What states allow residents to buy and own firearms?

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The Viking

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I signed up for the green card lottery a few months back. Still waiting for an answer. Guess they'll only tell me if I've gotten the card. But, I'm planning anyway. So, what states allow permanent residents to buy and own firearms? Can I buy NFA stuff as well?
 
Not really sure, but Cali, NY and NJ, doesn't appeal to me much...their laws are equal to, or worse than the ones here. Oregon and Washington seems nice. So does Colorado and Arizona. The climate doesn't matter much. I think I can get used to hotter or colder climates :D.
 
One thing I will suggest is that you go to packing.org and read up. It is mostly dedicated to concealed carry issues but it is broken down by states and will give you a good starting point.

Second, I recomend taking a look at the Brady Campaign web site. Any state with a low C,D or F rating are highly recomended for those of us that support the RKBA.

Can I buy NFA stuff as well?
Click to expand...

Yes. It requires a background check and a one time tax stamp of $200.00.

BTW, I am from Texas and can highly recomend moving here...as long as you enjoy oppressive heat and unpredictable weather.
 
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Arms are available to most residents of all states.

The question is, "how much hassle will they give you, and what sort of restrictions will they pile up?"

These restrictions come in various flavors, and along various axis. (ie: license to own in some states, not most, license to carry in most states, NFA varies across the board, there's a sprinkling of state level AWBs, some states get their panties in a twist over handguns, but not long guns, etc)

There's some 20,000 odd laws & regulations on the books. Better get reading. :)

Insanely Restrictive:
--------------------

Washington, DC (You can, after much agony, get a license to own a disassembled shotgun locked in a safe in one room of your house.)

Chicago, IL (No handguns, FOID, etc)

Generally Restrictive:
--------------------
NJ, NYC, NY, MD, CA, MA, IL

Moderately Restrictive:
----------------------
CT

Just about everyone else will weigh in between "gun neutral" and "gun friendly"

VT & AK are by far the friendliest.
 
Big Reno: Thanks for the advice. Hadn't thought about looking at the Brady site.
Yes. It requires a background check and a one time tax stamp of $200.00.
Click to expand...
And about 15000$ to buy an M16 or an MP5 :(.

LAR-15: Thanks again :).
Maybe I should get some guns while I'm still here, and take them with me...saves me the 3 months of residency required. I simply assume that I can buy ammo without needing to show electricity bills for the past three months? (How about BP firearms? btw. Are they subject to the same restrictions). They are better than a sharp stick...
 
Insanely Restrictive:
--------------------

Washington, DC (You can, after much agony, get a license to own a disassembled shotgun locked in a safe in one room of your house.)

Chicago, IL (No handguns, FOID, etc)

Generally Restrictive:
--------------------
NJ, NYC, NY, MD, CA, MA, IL
Click to expand...
I know about the restrictive states and cities, what with all the rantings and tantrums against them here:evil:, but I appreciate the help and advice :)
 
You'd probably like Florida, we got an F+ from Brady campaign and the laws are pretty good. You also have the right to shoot an intruder if your life is in danger without the fear of being prosecuted. The only downside is 3 day wait on handguns (unless you have CCW) and no open carry. Other than that, our gun laws are pretty lean. If you hate really hot weather, you may like the panhandle region of Florida as it gets to the 50's or lower around winter though occasionally in the warmer temperature even in winter, and then pretty hot around summer though I may have to warn you the panhandle is full of rednecks. Not sure about the rest of Florida but my friends enjoying Orlando and he's a firearm owner.

Stay away from Chicago, not a good place to live. Trust me I grew up there.

Also good luck on the green card entry, it sucks that it's so difficult for someone like yourself who comes from a European country who more than likely has an education and appears to know English well yet we have illegal aliens and Mexicans here that bash this country and speak Spanish.
 
Black powder muzzle loaders can be bought and sold freely in most places by anyone.
 
Unless it has changed recently, MA you have to be a US citizen to get an LTC/FID and be allowed to purchase or posess firearms or ammuntion.

MA has plenty of reasons to aviod if you like guns anyways..

ME is not too bad, nor is NH or VT, if you want a change of seasons.

For good all around gun laws, FL is hard to beat, as is TX (have been stationed on both states)
 
The way things are going U.S. gun laws will be like Sweden's in a few years:uhoh:. Is Finland an option for you? I've read that they have common ownership of firearms. :)


Seriously, stay clear of Illinois (where I'm at), California, New York (city), and Mass. and you'll be OK. In my area ( the Midwest) Indiana is pretty good about guns. The local regulations that apply to foreign residents can be more restrictive in different states.

If you want a answer about regulations that would apply to your situation you should contact the Attorney Genral for the state you are planning to reside in (as well as the ATF). In general, if you are a hunter, you will have an easier time as this provides a 'reason' for you to be armed.

Good luck!
 
WA State

IIRC only AOW's are allowed, ie pen guns, short shotguns, don't quote me on that though...

You also acquire an "Alien Firearms License" as a non-permanent or permanent resident..

I will be getting a new one this year... only 3 more years until I become naturalized...

:banghead: Dumb laws.. but I have to follow them...
 
My wife is a resident alien and can buy guns with the same restrictions as a citizen and can get a CCW if I would let her.

Legal residents are not discriminated against here in Florida but Orlando sucks as far as quality of life goes
 
AZ is gun friendly BIG time. Hey, if you need a job, my Dept will hire resident aliens, as well. Seriously - I know of three in my unit alone. Never know when we might need a resident speaker of Scandinavian languages...hole that might need filling.http://adcprisoninfo.az.gov/newindex.asp
Resident aliens can purchase firearms, but you'll need a few months of residential bills as well, so resign yourself to a short term of carrying pepper spray, (Also completely legal in AZ), until you are "legit".
Of course, if you get hired by DOC...you don't need a CCW permit. But that's OK, as open carry is legal for all law abiding citizens, and resident aliens, too.;)
C'mon over! :)
 
Gun friendly states: Well, just about any of them compared to the rest of the world.
The guys have already listed most of the areas to stay out of. However, one in particular needs to be mentioned. Washington, DC. Handguns are forbidden. Shotguns and Rifles are legal, but they have to be registered and disassembled.

The Southwest seems to be the strongest, with TX, AZ, and NM having nice gun laws. The Southeast isn't too bad either. VA (where I live) has some of the better Concealed Carry laws in the country. FL is also friendly.

If you like Northern climates, being from Sweden, then AK and VT are probably your idea of heaven. No permits required for Concealed Carry.
 
+1 for New Mexico...

I was born and raised here. It's a nice place. Gun laws are good, self defence laws are good. We don't need to pass a "castle doctrine" law here, we already have that from Statehood day one.

You can carry in your car any way you like, it's considered and extension of your home. Have that full-auto UZI and the tax stamp for it? You can stick it under your seat locked and loaded and go for a ride.:evil:

NFA stuff is good here. The prices are through the roof everywhere since that :cuss: 1986 manufacture ban, but there a couple of well stocked dealers in or near Albuquerque. Also, if you own it legally, an NFA weapon is just another weapon. You can carry it, shoot it, use for self defense if need be.

One other reason I like it here is the attitude of law enforcment towards gun ownership and carry. Polite neutrality is the WORST response I've had. It's more like show and tell time with some officers. I recently had an officer ask me if I CCWed at work, and then strongly suggested I do so. (when I can afford a quality pocket pistol that I can hide properly I WILL carry).

I'm not sure what the laws and rules are about bringing guns in with you from another country. Follow this link: http://www.bdlltd.com The fellow who runs this web site is an importer and dealer. He is a good fellow withwhom I have done business in the past. He should be able to at least advise you where to start.
 
Legal residents here in Texas can.

But, isn't that a federal thing - when U fill out the paperwork to buy a gun, that's a federal form...
 
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