Method Acquiring a firearm as a tourist in the US

[Metro]

Some background:
- I live in the UK but have Slovak citizenship, although I intend on obtaining British citizenship at some point in the future and willing to drop my Slovak citizenship if need be. I've lived in Britain for most of my life so while it's not American it is a native British-English accent (I don't believe you could tell I'm not from England going off my voice).
- I do not intend on carrying this out any time soon as I am yet to try out some apparently good therapies so politics and changing gun laws are a consideration - though from my rather limited understanding of US politics as of today and the next few years that's probably not gonna be a problem.
- I believe I've been what would be classified as involuntarily hospitalised, and I have attempted suicide (separate incidents but both related to suicide) by train in the past (I foolishly told some people that I was intending on doing so and didn't expect they could alert authorities and get the trains slowed down in time). That attempt was impulsive and I did not really care about anything aside from dying, but months later I now find such a method undesirable for likely obvious reasons. I do not have a criminal record.

The method of ctb I find most attractive is by shooting myself in the head, and for a while I had intended on going to holiday in the US to get a gun there and ctb that way. Things are obviously never that simple because the world hates your inalienable right to die.

I've heard that non-citizens are allowed to possess firearms if they're in the US under the Visa Waiver Program. Being that both the UK and Slovakia are eligible for that program and I'd be in tbe country as a tourist for less than 90 days I should be able to pass that hurdle just fine. Proof of residency is also needed I've heard, but what constitutes that is any document showing I have an address in the relevant state (which I imagine even an Airbnb receipt would count, but I'd probably prefer to be safer and go with some kind of short term rental).

I'm going to want to skip a background check though, and I'm hoping to exploit the gun show loophole for that. I imagine Texas is a good state to do this at. I can see 2 obvious ways to find a private seller, one being a gun show and the other an online seller via a site like AL. I'm not too sure on how to find out in advance which ones perform background checks, though?

Please tell me if I've missed out on anything. From my research, it seems perfectly possible for me to legally purchase a firearm if I enter the US under the VWP, provide proof of residence i.e. short term rental contract and find a gun show or private seller that doesn't conduct background checks. I don't need to put on an American accent or try to hide that I'm not a citizen because of the VWP, right?

 

[Holu]

This is both easy and hard lol. If you go to Texas, it's possible to find really lax gun shows, but nothing is ever guaranteed. You could also go to a shooting range, but that would be incredibly traumatizing for the workers and other people. Ghost guns also exist, but I can't personally say how easy they are to obtain since I've never personally bothered looking.

If you are intent on a firearm then I suppose the U.S. would be the easiest option, although it's not going to be easy either way. Trying a gun show could work, and Texas is a good choice since they aren't required to do a background check. So long as your money is good, I highly doubt they would give a shit about your accent.

It's worth doing more research on your own though, because I really don't know the nuances of non citizens obtaining firearms. Best of luck to you for whatever choice you do end up making.

 

[Metro]

This is both easy and hard lol. If you go to Texas, it's possible to find really lax gun shows, but nothing is ever guaranteed. You could also go to a shooting range, but that would be incredibly traumatizing for the workers and other people. Ghost guns also exist, but I can't personally say how easy they are to obtain since I've never personally bothered looking.

If you are intent on a firearm then I suppose the U.S. would be the easiest option, although it's not going to be easy either way. Trying a gun show could work, and Texas is a good choice since they aren't required to do a background check. So long as your money is good, I highly doubt they would give a shit about your accent.

It's worth doing more research on your own though, because I really don't know the nuances of non citizens obtaining firearms. Best of luck to you for whatever choice you do end up making.

Yeah, a shooting range would only be renting a gun which is far easier but I've hurt those around me enough so I want to avoid that.

I don't think I want to go with a ghost gun - I expect the tradeoff of reliability vs ease of access isn't enough effort saved vs just getting a normal gun.

Easy or hard - this seems like simply the best way. Of all the methods I know of it's the quickest, least painful and most reliable. SN would be the next best, but its reliability feels too shaky and getting it in the UK will be difficult along with the AE.

It seems the biggest hurdle is just finding a gun show where you know they don't do background checks. I feel like it's sus if you ask them directly, but how else would you figure it out?

In any case, I appreciate your support. Thanks

 

[alwaysalone]

Some background:
- I live in the UK but have Slovak citizenship, although I intend on obtaining British citizenship at some point in the future and willing to drop my Slovak citizenship if need be.
- I do not intend on carrying this out any time soon as I am yet to try out some apparently good therapies so politics and changing gun laws are a consideration - though from my rather limited understanding of US politics as of today and the next few years that's probably not gonna be a problem.
- I believe I've been what would be classified as involuntarily hospitalised, and I have attempted suicide (separate incidents but both related to suicide) by train in the past (I foolishly told some people that I was intending on doing so and didn't expect they could alert authorities and get the trains slowed down in time). That attempt was impulsive and I did not really care about anything aside from dying, but months later I now find such a method undesirable for likely obvious reasons. I do not have a criminal record.

The method of ctb I find most attractive is by shooting myself in the head, and for a while I had intended on going to holiday in the US to get a gun there and ctb that way. Things are obviously never that simple because the world hates your inalienable right to die.

I've heard that non-citizens are allowed to possess firearms if they're in the US under the Visa Waiver Program. Being that both the UK and Slovakia are eligible for that program and I'd be in tbe country as a tourist for less than 90 days I should be able to pass that hurdle just fine. Proof of residency is also needed I've heard, but what constitutes that is any document showing I have an address in the relevant state (which I imagine even an Airbnb receipt would count, but I'd probably prefer to be safer and go with some kind of short term rental).

I'm going to want to skip a background check though, and I'm hoping to exploit the gun show loophole for that. I imagine Texas is a good state to do this at. I can see 2 obvious ways to find a private seller, one being a gun show and the other an online seller via a site like AL. I'm not too sure on how to find out in advance which ones perform background checks, though?

Please tell me if I've missed out on anything. From my research, it seems perfectly possible for me to legally purchase a firearm if I enter the US under the VWP, provide proof of residence i.e. short term rental contract and find a gun show or private seller that doesn't conduct background checks. I don't need to put on an American accent or try to hide that I'm not a citizen because of the VWP, right?

A receipt from air b and b isn't proof of residency. It literally means proof you're a legal resident of that state. Usually requiring a state ID with a legal permanent address.

 

[Holu]

Yeah, a shooting range would only be renting a gun which is far easier but I've hurt those around me enough so I want to avoid that.

I don't think I want to go with a ghost gun - I expect the tradeoff of reliability vs ease of access isn't enough effort saved vs just getting a normal gun.

It seems the biggest hurdle is just finding a gun show where you know they don't do background checks. I feel like it's sus if you ask them directly, but how else would you figure it out?

In any case, I appreciate your support. Thanks

This is a hunch, but seeing how a lot of cartel members get their guns from Texas, trying a show near the border, where it's private citizens and no licensed vendors might be a good place to start.

 

[Metro]

A receipt from air b and b isn't proof of residency. It literally means proof you're a legal resident of that state. Usually requiring a state ID with a legal permanent address.

From what I found (not sure if it's against the rules to link my source if it's just a normal article on proving Texas residency to get a gun) you don't need state ID, and the most I found is you need to show you've been a Texan resident (had an address in Texas) for 30 days, which fits the 90 day limit for the VWP.

 

[alwaysalone]

From what I found (not sure if it's against the rules to link my source if it's just a normal article on proving Texas residency to get a gun) you don't need state ID, and the most I found is you need to show you've been a Texan resident (had an address in Texas) for 30 days, which fits the 90 day limit for the VWP.

Ok good luck

 

[Metro]

This is a hunch, but seeing how a lot of cartel members get their guns from Texas, trying a show near the border, where it's private citizens and no licensed vendors might be a good place to start.

I'm not sure how easy it would be to confirm that anyway. A hunch is probably the most that's gonna be.

But either way I would research upcoming gun shows to confirm they're lax before travelling of course, assuming that's something I could figure out.

 

[Holu]

I'm not sure how easy it would be to confirm that anyway. A hunch is probably the most that's gonna be.

But either way I would research upcoming gun shows to confirm they're lax before travelling of course, assuming that's something I could figure out.

There's also a non zero chance of a Texan at a gun show just shooting you for having a British accent so that's a positive

 

[Metro]

There's also a non zero chance of a Texan at a gun show just shooting you for having a British accent so that's a positive

Yay! I'll be sure to make it as obnoxious and posh as possible in that case

 

[Holu]

Yay! I'll be sure to make it as obnoxious and posh as possible in that case

Noooo cuz then they might not sell you the gun lol. But if u do find a really intolerant redneck then maybe worth a shot

 

[TBONTB]

Are you planning on taking this back to the UK? Maybe I missed that you hope to use it in the us?

 

[Metro]

Are you planning on taking this back to the UK? Maybe I missed that you hope to use it in the us?

I don't see any point in not doing The Job directly in the US and taking it back to the Isles

 

[TBONTB]

I don't see any point in not doing The Job directly in the US and taking it back to the Isles

Okay, I'm wondering about a couple of logistics. I assume you could not get the gun back to UK, so that makes sense.

Do you need to learn to operate the firearm? I didn't grow up knowing how to do that in the US, I imagine a lot of people in the UK haven't as well. If you need to learn I'm sure there will be ranges or clubs where you can take a lesson or two.

Final piece of logistics if you were to decide to ctb. Have you looked into or made plans for the corpse? No need to answer, just wanted to make sure you had thought of the "after" details

 

[brokenspirited]

FYI: Many gun shows in America don't require ids or background checks to purchase a firearm. Though it also depends on the seller, and make sure to research local/state laws before traveling.

This is known as "The Gun Show Loophole."

depends on the state and specific place you go to. it just means that they aren't mandated by law to do so.