Non-US Citizen Wanting To Buy A Handgun.

[fldquy157]

Dear all,

We just moved here from Australia July last year. Initially, we had no intention to buy a handgun. However, last night the people living just right next to us had an attempted break-in by a drug addict.

So, we are now seriously thinking of having something to protect us (rather to scare the guy away) from such an incident. Most of the times, we would keep the gun in the house except we might take it with us to a shooting range like probably 1-2 times a year.

By the way, we are looking at getting something like a 9mm Beretta 92FS pistol or just about anything that would look OK in the eye of the officer.

We would like to know if we can buy a hand gun in IN. We are in Columbus, Bartholomew County, IN. I would be the licensee (or if my wife is also allowed, we might both be). We have an IN driver license and are on a work visa.

We also would like to know what kind of license we would need to apply for as well. If carrying to a shooting range will make the application more difficult we might as well keep it at home for personal defence only.

Thank you very much in advance.

Best regards,
fld.

[Lars]

That's a great series of questions for a first post.

As I understand Indiana Handgun Law. Anyone who is a resident of Indiana, or works within the state of Indiana can apply for, and provided they meet the other criteria be issued a License to Carry. (I recommend the lifetime Unlimited protection license)

As for buying a handgun as a legal alien. That's likely a question for one of our 01FFL members. Karlsgunbunker should know the federal law regarding selling to legal aliens within the United States.

[Paul]

You can buy one from a private seller. Im not sure about buying from a licensed gun dealer or about a carry license.

[Lars]

While I'm at it..... from Fishers.

[Fenway]

First of all welcome to Indiana and the forum fld. Great to have you here! You are about to get a lot of advice so buckle up and enjoy the ride.

opcorn2:

Originally Posted by fldquy157

By the way, we are looking at getting something like a 9mm Beretta 92FS pistol or just about anything that would look OK in the eye of the officer.

[fldquy157]

Thx a lot guys. Your posts and inputs are greatly appreciated.

[Pami]

Welcome to the site!

Pending verification from those more knowledgeable than me of being able to attain the LTCHs....

Both you AND your wife should get the Lifetime Unlimited LTCH.

Going to the range will not make the application process more difficult.

And I *strongly* encourage you to go to the range more than once or twice a year. If someone breaks in to your home and you actually NEED to defend yourself, you should be sure you can actually handle the firearm you choose to own and that you'll actually hit the bad guy, not your wife, cat, dog, or random child in the neighborhood.

And take a training class or three.

[Lars]

It's also worth noting. No permit is required to Own a firearm, or keep it in your home.

I'm just not sure the federal regulations, if any, that apply to non-citizens purchasing firearms from dealers.


Regarding what to choose for a firearm. Might I suggest a Glock. Something greater than 50% of all police departments in the country issue them to their officers. Otherwise a Sig Sauer P226/P229 is a close second for common Duty weapons.

Also both have a tendency to go bang with boring monotony. Which is and should be the first criteria when selecting a firearm for defensive purposes.

For in the home, you might also seriously consider a pump action shotgun such as the Remington 870, or Mossberg 500. Both are exceptionally common, and as long as you avoid the "tactical, Swat, Mall Ninja" models won't have a stigma attached to them.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by W9ZEB

Regarding what to choose for a firearm. Might I suggest a Glock. Something greater than 50% of all police departments in the country issue them to their officers. Otherwise a Sig Sauer P226/P229 is a close second for common Duty weapons.

+1 Glock and SIGs are great guns, with glocks being cheaper to buy.

[fldquy157]

Ha ha ha....What a warm welcome!!!

Personally, I am not new to guns. My Dad overseas used to own a little collection before he sold most of them and kept a couple. Some of them sold were a 4" .357 magnum Colt, a 6" .357 magnum S&W, Sig Sauer P220 .45 ACP. I think now he keeps 1 2" barrel .38 S&W ("Chief" or something) and 1 .22 revolver.

When I was a kid, I remember seeing a .30 M1 Carbine, an AK-47, an M-16A1, and a special M-16 edition that looked short (he told me that this version was for jet fighter pilots or something) .