Purchase requirements for US Permanent Resident.

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    TROOPER

    TROOPER

    Ultimate Member
    May 22, 2011
    3,977
    Raleigh, NC

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    Pstango

    Pstango

    Active Member
    Sep 21, 2011
    769
    Mary Esther, FL
    What about legal residents still waiting for their greencard? I also know someone whose in a similar predicament except he doesn't have his greencard yet. He has been living here for probably 5ish years...
     
    TROOPER

    TROOPER

    Ultimate Member
    May 22, 2011
    3,977
    Raleigh, NC
    Pstango said:
    What about legal residents still waiting for their greencard? I also know someone whose in a similar predicament except he doesn't have his greencard yet. He has been living here for probably 5ish years...
    Click to expand...

    If he's waiting for a green card, then I'm not quite sure how he's legal..???
     
    lx1x

    lx1x

    Peanut Gallery
    Apr 19, 2009
    26,992
    Maryland
    Pstango said:
    What about legal residents still waiting for their greencard? I also know someone whose in a similar predicament except he doesn't have his greencard yet. He has been living here for probably 5ish years...
    Click to expand...

    That maybe harder. If he can prove that he has hunting license, he can buy long guns ( not 100% on this though)

    He has to have permanent status, not temporary visa etc.
     
    Pstango

    Pstango

    Active Member
    Sep 21, 2011
    769
    Mary Esther, FL
    Thanks for the reply. He has a work visa (professional) btw. I've seen the hunting license "loophole" but he apparently went to two different shops and they emphatically said no. The way he described the interaction though makes me think they thought he was illegal. I doubt he'll try again though until after he gets his GC, but I was curious after seeing this thread started.
     
    A

    anand14

    Member
    Jul 24, 2012
    88
    Pstango said:
    Visas also allow you to be in the US legally. Typically people can obtain a student or work visa. Student visas are usually considered temporary.
    Click to expand...
    After having gone through the Immigration process myself (it took 16 years to become a US Citizen), I can throw a few facts.

    Student visas (F-1) and Work Visas (H1-B/L1) are considered non-immigrant visas. They are not allowed to buy firearms.

    The Green Card is a status change (from Non-Resident Alien to Resident Alien) and requires that your employer change your status from H1-B to Green Card via the Employment Route. It takes about 4 - 5 years.


    I was not allowed to purchase a firearm back in 2001 when I was on an H1-B visa. The owner of the gun store in Ohio was very knowledgeable and asked me to come back after I got my Green Card (Resident Alien status).

    I have had no issues buying firearms with my Green Card. Gun stores do require that you produce the Green card during the buying process.

    I am a US citizen now and my Driver's License is sufficient to purchase firearms.

    Hope that information helps someone.


    PS: I have heard about the possibility of owning long guns on an H1-B visa if one has taken a Hunter Safety course but I personally have not seen anyone do that.
     
    TROOPER

    TROOPER

    Ultimate Member
    May 22, 2011
    3,977
    Raleigh, NC
    Pstango said:
    Visas also allow you to be in the US legally. Typically people can obtain a student or work visa. Student visas are usually considered temporary.
    Click to expand...

    anand14 said:
    After having gone through the Immigration process myself (it took 16 years to become a US Citizen), I can throw a few facts.

    Student visas (F-1) and Work Visas (H1-B/L1) are considered non-immigrant visas. They are not allowed to buy firearms.

    The Green Card is a status change (from Non-Resident Alien to Resident Alien) and requires that your employer change your status from H1-B to Green Card via the Employment Route. It takes about 4 - 5 years.


    I was not allowed to purchase a firearm back in 2001 when I was on an H1-B visa. The owner of the gun store in Ohio was very knowledgeable and asked me to come back after I got my Green Card (Resident Alien status).

    I have had no issues buying firearms with my Green Card. Gun stores do require that you produce the Green card during the buying process.

    I am a US citizen now and my Driver's License is sufficient to purchase firearms.

    Hope that information helps someone.


    PS: I have heard about the possibility of owning long guns on an H1-B visa if one has taken a Hunter Safety course but I personally have not seen anyone do that.
    Click to expand...

    Agreed, you have to be a "permanent resident" or "Resident Alien", which he is not.

    A visa is not a green card, so the answer is a big NO, sorry.
     
    S

    shubin6

    Member
    Mar 20, 2012
    83
    AA County
    In many states a F1 student have to get a hunting license first, and then to buy long guns, but in some states F1 also can buy hand guns.

    However their requests almost always are denied by FBI so they have to pass the appeal process.
     
    Pstango

    Pstango

    Active Member
    Sep 21, 2011
    769
    Mary Esther, FL
    anand14 said:
    After having gone through the Immigration process myself (it took 16 years to become a US Citizen), I can throw a few facts.

    Student visas (F-1) and Work Visas (H1-B/L1) are considered non-immigrant visas. They are not allowed to buy firearms.

    The Green Card is a status change (from Non-Resident Alien to Resident Alien) and requires that your employer change your status from H1-B to Green Card via the Employment Route. It takes about 4 - 5 years.


    I was not allowed to purchase a firearm back in 2001 when I was on an H1-B visa. The owner of the gun store in Ohio was very knowledgeable and asked me to come back after I got my Green Card (Resident Alien status).

    I have had no issues buying firearms with my Green Card. Gun stores do require that you produce the Green card during the buying process.

    I am a US citizen now and my Driver's License is sufficient to purchase firearms.

    Hope that information helps someone.


    PS: I have heard about the possibility of owning long guns on an H1-B visa if one has taken a Hunter Safety course but I personally have not seen anyone do that.
    Click to expand...

    TROOPER said:
    Agreed, you have to be a "permanent resident" or "Resident Alien", which he is not.

    A visa is not a green card, so the answer is a big NO, sorry.
    Click to expand...

    Anand14, first congrats on making it through the process! As an immigrant's son and someone whose wife and many friends are immigrants, I know how long and arduous the process can be. My wife is finally going down the citizenship path now so we'll see how long it takes. Finally thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience. It is very helpful.

    Trooper, I should have been more specific about visas, but since it was late and since you seemed confused about legal status without GCs (common misconception btw since our immigrant system is overly complex) I was a bit too brief. A professional work visa (EB3) is considered an immigrant visa and they ARE considered permanent residents, though they don't have all of the benefits of a GC (like having to reapply, i believe, every 2 years)... hence why people apply for the status change.

    Regardless, I was curious if anyone else has had this designation and used a hunting license to purchase a long gun since I have heard of this being done.

    Thanks!
     
    Pstango

    Pstango

    Active Member
    Sep 21, 2011
    769
    Mary Esther, FL
    shubin6 said:
    In many states a F1 student have to get a hunting license first, and then to buy long guns, but in some states F1 also can buy hand guns.

    However their requests almost always are denied by FBI so they have to pass the appeal process.
    Click to expand...

    Interesting. Sounds like this may be a state by state issue? Considering we are in MD, I wouldn't hold out much hope. Next time I'm in a shop for another toy, I'll have to see if they can clear this up.

    Thanks!
     
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