Can it be done? L1A Visa

[chrisansilver]

I have a friend here on a L1A Visa from Canada, its a 3 year Visa. He owns his home here in Texas, has Texas DL, SSN, and married to a Texas gal. He has spoken to me about getting a CHL, he has recently bought 2 rifles with no issues. He plans apply for legal residency a year before visa expires. Can he get a Texax CHL?
Thanks.

[shootthesheet]

It sounds like he is still on a temporary work Visa for which must be renewed every three years from what you posted. If this is his status he should not be able to buy firearms. Are you sure he purchased those firearms from a FFL dealer and went thru the checks? He should have been denied if he is on an L1A. Even if he is married to a U.S. citizen his status doesn't automatically change. Property ownership has nothing to do with it either. He has to do the paperwork and pay the fees in order to have his status changed. That takes longer in many cases, or has in the past, than going for his "Green card" without his wife’s involvement other than as a fact on his application/s. Everything I have written is from experience with my wife and I could be totally off.

I don't think he can get a CHL when he is on a Visa that must be renewed every three years. He needs to get a "Green card" and I know for sure then he can get a CHL. I am sure instructors will post on this and give you further information. I would suggest you call TDPS CHL in Austin and talk to the girls there no matter what anyone posts here. That way he doesn't waste his time and money.

[chrisansilver]

Yes he purchased them from Gander Mountain, there was like a 3 day delay on the first purchase, and no delay on the second. You are correct on it being a work visa, I didnt know the answer to his question.
I was thinking he could get a CHL due to the fact he can purchase firearms with no issue, and this latest purchase has been with in the last 2 months.
Thanks for your reply.

I am hoping to get more hits on this.

[Beiruty]

what shootthesheet said is correct. Since your friend is married to US citizen he can get his Green card and US citizenship on faster track than employment based immigration. He does not need to wait to file for a Green card.

[CaptWoodrow10]

+1 on the Green Card. It sounds like he will be a great addition to Texas.

[chrisansilver]

I will pass this on, I just think it is strange that he can purchase a firearm, seems to me the BG check has to be up to snuff!

Thanks for all those that have responded,

And yes he will be a great addition to Texas and already is

[maxlib]

+1 on the Green Card. It sounds like he will be a great addition to Texas.

+1 We need more immigrants to the US who only use "no habla englese" as a joke.

[suthdj]

Why doesn't he just apply for a marrage visa and just adjust status since he is married to an American. Depending on how long they have been married it could be to his benefit.

[NickP30]

Being "Canadian" I will attest to the green card or in my case permanent residency card will allow you to submit and baring any unknowns receive his CHL. Permanent residency took us around 3 years start to finish. It is not a simple or cheap process by any means. Hope this helps.

[hirundo82]

I will pass this on, I just think it is strange that he can purchase a firearm, seems to me the BG check has to be up to snuff!

Non-resident aliens can legally possess and purchase firearms in the US if they have a hunting license. I obviously don't know if that's how your friend did it, but as far as I am aware it is pretty much the only way to buy firearms legally without a green card.

A green card would make things much easier though--you pretty much get all the rights and privileges of a citizen except for the voting thing.

[dicion]

Permanent residency took us around 3 years start to finish. It is not a simple or cheap process by any means. Hope this helps.

3 Years, and ~$4,000 was about the end cost for my Wife's Green card, the legal way. Plus medical checks, multiple interviews, etc.

It's not a fun process, to say the least, and it takes time, but It only makes me even angrier at the politicians turning a blind eye to illegal immigration. We paid the money and time cost to get her legal, so should everyone else.

[Bart]

I have a friend here on a L1A Visa from Canada, its a 3 year Visa. He owns his home here in Texas, has Texas DL, SSN, and married to a Texas gal. He has spoken to me about getting a CHL, he has recently bought 2 rifles with no issues. He plans apply for legal residency a year before visa expires. Can he get a Texax CHL?
Thanks.

I don't see anything in the CHL eleigibity requirements about citizenship in §411.172. Your friend does have to meet all the requirements in §411.172 including being "fully qualified under applicable federal and state law to pur­chase a handgun" but it doesn't specify purchase from an FFL.

[Katygunnut]

I will pass this on, I just think it is strange that he can purchase a firearm, seems to me the BG check has to be up to snuff!

Non-resident aliens can legally possess and purchase firearms in the US if they have a hunting license. I obviously don't know if that's how your friend did it, but as far as I am aware it is pretty much the only way to buy firearms legally without a green card.

A green card would make things much easier though--you pretty much get all the rights and privileges of a citizen except for the voting thing.

I thought anyone could vote as long as they showed up at the polling station or filled out an absentee ballot.

One lady in Washington state successfully registered her dog to vote. She did it to show how broken the system was and contacted a reporter who ran the story. She ended up getting prosecuted. This was in the 2006 election, I believe.

[chrisansilver]

I have a friend here on a L1A Visa from Canada, its a 3 year Visa. He owns his home here in Texas, has Texas DL, SSN, and married to a Texas gal. He has spoken to me about getting a CHL, he has recently bought 2 rifles with no issues. He plans apply for legal residency a year before visa expires. Can he get a Texax CHL?
Thanks.

I don't see anything in the CHL eleigibity requirements about citizenship in §411.172. Your friend does have to meet all the requirements in §411.172 including being "fully qualified under applicable federal and state law to pur­chase a handgun" but it doesn't specify purchase from an FFL.

He has sponsorship from major oil & gas service provider, no problems on being qaulified under applicable federal and state law. He has absolutely squeeky clean record

I spoke to CHL instructor in Houston today, he sees no reason the CHL would'nt be issued. This will be confirmed tomorrow.

[Beiruty]

Texas does not require US Citizenship to grant a CHL, they require a green card.