Amidst last week’s cleanup of the shutdowns of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, a crypto-related detail didn’t get much attention: And lo, Signature’s buyer did indeed end the bank’s crypto support:Open Source Defense is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
> For example, here in Austin, TX one of the largest FFLs in the city has stopped selling guns to people on nonimmigrant visas
I'm a resident of Austin, TX who legally purchased a firearm from an FFL while on a nonimmigrant visa, AMA
It was actually a nightmare to figure out if I could even do this legally. Reading the relevant law was incredibly confusing and ambiguous but seemed to suggest it was legal with a valid hunting permit. But I don't want the ATF to shoot my dog, so I consulted with three separate lawyers, who gave me three separate answers: ("probably no", "definitely no", and "legal grey area but the local cops probably think the answer is no so play it safe and don't buy one anyway").
After two years of living here thinking I couldn't legally own a gun, I started talking to a gun shop dude I've been friends with and just asked him. And he said, yeah I can totally sell you one, just need your i94 document and your valid hunting license, and you get an enhanced background check.
I do have a related legal question about the nonimmigrant visa thing. I have never been able to get a straight answer on this
Let's say I am a citizen of another country, say somewhere in Europe where guns are hard to get. If I come to the US as a tourist, I enter the US on a non-immigrant (tourist) visa
If "individuals lawfully admitted to the United States on a non-immigrant visa" (I believe that's the phrase in law) are required to have a hunting permit to _possess_ a firearm.... how do all these foreigners legally _rent_ firearms at ranges?
I know this is a thing that's commonplace. I've been with Europeans visiting for the first time, we've gone to ranges, the ranges have rented them equipment without issue. But a strict reading of the relevant law would suggest that this is a very bad felony. What's going on there?
> For example, here in Austin, TX one of the largest FFLs in the city has stopped selling guns to people on nonimmigrant visas
I'm a resident of Austin, TX who legally purchased a firearm from an FFL while on a nonimmigrant visa, AMA
It was actually a nightmare to figure out if I could even do this legally. Reading the relevant law was incredibly confusing and ambiguous but seemed to suggest it was legal with a valid hunting permit. But I don't want the ATF to shoot my dog, so I consulted with three separate lawyers, who gave me three separate answers: ("probably no", "definitely no", and "legal grey area but the local cops probably think the answer is no so play it safe and don't buy one anyway").
After two years of living here thinking I couldn't legally own a gun, I started talking to a gun shop dude I've been friends with and just asked him. And he said, yeah I can totally sell you one, just need your i94 document and your valid hunting license, and you get an enhanced background check.
So that's what I did
I do have a related legal question about the nonimmigrant visa thing. I have never been able to get a straight answer on this
Let's say I am a citizen of another country, say somewhere in Europe where guns are hard to get. If I come to the US as a tourist, I enter the US on a non-immigrant (tourist) visa
If "individuals lawfully admitted to the United States on a non-immigrant visa" (I believe that's the phrase in law) are required to have a hunting permit to _possess_ a firearm.... how do all these foreigners legally _rent_ firearms at ranges?
I know this is a thing that's commonplace. I've been with Europeans visiting for the first time, we've gone to ranges, the ranges have rented them equipment without issue. But a strict reading of the relevant law would suggest that this is a very bad felony. What's going on there?