Indians For Guns

Hey guys,
I am moving LA in september on a student visa(F-1). i will be there for about 4-6 years. I have found out of the various shooting ranges around my university to continue my shooting.
i had certain queries, if any US based menber could answer them....
1. can i buy a pistol while i am on a student visa
2. i wish to come back once my education is done, so do i fall in the TR category?

warm regards

Parag

Fire arms are banned on all campuses,post Virginia Tech it is advisable to excercise caution and stay away,
lest that you invite trouble.That should not stop you from visiting the local range to empty a few clips though.
In any case to own a hand gun you would need to have a social security number,which is only given to citizens and resident aliens not international students.
About the TR bit I am not to sure,check the Indian baggage rules cause they apply,AFAIK the visa status needs to change from F to H to be elegible to own a fire arm first before thinking about the TR.
Perhaps some of the US based members can shed some light on the current laws.

Parag, from what I know and I've only been in the US 10 years and you can ask the other experts here know more

For purchasing firearms, local laws maybe different but from what I know, non US citizens may buy firearms if they can show one of two things, a hunting license or a membership in a shooting/hunting club. Both are easy to get.

Also, local rules maybe different regarding buying a pistol vs long-gun (rifle/shotgun). Best thing for you I'd say is to first come over, join the college, start your classes and THEN think about "other" activities. Your first priority should be studies as I'm sure you know and plenty others would have told you already

When you're ready for recreation, you can look/ask the local shops/ranges and I'm sure you'll find a lot of information. Its not difficult and if its not possible, you won't know untill you try I hope you have fun.

Sanjay,
1. You can get an SSN when you come in here as a student.
2. More than baggage rules the TR laws will apply and that is what Parag will have to consider

Handgun laws vary state to state, I am not sure about LA , but in my state Maryland you need to have Hunting Permit to buy Handgun as Non US Citizen, Some dealers also ask for green card but that is not mandatory. Its easy to buy Long Guns than Handguns here I believe that will be somewhat same in LA too. The easiest way to check for local range and try your hands their. Most of the ranges rent guns so you can try your hands on different weapon of different caliber. If you are really keen to have your own handgun you can check it with some dealer. They are very freindly here and will be happy to help you out or do the paperwork on your behalf.

Regards
Saptarshi

You want a handgun for concealed carry purposes? Firstly check if LA allows CC.

AMK

HSharief";p="47874 wrote: Sanjay,
1. You can get an SSN when you come in here as a student.
2. More than baggage rules the TR laws will apply and that is what Parag will have to consider

SSN's are given to citizens,permanent residents ie green card holders & folks on temp work permits re those on H1's,international students are registered with SEVIS.

TR rules and regs are a part of the baggage rules,per the Dept of Customs & Excise.

no i dont want a pistol for CC. i want to own a weapon to practice and to shoot regularly at the local range.

That should be a lot simpler then. I think you will be able to learn more about the topic once you move there and start interacting with locals at ranges and within the shooting community.

AMK

Once you are in US, take a hunting class to get a hunting license. Usually it takes 2-3 days of classes to get the license. Also take some part time job with in campus to get SSN number. Once you get that , you have to find a dealer who can do all the extra paperwork to sell a gun to non-immigrant person ( u can explore around and some of them are quite knowledgeable about this). Its easier to buy and keep long guns. Some states like California has some extra laws about handguns.
You can always to got any range and rent a gun to practice at the range. All they need at the range is an identity and fillup a form.

Hope this helps
Cheers
Mandeep

Archer

As every one else pointed out Gun laws in US are state and city specific. Gun permit process can be stringent some times but if shooting ranges allows non lic holders to rent and shoot then thats the best thing.

Best