mrken30

Unfortunately just because something is legal at a federal level does not make it legal at the State level. As I stated, Washington, even a green card holder will spend time in jail for owning a gun. The feds only get involved crossing from State to State. I assume you did not cross at the Washington border.

Also because something is illegal, it does not prevent people breaking the law either willingly or through ignorance.

lansbury

RCW 9.41.173


Alien possession of firearms—Alien firearm license—Political subdivisions may not modify requirements—Penalty for false statement.



(1) In order to obtain an alien firearm license, a nonimmigrant alien residing in Washington must apply to the sheriff of the county in which he or she resides.


(2) The sheriff of the county shall within sixty days after the filing of an application of a nonimmigrant alien residing in the state of Washington, issue an alien firearm license to such person to carry or possess a firearm for the purposes of hunting and sport shooting. The license shall be good for two years. The issuing authority shall not refuse to accept completed applications for alien firearm licenses during regular business hours. An application for a license may not be denied, unless the applicant's alien firearm license is in a revoked status,

Anian

Thanks lansbury. There was a situation a few years ago where aliens couldn't obtain the license because some authority in the process refused to do the background check. It was sorted out though and now aliens can buy and own firearms in WA.

mrken30

But only for hunting or sports shooting. That probably excludes hand guns and any type of "home defense" style weapon. Many States have different rules for hunting and CCW/CCH permit holders. I think Oregon you may have to go to a hunting course now to get a hunting permit. I wonder if the same applies in WA. Could you get away with having guns if you don't go hunting or belong to a club in WA?

scrubbedexpat099

There is some fudge factor, I know there is in Southern Colorado where roads zig zag across the border with New Mexico.

chawkins99

I bought my first gun in Alabama while a non-immigrant (H1 visa). IIRC I was required to purchase a hunting license first and completed a background check.
However, I could not get a CCW at the time as Alabama was a 'may-issue' state and the sheriff's policy was not to issue to non-citizens. Alabama later changed to a 'shall-issue' state and I was able to obtain a CCW while still a non-immigrant.

mrken30

Did you buy a CCW weapon with a hunting license? Just curious.

chawkins99

Yes. A 9mm S&W pistol. Confused me too.

Anian

I think you have to be a member of a shooting club, but that would allow you to own handguns as well as rifles. No shortage of clubs around, even in urban areas, not hard or expensive to become a member.

mrken30

I wonder if other restricted classes can also use the hunting loophole.

lansbury

Where did you get that from the same place as "being jailed for possessing a gun". I have no idea if it would exclude a hand gun or not, although Glock list several of their pistols as suitable for competitive shooting.

mrken30

I was visualizing going hunting with a hand gun, but yes you are correct pistol competitions are quite popular. I would assume you have to be a member of a club, but who knows. I am also assuming that you have to renew your hunting license every year in order to keep the gun for hunting purposes?

I referenced the source for gun possession in WA being a felony. You have shown that not everything on the internet can be trusted.

scrubbedexpat099

The one thing that is obvious is that all this varies by State, I know my State rules which are different.

A Hunting License for Big Game is specific to a particular season, now you can get annual ones for small game.

mrken30

So when people talk about gun laws in the US, they do not realize that they vary by each State. A lot of laws are set at State level, which is probably where changes need to be made first.

scrubbedexpat099

Well there seems a lot of misunderstanding, Colorado has already enacted strict gun control laws.