Firearms for Canadians (rental, felony, to buy)

[mjd2k]

Hi, we have a vacation place in AZ and are getting AZ resident licenses (for golf discounts). I have never felt I needed a firearm for self defence but I just love the idea of plinking away out in the desert (safely of course).

I have been getting mixed advice about whether I can buy one or not.

Does anyone know if this is legal?

Thanks

[bigDwiki]

E. The department of public safety shall issue a permit to an applicant who meets all of the following conditions:

1. Is a resident of this state or a United States citizen.

2. Is twenty-one years of age or older.

3. Is not under indictment for and has not been convicted in any jurisdiction of a felony unless that conviction has been expunged, set aside or vacated or the applicant's rights have been restored and the applicant is currently not a prohibited possessor under state or federal law.

4. Does not suffer from mental illness and has not been adjudicated mentally incompetent or committed to a mental institution.

5. Is not unlawfully present in the United States.

6. Has ever demonstrated competence with a firearm as prescribed by subsection N of this section and provides adequate documentation that the person has satisfactorily completed a training program or demonstrated competence with a firearm in any state or political subdivision in the United States. For the purposes of this paragraph, "adequate documentation" means:

(a) A current or expired permit issued by the department of public safety pursuant to this section.

(b) An original or copy of a certificate, card or document that shows the applicant has ever completed any course or class prescribed by subsection N of this section or an affidavit from the instructor, school, club or organization that conducted or taught the course or class attesting to the applicant's completion of the course or class.

(c) An original or a copy of a United States department of defense form 214 (DD-214) indicating an honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions, a certificate of completion of basic training or any other document demonstrating proof of the applicant's current or former service in the United States armed forces as prescribed by subsection N, paragraph 5 of this section.

(d) An original or a copy of a concealed weapon, firearm or handgun permit or a license as prescribed by subsection N, paragraph 6 of this section.

[bigDwiki]

You wouldn't qualify. You have to be here more than half the year to be a resident.

[ji603]

You're right that he wouldn't qualify, but not exactly vis a vis the reason why.

He's a non-immigrant resident, and non US citizen. Whether he's an 'Arizona resident' is immaterial, because one doesn't need an Arizona license to own a firearm, and the language you quoted is from the CCW permit statute.

What you do need though, to buy a firearm from an FFL, is to be a US citizen, a permanent resident (who's lived here for >90 days) w/such status through ICE/CBP, or a foreigner with a hunting license. The hunting license exception is the one that OP should pursue.

This has been brought up before on CD - I'm sure there's a thread.


ETA - here's the thread. It's older, so some material is outdated now. A Canadian chimes in around page 11-12 or so...

//www.city-data.com/forum/arizo...n-laws-12.html

[AZ Tracy]

Originally Posted by mjd2k

Hi, we have a vacation place in AZ and are getting AZ resident licenses (for golf discounts). I have never felt I needed a firearm for self defence but I just love the idea of plinking away out in the desert (safely of course).

I have been getting mixed advice about whether I can buy one or not.

Does anyone know if this is legal?

Thanks

If you don't think you need it for self defense, then just go to a shooting range and plink away to your hearts content.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by AZ Tracy

If you don't think you need it for self defense, then just go to a shooting range and plink away to your hearts content.

And go to jail. It is a felony for a non-immigrant, non citizen to possess a firearm under the Brady law unless they have a valid US hunting license and the gun is use for hunting.

[rjrcm]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

And go to jail. It is a felony for a non-immigrant, non citizen to possess a firearm under the Brady law unless they have a valid US hunting license and the gun is use for hunting.

But can they rent and use one at a range? I don't own a gun, but I rent and shoot at a range.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by rjrcm

But can they rent and use one at a range? I don't own a gun, but I rent and shoot at a range.

I didn't notice the "range" in the post. I think it would still be illegal (possession) but that is above my legal knowledge. Foreigners certainly can't have one to go out in the desert as the OP asked about. Having said that, the odds of being bothered by LE out in the desert are near zero. But driving there could put you in jeopardy if you get stopped for a traffic violation and the cops see the gun and your CDN drivers license.

[rjrcm]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

I didn't notice the "range" in the post....

Right, that was brought up as an alternative. The OP could call some ranges to check if interested.

[keninaz]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

And go to jail. It is a felony for a non-immigrant, non citizen to possess a firearm under the Brady law unless they have a valid US hunting license and the gun is use for hunting.

What he was referring to I am sure is a rental range where they rent guns to you for use while you are there.
What code is violated by this?