[Guest]

So, I worked the VCDL table at the local gun show today. After my shift was over, I looked around for anything good I might want. I've wanted an AR-15 for a while but have resisted the urge since I don't have any place close by to fire it. Well, the bug finally got the best of me today and I started to buy one. It was a DPMS Panther Lite 16 (collapsible stock, fixed carry handle, 16" barrel w/ A2 flash hider).

The dealer assistance/wife/whatever asked the dealer if the AR was considered an assault rifle, to which he said yes. Upon hearing that she explained that the AR is considered a assault rifle since it has the collapsible stock and that I needed a third ID showing I am a US citizen -- birth certificate, passport, or voter registration.

Can someone educate me on this requirement? I did a quick search on ATF's site and in Google and found nothing explaining why.

 

[Guest]

What state are you from? CA? TX doesn't require that... i've bought one outright, around april06

 

[Guest]

umm thats not nessisary....At least not at a federal level. You need an I.D. that shows picture, name and adress. They DO NOT NEED your social security number.

You can have an ID with a Name and adress on it, and another with a picture, and that would work. Or a picture ID with no adress, and say a bill with your adress would work. As long as you can prove those three mai things, I can be dome in one or more ID's but only 1 is required.

 

[Guest]

Double post, and cant find a deleate button.

 

[Guest]

I'm in Virginia. I've purchased 6 pistols while living in Virginia. For the first three, I used my VA drivers license and my vehicle registration. For the last three, I used my VA DL and my Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP).

 

[Guest]

I think I found my answer. Murphy's law: ask and then you find it.

From VA Code § 18.2-308.2:2

§ 18.2-308.2:2. Criminal history record information check required for the transfer of certain firearms.
...
In addition, no dealer shall sell, rent, trade or transfer from his inventory any assault firearm to any person who is not a citizen of the United States or who is not a person lawfully admitted for permanent residence. To establish citizenship or lawful admission for a permanent residence for purposes of purchasing an assault firearm, a dealer shall require a prospective purchaser to present a certified birth certificate or a certificate of birth abroad issued by the United States State Department, a certificate of citizenship or a certificate of naturalization issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, an unexpired U.S. passport, a United States citizen identification card, a current voter registration card, a current selective service registration card, or an immigrant visa or other documentation of status as a person lawfully admitted for permanent residence issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
....
Assault firearm" means any semi-automatic center-fire rifle or pistol which expels single or multiple projectiles by action of an explosion of a combustible material and is equipped at the time of the offense with a magazine which will hold more than 20 rounds of ammunition or designed by the manufacturer to accommodate a silencer or equipped with a folding stock.

emphasis mine.

And VSP Firearms Transaction Program, see the "Transfer of an Assault Firearm" about 2/3rd way down.

 

[Guest]

I'm not trying to hijack this thread with the mention of "illegal aliens". However, I'm wondering if this had to do with the easy availability of driver's licenses to those who are not citizens. Lord knows that our borders are porous and there are millions of illegal aliens in this country. Is it possible that the dealer was just covering his/her hind quarters by requiring this additional documentation?

 

[Guest]

Or didn't want to sell it to you...

 

[Guest]

When i bought mine i just had to show a permit to aquire firearms. If i didnt have it, i would have had to wait for 7 days... stupid laws

 

[Guest]

It is illegal to sell to someone not a resident of the country by federal law. Why do some states have to write their own law and make it seem like they came up with the idea first?


BTW

There are legal ways for a non-citizen to purchase a firearm.