gose
05-03-2006, 06:14 PM
Since I've seen the question asked, I thought I'd post some of my findings based on my experiences...
The following applies to people moving into the country. Some special rules applies to visitors.
1. Importation of privately currently owned firearms into the US and California.
In general Non-Immigrant Aliens (NIA) are NOT allowed to buy, possess or import firearms or ammunition. Two exceptions to "normal" people exists:
* Get a waiver from the Fed DOJ. No one knows anything about this and it also requires you to be a resident for 180 consecutive days (ie not leaving the country AT ALL during this time)
* Get a hunting license from ANY state. You need to show proof of "acceptable education" (pretty much any education from Europe or Australia will do) and pay the non-resident fee.
When you have your hunting license you fill out the ATF Form 6. Make sure you use the real form 6 and not the simplified visitors version. Include a copy of the hunting license with your application.
Since even forms arriving in the same envelope will be diveded between specialists, use one form and attach a sheet with all your gun parts and guns to the single form, or you will end up having your forms split between several ATF agents.
After appr. two months you will receive the forms along with a customs form that you are supposed to leave with customs.
When you have all your forms you pack all your guns in suit cases and bring them with you when you fly into the country. Try to enter the US at your final destination, since you will have to go through customs at your port of entry and this will take some time (or make sure you have a several hour lay-over)
You can arrange to have your guns shipped to a FFL, in which case the FFL will have to fill out the forms. The problem with this is that you need to be a resident before you can get the guns from the FFL. Residency for a NIA is when you have been in the country for 90 consecutive days, so if you happen to leave the country every 87th day, you might never be able to take possession of your own guns!
Once in the state you have 60 days to register the guns with CA DOJ. It costs $19 / gun and is a pretty simply process. Once again, make sure you include a copy of your hunting license.
2. Purchasing firearms and ammunition.
Once in the state and in possession of a hunting license you are allowed to buy ammunition. Some dealers will have problems understanding this if you dont have a Driver's License. It's perfectly legal for you to buy ammunition, but don't expect all dealers to know this.
After being in the country for 90 days you are allowed to buy firearms like any other permanent resident. When you go for the DROS, make sure to bring your passport with your I94 card and your hunting license.
Any time you leave the country the 90 days will reset and you will have to wait again.
3. Borrowing firearms.
If you have a hunting license it is ok to borrow firearms for a "specific purpose" as long as it's a temporary loan and the intent is not for you to take possession of the firearm. Having someone buy a firearm and then lending it to you and then later transferring to you will most certainly be considered a straw purchase! Stay Clear!
With the hunting license it's also ok to rent firearms at a range, but some ranges won't accept this anyway (Reed's is one example), so get your drivers license asap.
The following applies to people moving into the country. Some special rules applies to visitors.
1. Importation of privately currently owned firearms into the US and California.
In general Non-Immigrant Aliens (NIA) are NOT allowed to buy, possess or import firearms or ammunition. Two exceptions to "normal" people exists:
* Get a waiver from the Fed DOJ. No one knows anything about this and it also requires you to be a resident for 180 consecutive days (ie not leaving the country AT ALL during this time)
* Get a hunting license from ANY state. You need to show proof of "acceptable education" (pretty much any education from Europe or Australia will do) and pay the non-resident fee.
When you have your hunting license you fill out the ATF Form 6. Make sure you use the real form 6 and not the simplified visitors version. Include a copy of the hunting license with your application.
Since even forms arriving in the same envelope will be diveded between specialists, use one form and attach a sheet with all your gun parts and guns to the single form, or you will end up having your forms split between several ATF agents.
After appr. two months you will receive the forms along with a customs form that you are supposed to leave with customs.
When you have all your forms you pack all your guns in suit cases and bring them with you when you fly into the country. Try to enter the US at your final destination, since you will have to go through customs at your port of entry and this will take some time (or make sure you have a several hour lay-over)
You can arrange to have your guns shipped to a FFL, in which case the FFL will have to fill out the forms. The problem with this is that you need to be a resident before you can get the guns from the FFL. Residency for a NIA is when you have been in the country for 90 consecutive days, so if you happen to leave the country every 87th day, you might never be able to take possession of your own guns!
Once in the state you have 60 days to register the guns with CA DOJ. It costs $19 / gun and is a pretty simply process. Once again, make sure you include a copy of your hunting license.
2. Purchasing firearms and ammunition.
Once in the state and in possession of a hunting license you are allowed to buy ammunition. Some dealers will have problems understanding this if you dont have a Driver's License. It's perfectly legal for you to buy ammunition, but don't expect all dealers to know this.
After being in the country for 90 days you are allowed to buy firearms like any other permanent resident. When you go for the DROS, make sure to bring your passport with your I94 card and your hunting license.
Any time you leave the country the 90 days will reset and you will have to wait again.
3. Borrowing firearms.
If you have a hunting license it is ok to borrow firearms for a "specific purpose" as long as it's a temporary loan and the intent is not for you to take possession of the firearm. Having someone buy a firearm and then lending it to you and then later transferring to you will most certainly be considered a straw purchase! Stay Clear!
With the hunting license it's also ok to rent firearms at a range, but some ranges won't accept this anyway (Reed's is one example), so get your drivers license asap.