Non US citizen rules??

[Subotai]

Links for Chester,

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2006/apr/01/foreign-tourists-take-their-shot-at-gun-ranges/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FZGJbvkL7A

[gose]

Tons of foreigner's shoot on American ranges. I seriously doubt all those ranges would do this if it was against the law. Course, some here disagree. I refer to my previous post. Chester should call the ranges directly and ask them about it.

What's the point with that, other than potentially plausible deniability.? It's like asking a drug dealer if it's legal to do drugs...

If he thinks that 18 U.S.C. 922 doesnt apply, that it's an outdated law, a joke, and that the ATF interpretation of said paragraphs is completely wrong, my suggestion would be to contact the ATF.

[Subotai]

Gun ranges wouldn't know? Or worse yet, are like drug dealers?

[gose]

Gun ranges wouldn't know? Or worse yet, are like drug dealers?

Sorry... my apologies.

You should always trust gun shops and gun ranges with legal advice.

I'll go away now.

[chester2005]

is lawful sporting purposes not target practice at a range??
this is a specific exemption to being an unlawful act so surely in my case i would be ok?

[CHS]

is lawful sporting purposes not target practice at a range??
this is a specific exemption to being an unlawful act so surely in my case i would be ok?

Chester, I think you're totally fine coming over here and shooting some guns at a rental range. Check out the analysis done in post #28:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showpost.php?p=4684820&postcount=28

Target shooting is a lawful sporting purpose. And you're not renting the gun you're renting the use of a gun for a short period under the owners control while at an official range. This is very different from actually RENTING a gun. Here in the US it would be legal for me to rent a gun to my friend, meaning he would be able to take it home, sleep with it, put it in his safe, take it shooting/hunting, etc. When you go to a range to "rent" a gun to shoot, that's not a true rental which involves possession change.

[gose]

Chester, I think you're totally fine coming over here and shooting some guns at a rental range. Check out the analysis done in post #28:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showpost.php?p=4684820&postcount=28

Target shooting is a lawful sporting purpose. And you're not renting the gun you're renting the use of a gun for a short period under the owners control while at an official range. This is very different from actually RENTING a gun. Here in the US it would be legal for me to rent a gun to my friend, meaning he would be able to take it home, sleep with it, put it in his safe, take it shooting/hunting, etc. When you go to a range to "rent" a gun to shoot, that's not a true rental which involves possession change.

But that seems to contradict this (from ATF):
The statement seems to indicate a situation where you go to a range and rent a firearm at the location for use at the same location, not the different "friend rental" situation you describe.

Oh well, I promised to go away...

[OleCuss]

I just want to second the apologies to Chester.

The law sucks and he should be able to legally use a firearm for self-defense or sporting purposes while he is visiting here. Unfortunately, the law clearly puts him at risk for felony prosecution (although the risk may be small) and I recommend he not engage in such activity.

Recheck next year and the answer may be different (but I'd not bet on it).

And my thanks to gose and chainsaw for making this all very clear. The expertise is greatly appreciated.

[POLICESTATE]

So the take-away from all of this is that here in America, if you want to do anything fun, you're probably breaking some law, whether federal, state or local.

[HellnBack]

The OP is asking about range shooting & not hunting, lets talk of shooting in the range.As a visitor,legally here in cali(I-94 card) can buy a gun then how much more if he only shoots in the range. taking a class is different though,he needed a student visa but for a class of a day or two(?) Its your call Buddy.JMTC

[Rekrab]

It seems like "Possession" is a very tricky term in the legal world. While our friend from across the pond may have actual possession, it seems as though the actual owner would still maintain constructive possession.

I had no idea there was so much to it: http://legal-dictionary.thefreedicti...com/possession

[kel-tec-innovations]

Wrong. In order for a person to have possession of a gun, they need to either be a US citizen (let's skip over the various prohibited categories like felons), or be a permanent resident (colloquially known as "green card"), or they have to have a valid hunting license from a state in the US. And the moment you rent or borrow a gun, you have possession of it.

This is federal law. Look it up in some ATF rule book, or contact the ATF. Since it is federal law, it also applies in Las Vegas.

Now, some shooting ranges are ignorant of this rule, and are willing to rent guns to non-residents without hunting licenses. That's a serious crime in the making.

I don't know how difficult it is to obtain a hunting license for a non-resident (tourist). The class typically takes a weekend, but I don't know whether non-residents are even allowed to take it. The only person I know who is a non-resident with a US hunting license got his hunting license by bringing a hunting license from his country of origin to California, and since his country has much more stringent rules for hunting licenses, he was issued a license without having to take the class.

If you want to do gun training while traveling: Israel has some very good programs that cater to foreigners. I have no personal experience with that, but a German friend of mine did a few training classes there.

Its renting not owning or possessing, besides there is a fire arms instructor by the renter majority of the time if not all the time

[Mssr. Eleganté]

Its renting not owning or possessing, besides there is a fire arms instructor by the renter majority of the time if not all the time

So, you're saying that convicted felons also can rent a gun to shoot as long as the instructor stands right next to them? What about ammo? Are they renting the ammo or owning/possessing it?

[chester2005]

many thanks for all the comments i will give it some more thought, and weigh up the possibilities.
i still want to go to a range and shoot things that are stupidly illegal to own in the UK
if it is common practice at ranges for non resident aliens then it would seem as long as there are no issues when i am there it seems highly unlikely for it to be a problem.

Chester

[norcal.xd]

or make some friends with someone who owns an ar or ak