ID was all I used when I moved to Missouri still had the paper print out and bought my gun.

 

Well shucks. Looks like we're out of luck without citizenship. Non resident aliens can have guns for hunting or sporting purposes but general possession is prohibited. Boo hiss.

Per your link:

"An alien admitted to the United States under a nonimmigrant visa is prohibited from shipping, transporting, receiving, or possessing a firearm or ammunition unless the alien falls within one of the exceptions provided in 18 U.S.C. 922(y)(2), such as: a valid hunting license or permit, admitted for lawful hunting or sporting purposes"


I was born in the wrong country to be a gun lover.

 

It's a helluva process, but you can always become a citizen. Resident aliens can own them, too.

Read through some of the FAQs on the second page there.

 

You aren’t supposed to be able to purchase a gun but your best bet would be a gun show. We have a gun show loop-hole here in the states where just about anybody can get them from these traveling circuses with no oversight. No ID, No background check...No problem.

 

It could be Canadians can be dual citizens but not if you are a US citizen. I know some Mexicans who are citizens here are still Mexican citizens.

 

Not in California gun shows you can’t.

 

Incorrect. Background checks still apply. Anyone selling you a gun at a gunshow without one is breaking the law. I've purchased at gunshows, and the "loophole" is a myth.

 

Plenty of undercover report shows have proven buying at gun shows with no background or wait period is a myth.

 

I've purchased firearms several times at Tanner Gun Shows here in CO. ID always required and background checks done on the spot. Anyone who tries to do a firearms deal in the parking lot gets run off.

 

THIS^^^^^^^^^

 

I'll have to do some digging into that alien number thing.

I've looked into getting a green card. Huge bucks unless I qualify to work in the US or marry an American girl. My trade isn't on the list that would get me in and The Woman is a Canuck...