RANT: Buying a gun as permanent resident

**Skang** · 01-05-10, 21:01

Okay, first English is my second language. So please understand.

Today was my day off, so i drove 50-mins to the gun shop that who can order me a HK P30L. Other shops that close to my house were not able to get it.

10:30am I get my License and CCW permit, and drove to the gun shop.

i walked in and talked to the guy who i was talking to on the phone before.

So, we started to fill out paper work. Then on the bottom it need Alien number. I forgot to bring it!!!!

Drove back to home and got my alien card. They asked me i need Alien firearm license card. I told him "NO" law has been changed since last June or July. So he checks out and told me no problem. (i asked him was i the 1st guy buying a gun who is non-citizen? he said "yeah" lol)

btw i even had CCW permit. wtf otherwise they would not issue it to me.

Okay,so far so good. Second page, he asked me i need proof of 90days that i was here. (paper said, bank statement, house bill. ...... works)

Okay.......So i drove to bank near by asked them to print me a statement. Cool!! drove back.

Owner called the FBI asked them is my bank statement okay? they said "NO" wtf?
So i asked them if my car registration okay? Sure! (damn it!!! its not under my name)

Okay then i dont know what to bring for proof that i was here more than 90days. (DL not work, Alien card no work(wtf why?) it had to be non-picture nor state issue) ORLY?

He called FBI like 4 times. Every time he calls FBI they give him different answers. YA`RLY.

So they decide to okay on credit card statement. (wtf all same whats wrong with my bank statement)

Today i spend 6hours in the gun shop trying to figure it out how i can buy a gun.: Seller was very nice and helpful. ( tomorrow after work i going there again with the credit card statement.

**Mjolnir** · 01-05-10, 22:07

You need to seek BATFE counsel.

However, I worked with a friend's gun store and there were several such as yourself who I observed and participated in a sale.

Proof of Address would be rent payments, mortgage payments, utility bills. They MIGHT accept phone records (land line). I don't recall.

Bank statements would probably work but you have too much private info with that so I wouldn't advise that route.

Hope this helps.

**YVK** · 01-05-10, 23:59

I had bought several firearms when I was permanent resident. Copies of electric or gas bills for previous 3 months and copy of "green card" was all that I've ever needed. I have never had any problems.

**Skang** · 01-06-10, 00:39

Originally Posted by Mjolnir

Bank statements would probably work but you have too much private info with that so I wouldn't advise that route.

Hope this helps.

That's what i worried too.

However, i dig the paper mountain and found house gas bill

Do i send original or copy? well, gun shop did not ask me of green card copy also thought they wrote number down on the paper and saw my card.

**Artos** · 01-06-10, 09:05

Skang,

I would call your local atf directly and seek guidance....Try to set up a personal visit. There is a form buyers can fill out if they are tired of all the nics delays and this may be a good 'long term' option for you for future purchases.

**joffe** · 01-06-10, 10:13

I don't know what state you live in, but if you're in the right state you could go to a gun show or make a private purchase.

**Von Rheydt** · 01-06-10, 15:28

I recall a chat with the, now retired, owner of the gun store and range where I shoot over there. He was a retired LEO and had set up the range, so I assumed he knew the law.

I said to him "So Bill, what paperwork do I need to show you to buy a gun from you"?

He said, New York accent, "Hey I ****ing know ya, thats good enough".

Lets say I was surprised.

**CarlosDJackal** · 01-06-10, 15:47

Originally Posted by Skang

That's what i worried too.

However, i dig the paper mountain and found house gas bill

Do i send original or copy? well, gun shop did not ask me of green card copy also thought they wrote number down on the paper and saw my card.

It is against the law to copy such documents as your Alien Registration card (ie: Green Card) or your Certificate of naturalization except when being used for employment purposes (verification purposes).

A state issues CCW or CHP does not mean anything to the Feds which is why they don't consider that as proof of residency.

Unfortunately, you have no choice but to go through the proper steps to legally obtain a firearm because of your status as a Resident Alien. It's just the way the system works and IMHO, it would have been a good idea to get this type of information before driving the 50-miles to that Gun Shop.

When I was in the same status as you are now, I made sure that I knew what I needed to purchase a firearm before I did so. I did the same thing when I moved to my current state (Virginia) even though I had been a Naturalized Citizen by then. I guess I would put this in the "Lesson Learned" column.