If you are a nonimmigrant alien and you intend to bring a firearm with you on a visit to the United States, be aware that the US Government is dead serious about requiring a permit for that firearm. We have that directly from ATF Agent Larry White who was in Germany last week for IWA, the big German hunting show in Nuremberg.

Hunting Report President/Publisher Don Causey attended a briefing where White spelled out who was required to have a permit and what the procedures were for securing one. Our bulletin on this matter dated February 19 (simply scroll down to �New Gun Import Rules Take Effect Today�) is accurate. If you need more details, click on:
http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/nonimmigrant_regfaqs.pdf

The most interesting and newsworthy comment White made centered on the reason for the new requirement and the abruptness with which it was enacted. The requirement is a response to September 11, he said, and heightened fears of new terrorist attacks against the United States. The United States needs time to do background checks of permit applicants, he says, particularly those from certain parts of the world.
White went on to point out that ATF is doing all it can to accommodate hunters and shooters who already had travel plans in place when the new directive became effective February 19. One group of visitors we know about actually had permits issued on arrival by taking advantage of the emergency fax system we described in our previous bulletin (again, scroll down to �New Gun Import Rules Take Effect Today�). Also, the National Rifle Association has jumped into the fray and offered assistance. Here is how NRA�s John Frazer put it in an e-mail dated March 11:

�If you encounter any unusual difficulties or need help with conflicting or confusing advice from ATF, or if your ability to bring your firearms to the US is threatened by ATF inaction, please call NRA�s Office of Legislative Counsel at 703-267-1166.�

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