Gun licensing in other countries

[m24]

Can our members in other countries please share their experiences w.r.t gun licensing criteria where they are residing currently? Experiences can include good and bad practices being followed in those places. Also the fact whether the licensing process is a subjective one (dependent on the Licensing Authority) or an objective one (where if you fulfill the specified criteria, you get a license immediately).

Regards

[ArcherSix]

I'm in the USA. Gun laws here fall into 2 categories: Federal Laws(which cover the whole country) and State Laws(which only cover the state in which they are passed, and are different for each state). Under Federal Law, a United States citizen simply has to pass a instant background check to check for felonyrecord or any record of other disqualifing matters(mental problems, etc). Once the background check is passed, usually a matter of minutes, the transaction can take place, and the customer can walk out with his firearm. There is no "Licensing" per se.

State laws are different for each state. My home state of Illinois requires a firearms owners identification card(FOID card) for which, a resident of Illinois simply has to submit a form and pay a small fee. Also, there is a 24 hour wait period for the purchase of rifles or shotguns, and a 72 hour wait time for the purchase of handguns. Additionally, machine guns, silencers, and other similar devices are illegal under state law(some states, for instance Kentucky have not outlawed machine guns, and those can be legally owned by residents of those states). Also, some states have more restrictive laws requiring permits or licenses to own guns, and have longer waiting periods. Some states have more lax laws.

Most states in the US now allow the carrying of concealed firearms. Sadly, Illinois is not one of those states,,,yet.

[Sakobav]

In New York City its a pretty long drawn affair to secure pistol or long gun license. It involves very detailed back ground check by local police and even Federal authorities. There are two types of licenses for home safety and conceal carry. Typically one is granted home safety and there are very specific guidelines of carrying the guns back and forth to the range. Police permit is required to purchase of gun and sale of a guns. The guns have to be taken to the police authorities for verification prior to sale or after purchase. The permits are issued for period of 3 years.

[m24]

Thanks ArcherSix and Navi. The idea behind this post is to draw out a simple system for licensing and forward it to the authorities here. And then push for implementing it. Wishful thinking!!

Regards

[MoA]

Weapons fall into 8 categories. You guessed it Cat 1 to 8.

Cat 1: Weapons of war calibers: .308, 7.62x39, 9mm Para etc. You need a special paper from the local authorities.
Cat 2: Artillery, Missiles etc. Only for collection.
Cat 3: High explosives, grenades etc. Difficult to get papers. 1-3 years wait.
Cat 4: Pistols, Revolvers, Semi Auto weapons not of war caliber. Same as Cat 1.
Cat 5: All bolt action rifles, pump action guns, semi auto rifles with a fixed magazine and capacity under 10 rounds. Need to be a member of a shooting club or registered hunter.
Cat 6: Paintball, knuckle dusters, airguns over 10 joules et al. Registered with the cops.
Cat 7: .22 LR bolt guns, Shotguns (O/U or Sxs only). Shooting club membership or registered hunter.
Cat 8: All black powder guns, guns declared as being antiques (<100 years old) ID and over 18.
Simple and straight forward.

[m24]

And how much processing time, start to end, for Cat. 4, 5 & 7??

Regards

[james02]

Hi Guys,
Can a H1 Status person obtain a license for a shotgun to shoot trap or skeet in California.My brother lives in st Jose.

thanks

[MoA]

And how much processing time, start to end, for Cat. 4, 5 & 7??

Regards

Cat 1&4 take about two months+ dependent on where you live.
5&7 walk into the shop, show your shooting license+ID, fill a form, pay and you're done.
If its a private person to person sale. Fill a form sign, attach photocopies of documents from both parties and you're done. At some point visit the cops, show them the gun and submit the form. Typically within 3 months of the purchase.

[hvj1]

Thanks ArcherSix and Navi. The idea behind this post is to draw out a simple system for licensing and forward it to the authorities here. And then push for implementing it. Wishful thinking!!

Regards

Good thinking M24,

[Virendra S Rathore]

Hi Guys,
Can a H1 Status person obtain a license for a shotgun to shoot trap or skeet in California.My brother lives in st Jose.

thanks

I always had the same question in mind. I'm an IT guy, never know when I might land up in US. Would want to utilize the golden chance if possible (legal)

I googled and found this coming from a Indian gentleman at a forum.
Source - http://www.usacarry.com/forums/general- ... n-gun.html

"Hi there,

I am a holder of a TN non-immigrant visa in the US. I am a Canadian living in California.
I purchased a NEF Pardner 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 virtual NIGHTMARE in Canada.
To purchase a firearm: Long gun or 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 residency 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!!! I got turned down on the background check the first time due to me going to Mexico for lunch during the 90 day residency (I was issued a new I 94, if you have a multiple entry, this should not affect you. If you are out of the country for more than 30 days you will get issued a new I 94). I called the state DOJ and they were VERY helpful and can be reached at http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/ They will tell you why you were turned down and will even provide some helpful tips if you get the right person on the phone.
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. In California you HAVE to pass a hunter's safety course AND get a valid Hunting License. I did the online course and test and took the 4 hr mandatory classroom course. It was easier and more convenient than the 2 FULL DAY hunter's course. http://www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/classes-home-study.aspx
Valid state issued ID
9) Your passport

Just a note, Turner's Outdoorsman in Redondo Beach, CA was very very very helpful during what was probably one of their most challenging registrations and sales. I am a LOYAL customer as the customer service was second to none. www.turners.com
I am also of South Asian decent (Indian for those of you who don't know what that is) and I had NO troubles from federal authorities even with a long and crazy last name. That's because I am LAW abiding and believe in community wherever I am. 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 have rights under the US constitution.
Good luck! Check out your state laws for further information. I have heard that California is one of the hardest and WORST state to try to purchase a firearm and I got it done with 6 mths of effort and persistence.
I wrote this to support and aide law abiding people who want to own firearms, but ONLY those who are here legally who believe in sport, hunting and home protection. Don't take my rights away.
FYI
I LEGALLY went through the firearms acquisition route in Canada. ONLY for long gun acquisition I had to take a mandatory 6 day (over 6 weeks) hunters course CORE (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 PAL (Possession and Acquisition License).
BUT to all you law abiding Canadians and Americans, I LEGALLY OBTAINED MY FIREARMS but the government required me WAIVING my right of entry to my HOME as a consequence of LEGALLY obtaining 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 they 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."

[kanwar76]

Hi Guys,
Can a H1 Status person obtain a license for a shotgun to shoot trap or skeet in California.My brother lives in st Jose.

thanks

I always had the same question in mind. I'm an IT guy, never know when I might land up in US. Would want to utilize the golden chance if possible (legal)
Anyone has answers ??

Yep you can buy guns on H1. I think its already discussed in forum many times. Use Search

-Inder