They have moved here from Shanghai, China, where they have lived for the past 5-6 years, and they will be living here in the metroplex for the next 5-6 years. When their time here is up, they will eventually relocate to another country.....just because that is the nature of his job. Lufthansa moves him around every few years. But the husband said something that I found curious. He said that he had already looked into whether or not they would be allowed to own a firearm for home defense while they are living here, and he said that he was told that he could not. That doesn't sound right to me. He said that he didn't absolutely need one and that he's OK if he can't, but I'm not familiar enough with his gun rights (if any) as a foreign national living here on an extended visa.
What I was able to find was this BATFE quote:
If I understand this correctly, if my neighbor purchases a hunting license, he can then purchase a firearm. Is that correct? Can someone clarify this for me?May a nonimmigrant alien who has been admitted to the United States under a nonimmigrant alien visa purchase or possess a firearm in the U.S. ?
An alien admitted to the United States under a nonimmigrant visa is not prohibited from purchasing, receiving, or possessing a firearm if the alien falls within one of the following exceptions: (1) is in possession of a hunting license or permit lawfully issued by the Federal Government, a State, or local government, or an Indian tribe federally recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which is valid and unexpired; (2) was admitted to the United States for lawful hunting or sporting purposes; (3) has received a waiver from the prohibition from the Attorney General of the United States; (4) is an official representative of a foreign government who is accredited to the United States Government or the Government’s mission to an international organization having its headquarters in the United States; (5) is en route to or from another country to which that alien is accredited; (6) is an official of a foreign government or a distinguished foreign visitor who has been so designated by the Department of State; or (7) is a foreign law enforcement officer of a friendly foreign government entering the United States on official law enforcement business.
In addition, a nonimmigrant alien legally in the United States with or without a nonimmigrant visa may lawfully acquire a firearm only if he/she meets State of residence requirements as required by the Federal government. For more information, see ATF Ruling 2010-6 at: https://www.atf.gov/files/regulations-r ... 2010-6.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.
