British Guy in Kansas with a gun ownership question.

[New in Kansas]

Hello All.

I am a British citizen and just arrived in Kansas. I would really like to enjoy the hobby of target shooting.

Maybe someone could describe what my options are.

I only have a non-immigrant visa. (Currently)

If my understanding is correct, I am not allowed to buy or own a hand gun, or any type of gun at all,
including a shot gun. Is this correct?

I would still like to enjoy shooting as a hobby.

How can I do this legally?

Many thanks in advance.

Hayden.

[Hazcat]

Hi Hayden,

Generally you are correct but there are some exceptions.  Most noticeably is the exception if you have a hunting license.

Here is a letter from BATFE with the pertinent regulations listed.

http://www.atf.gov/pub/fflnews_pub/ffl0501.pdf

[New in Kansas]

Thank you Hazcat.

I have just read that website you quoted.

There is a paragraph where is talks about the exceptions. The amendment applies to any alien in the
United States in a nonimmigrant status, whether or not that alien was required to obtain a visa to enter the United States. Some examples of aliens in a nonimmigrant status are persons traveling temporarily in the
United States for business or pleasure, persons studying in the United States who maintain a residence abroad, and temporary foreign workers. Permanent resident aliens are not subject to this new prohibition.

Since I live in Kansas with a Kansas address, I would wonder if that would make me Permanent resident aliens are not subject to this new prohibition?

In the meantime, I need to check this out throughly.

Can I go to a Kansas gun club, and rent a gun whilst on the club's property? Is that (abeit expensive) one way to enjoy the sport? 

[Hazcat]

Yes, I am sure you could rent as that is not a transfer.

I would imagine 'permanent resident alien' would be a different visa BUT do quote me on that as I pretty much know squat about that subject. 

Even with the hunting license exception you must be a state resident for 90 days by federal law, state law MAY require more.

[MikeBjerum]

The boss lady should be back pretty soon and be able to help with this question.

Kansas has some restrictive rules.  We live in Minnesota, and I can't buy any firearm in Kansas.  Really sucks when we go to visit family the same weekend as the big Wichita Gun Show!

Someday I will convince one of them to go along and do the buying for me (I think that's illegal though isn't it).

Oh well, that FFL is looking better and better all the time.

[Sponsor]

[Hazcat]

The boss lady should be back pretty soon and be able to help with this question.

Kansas has some restrictive rules.  We live in Minnesota, and I can't buy any firearm in Kansas.  Really sucks when we go to visit family the same weekend as the big Wichita Gun Show!

Someday I will convince one of them to go along and do the buying for me (I think that's illegal though isn't it).

Oh well, that FFL is looking better and better all the time.

Yep.  It's a 'straw man purchase' but I won't tell anyone if you don't. 

[tombogan03884]

Yep.  It's a 'straw man purchase' but I won't tell anyone if you don't. 

We just have his word any way, thats "hearsay" not evidence

[Pathfinder]

The boss lady should be back pretty soon and be able to help with this question.

Kansas has some restrictive rules.  We live in Minnesota, and I can't buy any firearm in Kansas.  Really sucks when we go to visit family the same weekend as the big Wichita Gun Show!

Someday I will convince one of them to go along and do the buying for me (I think that's illegal though isn't it).

Oh well, that FFL is looking better and better all the time.

No, I don't think it is illegal, as you are technically eligible to own the weapon. I believe the law is if you buy it for someone who cannot legally own it. Remember Sarah Brady got all kinds of flack cuz she bought a shotgun and gave it to her son for his birthday or Christmas? Never arrested tho, but do check out the pertinent laws.

Besides, if someone buys it, shoots it, then sells it to you cuz they don't want it anymore is a private transfer. Check the KS laws on that.

[Hazcat]

But, he is crossing state lines!

[MikeBjerum]

But, he is crossing state lines!

That is what I see as the problem.  The only gray area I've found is if it is one of the kids that buy it, bring it to MN, and then I buy it from them here (provided they owned it long enough to appear in the eyes of the law that it wasn't a straw man purchase).  I do know that they can not buy it declaring that they are buying it for me (that is seen as me buying it, and Minnesotans are not good enough to buy there).