What happen's when you move to America...

[joelewis055]

I have done pretty much the same and moved from the UK to USA (Oklahoma) but I put my UK guns in storge in the UK as the hassle and cost wasn't worth it but as I have a few nice and also sentimental guns in the UK I didn't want to sell them.

Since moving here I unfortunatley have gone a bit mental buying....

I now have an AR15 in .223 (a colt one - not the other imposters lol) - I have alreay had an amusing incident wherby I shot at a hog and then furiosly scrambled to cycle the bolt for the next round - by the time i figured it out the hog had gone!

A Beretta PX4F in 9mm - I have always liked the guns beretta build and did look at others but it was one of the few that had a safety catch! (Glocks, S&W didnt on the guns i looked at)

and my last purchase a few weeks ago was a Marlin 336/30AW in 30-30, i love it but unfortunately just cant seem to shoot it with buckhorn sights so am in the middle of trying to sort out a williams reciever sight for it when i can get a front sight that works!


I am also on the look out for a 30-06 but am trying to not blow a heap of money on guns I will most likely sell before going back to the UK sop I was looking at the low end guns and I just can't find any that appeal to me so far (Savages, Mossberg, Remmingtons etc.)


and I will no doubt buy a shotgun at some point....

the shooting scene here in the USA is fantastic and very liberated although I have to admit to cringing at a couple of things I have seen so far (guy trying to shoot sillouette targets with a colt 1911 .45 pistol at 75 yards and firing maybe 15 shots and not one on the paper) and a guy with his son firing a pistol and the kid having a missfire and turning the pistol sideways to look at it (pointing towards the rest of the range stations!)

Also my wife was heavily chastised one day when she took our 3 year old daughter into a liquor store when she went into buy a bottle of wine (she was actually asked to leave the store due to having our dauter with her) yet it was pefectly acceptable for us to go into an indoor shooting range with the kids, hand over a UK driving license and rent an AR 15, Glock and 100 rounds for each and walk away to the range unsupervised......that's a little odd to me!


As I am in oklahoma I am spoiled for deer hunting as I believe it rates as one of the top states for whitetail and has some enourmous elk and enough pigs to trip over on, but I do miss the silent mornings and beautiful summer evenings roe stalking in Scotland and also the walked up days with some friends.


It's a great place for fieldsports/shooting people and I so wish i had my guns from the UK here but couldn't be bothered with the hassle and beuracracy - one of the things that hacked me off was the massive inhale through closed teeth that every firearm dealer seemed to do when I asked about getting the guns shipped - as usual the UK system was the issue!

Process was actually easy to bring guns over. Did the US paper work myself without the need to go through FFL. It just took a while to get the Form 6 back from the ATF. Then it was just getting back to the uk to pick up guns and bring them back with me. US border checked paper work and rest was history. Although girl at LHR airport was not sure what to do when I said I was checking 6 guns!!

the lack of safety was what I actually liked about the M&P and it felt nicer in the hand than a glock. But now looking at a 1911 to add to the collection. What is great is that despite living in the centre of Atlanta I am still able to get out and shoot most weekends (great state-owned outdoor range close, and only $19 membership). Plus good hunting/fishing close by.

 

[joelewis055]

Joel and Gixer,

Y'all need to come up and visit me in KY in April, and we will go over to the Knob Creek Machine Gun shoot. You will go into a firearm induced coma from the massive overdose. 5 acres of guns and accessories for sale, and shooting ranges (although not cheap) that allow you to rent and shoot any full auto that you have ever desired. When we are done, we can visit a distillery or two - think of it as a Alcohol, Firearms, and Tobacco tour!


as you have noted - Brits/Scots are much more deliberate in your firearms purchases, because of the FAC. We basically can indulge at a whim.

Sounds fun! Dispute being an avid scotch drinker, have found plenty of great bourbons that I really like! Sounds like a US stalkingdirectory meet up is on the cards.

 

[joelewis055]

Hi.
Any of you Brits living in the States bothered getting your Carry Permits?

Yorkie.

Yes I have a carry permit. Although you do not need one to have a gun in your car/house. Georgia gun laws are pretty liberal, but does vary by state (e.g. 10 capacity limit in NY)

 

[joelewis055]

Do you have a green card or permanent right to remain? I ask as I spent 4 years in Texas on a work visa but wasn't allowed to own guns of my own there. I did go to the range quite often with friends and used their weapons, which was always fun.

I am here on a green card (wife is American). Whilst gun laws in the US are liberal, it does not make them simple. You really have to study the fine print to understand and then it varies by state. Not forgetting that buying from a shop is different from buying from a private individual.

 

[Daft Dog]

Just had had a look and you're only 13 1/2 hours drive from me! Lol...

Oh but it would be worth the drive!!! I've seen a few youtube clips from Knob Creek, a mate of mine wanted to go there for his stag do (alass too expensive for us), it looks like a lot of fun!!!

 

[tackb]

all my uk stuff plus:-

glock 17
308 socom 2
s&w 625 (45 acp revolver)
416 barrett
join knob creek and get a Vickers and a MG42

 

[VIGILAIRE]

Colt Government 1911 A1 .45ACP
Browning Hi Power 9mm
Remington 870
Garand 30.06

and as much full auto stuff as I could afford - MP40, MG 42, FN Minimi and a Browning .50 cal would do for starters.

Plus my UK rifles.

While I have an attachment to my shotguns I don't think they'd get enough use out there so they'd stay behind awaiting my return.

 

[Tartan_Terrier]

I'd really like the lack of hassle with rifle purchases that most states over there seem to have, as I'm utterly sick of waiting anything from two weeks to a year to get licences for my rifles. It would be great to be able see something that you like, and just take it home.

I'd love to live in one of the more 'gun friendly' states, but due to work if I ever did move to the US it would probably be to Connecticut, which I gather is quite restrictive.

 

[paul o']

shorty M4 .223 SVI/STI 38 super, 45 acp 1911 wide frame just coz i could and a thompson smg 45 , oh an AR10 inc an AR 50CAL UPPER. or a BMG Just for them long playdays. Join a drone shooting club plus anything i just had once upon a time when the uk had some balls and not run by do gooders and green tosser's.
who of us remembers having mac 10 fully silenced or a L1A1

 

[JasonH]

I moved to the US last year with work on an L1 visa at present for the next 2 to 5 years. Likewise I left my collection in storage in the UK until things firm up then I will ship it over. I had intentions of buying US made guns but to be honest the European stuff is such good value over here. Tikka T3 lite stainless $800, Benelli Montefeltro $1050 , Beretta xplor in 28 gauge $1300. I have been to the range with my buddy and shot his AR15 and 9mm Glock but to be honest it did nothing for me. However as a bit of a clay shooter the facilities here are excellent I am 30 minutes from a county owned ground which has skeet, trap, wobble and a sporting layout and cost wise it's fantastic. Hunting has been great 2 white tails so far hopefully a couple more before the season closes I then have hog planned for March, turkey in April, black bear in august and then hopefully pronghorn in October.....ace. Don't be fooled about how easy it is to gain firearms there is a process to follow and an FBI check is required for each purchase. However it's not all green overall the UK still has the best access to deer stalking and all year seasons and our driven Pheasant is also the best.

 

[762Scot]

I returned from the US 2 years ago having sold the firearms I had there. Unfortunately the US is changing and firearms owners need to keep their finger on the pulse. Unless you are classed as a resident best beware. I was on a H1-B visa and therefore classed as a non resident alien. Looking into Federal Firearms Law I was not allowed to Possess a firearm UNLESS I had an in state hunting license ( somewhat regarded as a grey area by firearms attorneys and one to which I never received definitive clarification). This was in the state of Florida. As I used to attend training courses in different states this meant that I could potentially be in violation of Federal Firearms Law when traveling between states. There was also the question of my standing within the state should a complaint or issue ever be raised A violation of Federal or State firearms law if caught is a life changing event. I would caution anyone reading posts here to think you can move to the US and all is well. This is one of the reasons I returned to Scotland, unfortunately following the September 11th attack the US began its change and in my opinion it continues to do so.

 

[joelewis055]

I returned from the US 2 years ago having sold the firearms I had there. Unfortunately the US is changing and firearms owners need to keep their finger on the pulse. Unless you are classed as a resident best beware. I was on a H1-B visa and therefore classed as a non resident alien. Looking into Federal Firearms Law I was not allowed to Possess a firearm UNLESS I had an in state hunting license ( somewhat regarded as a grey area by firearms attorneys and one to which I never received definitive clarification). This was in the state of Florida. As I used to attend training courses in different states this meant that I could potentially be in violation of Federal Firearms Law when traveling between states. There was also the question of my standing within the state should a complaint or issue ever be raised A violation of Federal or State firearms law if caught is a life changing event. I would caution anyone reading posts here to think you can move to the US and all is well. This is one of the reasons I returned to Scotland, unfortunately following the September 11th attack the US began its change and in my opinion it continues to do so.

Agreed that it is never straight forward. I would say that I am talking from the perspective of a permanent resident with a green card who's family is American (federal/state laws a lot more straight forward and basically treated as a citizen).

 

[joelewis055]

I moved to the US last year with work on an L1 visa at present for the next 2 to 5 years. Likewise I left my collection in storage in the UK until things firm up then I will ship it over. I had intentions of buying US made guns but to be honest the European stuff is such good value over here. Tikka T3 lite stainless $800, Benelli Montefeltro $1050 , Beretta xplor in 28 gauge $1300. I have been to the range with my buddy and shot his AR15 and 9mm Glock but to be honest it did nothing for me. However as a bit of a clay shooter the facilities here are excellent I am 30 minutes from a county owned ground which has skeet, trap, wobble and a sporting layout and cost wise it's fantastic. Hunting has been great 2 white tails so far hopefully a couple more before the season closes I then have hog planned for March, turkey in April, black bear in august and then hopefully pronghorn in October.....ace. Don't be fooled about how easy it is to gain firearms there is a process to follow and an FBI check is required for each purchase. However it's not all green overall the UK still has the best access to deer stalking and all year seasons and our driven Pheasant is also the best.

Areed that there are some bargains to be had in terms of European guns, looking at a secondhand Tikka T3 myself this weekend (30-06). Also agreed on the clay shooting, my office is 15 minutes from the ground that hosted the Olympic clay shoots (Atlanta, 1996). Amazing facility and great prices for a round. On top of that I am able to find a box of 12b cartridges for around $4 (in fact cheap ammo, dispite the random shortages, is a big bonus). It is amazing how your annual calender ends up targeting different species. Finishing up on whitetail in January, Hog in Feb, Turkey's in the Spring etc. But I do miss year round deer (also driven pheasants, but heading out to South Dakota soon and hunt quail in Georgia which makes up a bit). On the background checks, needed for buying from a shop, not needed in private sales and a carry permits negates the need completely.

 

[csl]

Well done Joe, looks like you are settling in well over there

It's easy to be surprised at European guns being cheaper and easier to get in the States but when you consider that a single order of Berettas or Tikkas from one US chain store might dwarf the entire UK annual consumption you can see why!

 

[Cootmeurer]

Just had had a look and you're only 13 1/2 hours drive from me! Lol...

Southwest Air - OKC to SDF (Louisville ) is cheap! The American version of RyanAir

 

[mr_magicfingers]

Southwest Air - OKC to SDF (Louisville ) is cheap! The American version of RyanAir

And with the best in-flight safety announcements out there. One flight our attendants had the entire plane in hysterics, everyone took notice.

 

[Yorkie]

shorty M4 .223 SVI/STI 38 super, 45 acp 1911 wide frame just coz i could and a thompson smg 45 , oh an AR10 inc an AR 50CAL UPPER. or a BMG Just for them long playdays. Join a drone shooting club plus anything i just had once upon a time when the uk had some balls and not run by do gooders and green tosser's.
who of us remembers having mac 10 fully silenced or a L1A1

Hi paul o
We speak the same language my friend.

I spent many a warm, summer's, Wednesday evening on the Hawksworth range near Ilkley shooting Mini 14, Garand, 7.62 FN SLR, Sten semi auto and the like.

Never a Mac ten but I did let 50 rounds go through a GPMG.

Your taste in Pistols is difficult to fault too .

Apologies to op for swerving off topic but I cant resist taking a trip down memory lane.

Yorkie.

 

[Colonel]

Ruger supper Blackhawk in 44 mag.I had one here before the hand in,I loved it great fun and shot the bull out.