- Are
a foreign law enforcement officer of friendly foreign Government entering the
United States on official law enforcement business; OR
- Were
admitted to the United States for lawful hunting or sporting purposes or in possession
of a valid hunting license or permit lawfully issued in the United States.
If
you meet these two criteria, you are eligible to purchase a firearm from an FFL
to possess in the United States. However, you MAY NOT take the firearm
with you when you leave the United States unless:
- For
sporting shotguns, you have an FFL export the firearm. The FFL must obtain
an export license from the Department of Commerce (202-482-4811) prior to exportation.
-
For firearms other than sporting shotguns,
you have an FFL registered with the Department of State, Office of Defense Trade
Controls (ODTC) (202-663-2714), export the firearm. The FFL must obtain an export
license from the ODTC prior to exportation.
-
The State Department recommends that you provide the FFL with a letter from your
embassy on embassy letterhead explaining why you want to export the firearm. You
also should provide an import authorization issued by the competent Government
office in your country.
Having
a third party purchase a firearm for you from a Federal Firearms Licensee FFL)
to possess in the United States
- If
you are not eligible to purchase a firearm from an FFL to possess in the United
States, you MAY NOT have someone who is eligible purchase one for you.
If you violate this prohibition, both you and the person who purchases the firearm
for you could receive a maximum of 5 or 10 years of imprisonment, depending on
the violation.
Purchasing
a firearm from a nonlicensee to possess in the United States.
- A
nonimmigrant alien generally MAY NOT purchase a firearm from a nonlicensee
to possess in the United States. If you violate this prohibition, you could receive
a maximum of 5 or 10 years of imprisonment, depending on the violation. If you
have questions regarding possible exceptions to this prohibition, contact the
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).
Purchasing
ammunition from a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) or a nonlicensee to possess
in the United States.
- A
nonimmigrant alien generally MAY NOT purchase ammunition from an FFL or
a nonlicensee to possess in the United States. If you violate this prohibition,
you could receive a maximum of 10 years of imprisonment.
THIS
PROHIBITION APPLIES UNLESS YOU ESTABLISH THAT YOU:
-
Are an official representative of a foreign Government who is accredited to the
United States Government or your Government's mission to an international organization
having its headquarters in the United States and will possess the ammunition in
your official capacity; OR
- Are
an official of a foreign Government or a distinguished foreign visitor who has
been so designated by the Department of State and will possess the ammunition
in your official capacity (if you have an official capacity); OR
- Are
a foreign law enforcement officer of a friendly foreign Government entering the
United States on official law enforcement business; OR
- Were
admitted to the United States for lawful hunting or sporting purposes or are in
possession of a valid hunting license or permit lawfully issued in the United
States.
If
you meet these criteria, you are eligible to purchase ammunition to possess in
the United States. However, you MAY NOT take the ammunition with you when
you leave the United States unless:
- For
ammunition for sporting shotguns, you have an FFL export the ammunition. The
FFL must obtain an export license from the Department of Commerce prior to exportation.
-
For ammunition for firearms other than sporting shotguns,
you have an FFL registered with the Department of State, Office of Defense Trade
Controls (ODTC), export the ammunition. The FFL must obtain an export license
from the ODTC prior to exportation.
-
The State Department recommends that you provide the FFL with a letter from your
embassy on embassy letterhead explaining why you want to export the ammunition.
You also should provide an import authorization issued by the competent Government
office in your country.
Unlike with the purchase of firearms, there is no residency requirement for purchasing
ammunition.
Purchasing
a firearm or ammunition from a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) for exportation
- A
nonimmigrant alien generally MAY purchase a firearm or ammunition from
an FFL if the firearm/ammunition is directly exported by the FFL, so that the
nonimmigrant alien DOES NOT take possession of the firearm/ammunition in
the United
States prior to exportation.- To
export a sporting shotgun or ammunition for a sporting shotgun, the FFL from
whom you purchase the firearm/ammunition must obtain an export license from the
Department of Commerce prior to exportation.
-
To export firearms other than sporting shotguns or ammunition for firearms other
than sporting shotguns,
the FFL from whom you purchase the firearm/ammunition must be registered with
the Department of State, Office of Defense Trade Controls (ODTC). The FFL must
obtain an export license from the ODTC prior to exportation.
- The
State Department recommends that you provide the FFL with a letter from your embassy
on embassy letterhead explaining why you want to export the firearm/ammunition.
You also should provide an import authorization issued by the competent Government
office in your country.
Abiding
by State and local law
- This
brochure addresses the Federal firearms laws. There may be additional State or
local laws that affect your purchase and/or possession of firearms or ammunition.
It is your responsibility to be aware of any such laws.
Questions
- If
you have any questions about these matters, please contact:
Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
Firearms Programs Division
650 Massachusetts
Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20226
Phone: (202) 927-7770
The
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is the agency responsible for enforcing
the Federal firearms laws in the United States. It also has authority over the
importation of firearms and ammunition into the United States.