Category Archives: Prohibited Persons

May non-immigrant aliens buy firearms?

In the United States, citizenship is a complicated issue and it becomes even more so when firearms are involved.  A very common question I am asked is “May non-immigrant aliens buy firearms?” The answer, as is often the case with … Continue reading

Posted in ATF, BATFE, Federal Law, Non-Immigrant Aliens, Prohibited Persons, Student Visa | Comments Off on May non-immigrant aliens buy firearms?

Green card holders and firearms

“May I purchase a firearm if I have a green card?” Some version of this question shows up in my email almost every week. It is hardly surprising since there is a great deal of confusion concerning green card holders and … Continue reading

Posted in 4473, ATF, Background Checks, BATFE, Criminal Law, Federal Law, Green Card Holders, Prohibited Persons, Purchasing Firearms | Comments Off on Green card holders and firearms

What impact will the Fix NICS bill have on NICS appeals?

I was recently debating with a gun control advocate about the increased burden that is imposed on law-abiding gun owners when we add more and more records to the NICS system.  I was specifically discussing the prevalence of erroneous matches. … Continue reading

Posted in ATF, Background Checks, BATFE, Due Process, Federal Law, Fix NICS, NICS, Prohibited Persons, Purchasing Firearms | Tagged | Comments Off on What impact will the Fix NICS bill have on NICS appeals?

May those prohibited from owning firearms due to a mental health issue hunt with black powder rifles?

I received a call from a potential client last week who was confused about the recent change to Virginia law regarding black powder firearms. The conversation went something like this: Client: “I heard that even if you can’t legally own … Continue reading

Posted in Black Powder Firearms, Criminal Law, Gun Rights Restoration, Hunting, Mental Health, Prohibited Persons, Purchasing Firearms, Virginia Law | Comments Off on May those prohibited from owning firearms due to a mental health issue hunt with black powder rifles?

Virginia convictions which meet the federal definition of ‘misdemeanor crime of domestic violence’

Perhaps the least-understood federal firearms prohibitions are those codified at 18 U.S.C. 922(d)(9) and (g)(9). These two sub-sections generally prohibit the acquisition, possession, and transportation of firearms by any person “who has been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor … Continue reading

Posted in ATF, Background Checks, BATFE, Criminal Law, Domestic Violence, Federal Law, Prohibited Persons, Purchasing Firearms, SCOTUS, US Supreme Court, Virginia Law, Virginia State Police | Comments Off on Virginia convictions which meet the federal definition of ‘misdemeanor crime of domestic violence’