ando88

I live in Alabama and have done so for the past 3 years. I've fired many guns from automatic, to shotguns and sidearms. I've accepted that close to 20% of my church congregation has one concealed on a sunday though never really has it occurred to me until recently that maybe it is time I owned one myself. I am not gun savvy enough or comfortable enough to have a conceal and carry permit/weapon. But to have one lying around the house as protection, I have begun to see a need as a tool of self-defence/intimidation.

As a non-American and no-resident, what rights do I have? Or do rights only come after becoming a permanent resident?

Appreciate your comments in advanced.

sir_eccles

Do you have children? The statistics on children killed by gun lying around their own houses aren't pretty. If as you say you aren't that comfortable handling one why get one? More likely to shoot yourself.

That said you'll need to check local laws.

Michael

Who Cannot Have a Gun in America? - U.S. Government Info/Resources

Alabama’s New Gun Law: What You Need to Know | WHNT.com

Do I have to be a citizen to obtain a concealed weapons permit? No. If you are not a citizen, the sheriff will conduct an Immigration Alien Query through the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency and the application will require more paperwork.

§13A-11-75. “(d) If a person who is not a United States citizen applies for a permit under this section, the sheriff shall conduct an Immigration Alien Query through U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or any successor agency, and the application form shall require information relating to the applicant’s country of citizenship, place of birth, and any alien or admission number issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or any successor agency. The sheriff shall review the results of these inquiries before making a determination of whether to issue a permit or renewal permit. A person who is unlawfully present in this state may not be issued a permit under this section.

ando88

No I don't have children, I live alone

And believe you me, these are worries I've always had. but living alone and knowing everyone but me has a gun, makes me feel unsafe at times!

scrubbedexpat099

I see you are on a E3, no idea about the laws in Alabama but I would imagine it would be gun friendly.

I did the Concealed Carry Course and would recommend it I am friends with the people who ran it, much better than the ones you get at gun shows which are there to meet the minimum requirements.

Mine was held at a Christian Camp which I thought was quite funny, has its own gun range.

English88

I'm currently on an L1 in Florida and own a few guns and have concealed weapons permit course booked for next week (although I imagine I would carry very rarely, I mainly want to eliminate the 5 day wait my county requires).

The process here was that I had to obtain hunting permit (easily done online) and stores were unfamiliar with the law so had to make a few calls but overall it wasn't difficult.

Alabama is probably slightly different but I can't imagine you'll have trouble getting one. What are you thinking of?

AlphaTangoMike

I would suggest that before you go out and purchase a gun, that you spend some time and money on a training class. You'll find that the 'better' concealed carry classes will give you a good understanding of the law (relevant for your state), safety and proper usage.

I'd also suggest that you buy a safe. Even if it's one of the handgun vault types. It's better to have your firearm secured than 'lying around the house'.

The laws for Alabama:
http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/alabama.pdf

English88

Not much good for protection if it's locked up though. I keep my handguns locked away but my shotgun is on a high shelf in the master bedroom's walk-in closet. In the extremely (to the extent that it's almost laughable) unlikely event of someone breaking into my home to harm me or my wife (if they want the TV they can take it) it's readily available.

I agree it shouldn't just be lying around on a table or something though.

AlphaTangoMike

I agree completely. Generally if at home, the gun is on the person (or within reach - assuming no kids), if out and going to a 'no firearms' type of place, then it should be secured.

Pulaski

To the OP, there's your answer for home defence. Don't get taken in by arguments over which pistol is better for home defence when what you need is a short-barrel (18") "tactical" shotgun. Instead of hoping that, in the stress of the moment, your bullets are going to hit the intruder, a shotgun will deliver a scatter of buckshot pellets about the size of a saucer at 30ft, so you are massively more likely to hit your target, and hit it somewhere that will "stop" it.

I note that you say you're not "comfortable" enough for concealed carry. If you are not comfortable with the likelihood of killing someone you shoot then please don't buy a gun. Aiming to stop, but not kill, an intruder is unrealistic outside of Hollywood, and in the event you home is broken into it is likely to get you hurt, or worse. In short, only shoot living targets with the intention of killing them as efficiently as possible.

Englishmum

I have to say that I'm appalled that anyone would want to keep a gun at home.

Just get a burglar alarm, light and motion detectors, perhaps pepper spray if you are so concerned FFS



Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America


http://momsdemandaction.org/faces-of-courage/ Sad, sad stories

Pulaski

Agreed. Once you have bought one, it only makes sense to get a concealed carry permit and take it out and about with you.

AlphaTangoMike

Englishmum

SultanOfSwing

Appalled is a bit strong. The guy lives alone, nobody is likely to get hold of it, and beyond an intruder, the only person he's likely to hurt is himself, at which point we hand out a Darwin award and thank him for thinning the herd.

It's always easy to point out how bad and evil guns (an inanimate piece of mechanical engineering) are, but if I was to start a thread asking for advice on what bow to buy as I'm thinking of taking up archery again, nobody would bat an eyelid. I can hit gold on a target at 40m; I could easily kill someone with an arrow. Amazingly though, I never have and never intend to ...