H1B Visa - What is the law to own a gun?

[Danno]

I have a co-worker that is here on an H1B work visa - a Non-Immigrant, Legal Alien, and is waiting on his Green Card (permanent residency). He wants to purchase a gun and I am having a hard time finding the laws pertaining to this.

From what I have found so far, he can purchase a gun, as long has he has a hunting license, but would like to see some legal sources as to what his options are.

BTW, we are in S.C.

Thanks for your help guys!

[Red Hat]

If he meets certain criteria then he could purchase a firearm legally. I found this. Zhang - U.S. Immigration & Counseling Home

[ecocks]

He can in TN. That may not help but in the ID requirements it states thaqt non-US citizens can use a passport for ID purposes.

Additional: The law in TN states elsewhere the alien must have legal permanent residency.

[mot mayhem]

My wife is from Canada. She has her legal resident alien status, work permit, ssn,dl, and probably a few others. I looked into it when we were first married and from what my friend forund out for me was that if she was a legal citizen(at least in OH), she was legal to purchase and obtain a CCW permit. Good luck to your friends. I would suggest just going down to a store & asking them. I reckon if anyone would be able to tell you for your area it would be them.

[wolfhunter]

If your local FFL doesn't know, they probably have a number to contact the local BATFE agent for just this type of question.

[LawAbidingTNHolder]

Hi there,

I am a holder of a TN work visa in the US. I am a Canadian living in California.

I purchased a shotgun and a Glock 19 LEGALLY. I am a law abiding visitor to the US and obey all the laws. I also believe in the right to firearm ownership which is a virtually NIGHTMARE in Canada.

To purchase a firearm: Long gun and pistol you need the following:

1) to be LEGALLY in the US
2) a valid I 94
3) to be in your resident state for their statutory time (Cali it is 90 days)
BE WARNED: if you leave the country for 1 min in 90 days the clock resets. I went to Mexico for 4 hrs for lunch and came back and my clock RESET!!!
4) 3 months consecutive utility bills
5) obviously no criminal record
6) this works for a TN and H1B
7) You may need a hunting license depending on the state

I am also of South Asian decent (Indian for those of you who don't know what that is) and I had NO troubles even with a long and crazy last name. The GREAT thing about the US is that they treat you fairly if you are a law abiding person. Don't do anything stupid and you will be equal under the constitution.

Good luck! Check out your state laws for further information. California is the hardest and WORST state to try to purchase a firearm.

I wrote this to support law abiding people who want to own firearms, but also those who are here legally who believe in sport, hunting and home protection. Don't take my rights away.

FYI

I LEGALLY went through this in Canada. ONLY for long guns it took me a mandatory 6 day (over 6 weeks) hunters course (which I did love and learn a lot), I had to apply for a hunter's license, got a background check which I obviously passed, then it was MONTHS before I got a FAC (firearms acquisition certificate)

BUT to all you law abiding Canadians and Americans, I LEGALLY OBTAINED MY FIREARMS but the government required me GIVING UP my right of entry to my HOME because I LEGALLY obtained firearms for hunting. There is NO legal requirement for entry by authorities WITH a search warrant into my HOME because I LEGALLY obtained my firearms. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT CRAP? If I were a criminal the would be FORCED to get a search warrant or the criminal could go free. YOU AMERICANS DO NOT GIVE UP YOUR RIGHTS, REMAIN FREE!

Thank you for giving me my ability to post this comment.