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Can a L1 Visa holder in Texas , use his Girlfriends registered handgun at a licensed gunrange ?

Welcome to the forum.

Any legal visitor to the U.S. can shoot a firearm at a range in the company of the rightful owner.

This is quite the popular entertainment for foreign visitors to my company.

They also can get a hunting license and do quite a bit more, depending upon visa type.

There is no such thing as a registered firearm in Texas. If the owner can legally possess a firearm and the weapon is not stolen or something like that, it is legal.

- Jim

Thank you for the reply, but normally my girlfriend would not be present ...... but i would have full permission to use the handgun ..... would this still be ok ?

mikey1969 wrote:Can a L1 Visa holder in Texas , use his Girlfriends registered handgun at a licensed gunrange ?

If they're not a felon (which I assume would invalidate a L1 visa) I don't know any laws prohibiting someone with a non immigrant work visa from firing a handgun at a range. They may not purchase a firearm (except under very specific circumstances) but shooting isn't a problem if the gun owner is present. If the owner is not present, it's may be a gray area unless the alien has a hunting license, so I think they should get a hunting license to be safe. Whatever state is cheapest/easiest is fine, if he doesn't plan to hunt.

mikey1969 wrote:Thank you for the reply, but normally my girlfriend would not be present ...... but i would have full permission to use the handgun ..... would this still be ok ?

I think you would be on thin ice there.

Texas law is silent on the immigration status of someone possessing a weapon at home, in a vehicle, etc.

However, 18 U.S.C. § 922 prohibits non-immigrant aliens from possessing firearms except under very restricted circumstances.

I am not a lawyer, etc.

You could rent a firearm at a range unless the range didn't want to do it. Many range operators are not clear on the legality of this kind of thing.

- Jim

Thank you Seamustx & Boba for your input which i found very interesting and informative

You're welcome.

Federal firearms laws are pretty obscure. I can't say I really understand them, but I never take chances with them to the degree that I think I do.

Good shooting, anyway. Do you mind if I ask where you are from?

- Jim

If you can prove 6+ months residency in Texas (pay stubs or utility bills in your name) getting a plain vanilla Texas resident hunting license for $25/year is probably the path of least resistance to making sure you're legal under Texas and US law. I know it makes no sense that a hunting license will make you legal to possess a handgun (including MPA carry I think) but it's the government so it doesn't have to make sense.

Best wishes.

Jim i am from the UK and have been living in Texas for 19 months now. Boba your suggestions seems to be the best but i reckon i need a non resident hunting license due to my L1 Visa status....... i will be seeking a residence visa soon though

Again thanks to all

Boba, may i ask what MPA law is ........ i am not familiar with this term

It looks like you get a fairly comprehensive exemption with a hunting license. Here's the ATF FAQ:

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/nonimmi ... possession" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I would just recommend driving very carefully. Even if you are completely legal, a cop might not understand the law and might frown on a foreigner cruising around with a weapon in the car.

I didn't know L1 visas could go that long. The people I knew who had them were here only for a few months.

BTW, I worked quite a bit in the U.K., mostly in Hertfordshire, in the 1980s. I loved it. Of course, I was mostly spending my employer's money.

- Jim

If he has a Texas DL, that would simplify matters, both for getting a Texas resident hunting license and MPA. On the other hand, tooling around with a foreign DL + IDP might invite unwanted questions.

You guys have been great ........ i agree with the general consensus ....... better safe than sorry when arms are concerned . I will pursue the hunting license route which seems to satisfy US legal requirements.

Good evening to all !

ps I have a texas DL which should help

Sorry to be late joining in, btu I thought I would chime in with another answer. I usually prefer to read the actual law when i have a legal question of this type, rather than relying on some agency FAQ. The appropriate section of the US Code is located at:
http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/uscode/18/I/44/922" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Note section (y)(2) which says the bans do not apply if you have a hunting license or were admitted to participate in a sporting event. It does list the specific bans and which do not apply if you read that whole section of law.

And in this case, it looks like the ATF FAQ was pretty accurate. You still cannot buy a gun from a licensed dealer, but you can borrow one and use it if you want to. But invest in a hunting license as the cheapest way around the non-immigrant bans.