I work in a global industry and have a global role. I have coworkers all over the globe and sometimes they come to Houston on business. Most have never fired a gun and I offer to take them. I start them on my S&W 617 10-shot revolver (ie 22lr) and once proficient we shoot either P239 or P229.

There is a large indoor range that is really nice and bordering on guntry club. I've taken coworkers from UK, India, and Nigeria to this range and the last time was summer '24. All they ask is for a passport and watch the safety video.

Today, the range refused my coworker from India who had passport and visa. They claim it's a federal law that they must have passport, visa, AND hunting license. They even have a QR code on a sign and when I click it the state.gov website and can't find that requirement.

Is this passport, visa, AND hunting license requirement actually a US law?

Sort of. It’s one of the exceptions to 27 CFR 178.97.

-Rob

Sounds like you need to find a new range.

As far as I know, the passport, visa, and hunting license is for a non-citizen purchasing a hunting rifle or shotgun whilst in American on a hunting trip. At the end of the trip, the firearm must be exported to the purchaser, sold via an FFL, or surrendered.

quote:

Originally posted by BurtonRW:
Sort of. It’s one of the exceptions to 27 CFR 178.97.

-Rob

We weren't renting firearms from a licensee. We would have been target shooting using my guns with me present. Literally, I'd be 6 ft away or less at all times.

Yup. Duck season in Arkansas, hang out at Mack's Prairie Wings shop in Stuttgart. Excellent opportunity to score an little used Excellent quality shotgun (or two or..) A lot of foreign bird hunters fly in, buy, shoot, sell, fly out.

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:
We weren't renting firearms from a licensee. We would have been target shooting using my guns with me present. Literally, I'd be 6 ft away or less at all times.

Absolutely correct. I was reading too fast.

Carry on.

-Rob

I just did a search on ATF documents from several different sources and gun club websites. It looks like the prohibition is correct, but the wording doesn't explicitly say whether it applies to both firearms supplied by the range and personal weapons.

quote:

Originally posted by snoris:
I just did a search on ATF documents from several different sources and gun club websites. It looks like the prohibition is correct.

Any links?

What about the “shooting ranges” that line Kalakaua Avenue in Honolulu for the Japanese tourists? Do they have a special license? The pistols are in a special fixture so that they can’t be turned around; and you’re not allowed to load yourself.

I'm home now. We ended up shooting archery and still had fun.

The links on the indoor range's QR code and website all link to State Dept's Visa Waiver Program which has absolutely nothing to do with gun ranges. It's about who can and can't come to the US without a Visa. It's especially idiotic as my coworker has a Visa.

Why I have my own range.
I just bring everyone here.

The Passport/Visa should be sufficient.

I work part time at a public range which rents to various folks including citizens and non-citizens since they can't own firearms in their home countries. A Hunting license is not required where I work.

Texas has a Non Resident Banded Bird Hunting License for $27 .

I've taken lots of Chinese visitors shooting at a few ranges and there are tons more Chinese renting machine guns in corp. events at local ranges. I've never seen anyone ask for more than a basic ID.

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:
I'm home now. We ended up shooting archery and still had fun.

The links on the indoor range's QR code and website all link to State Dept's Visa Waiver Program which has absolutely nothing to do with gun ranges. It's about who can and can't come to the US without a Visa. It's especially idiotic as my coworker has a Visa.

Having looked up and read 27 CFR 178.97, both in the below link and on the govinfo page, I believe that Liberty Firearms Institute is confused.

https://www.libertyrange.com/w...ES-625754d4c1fd9.pdf

I am not a lawyer, but interpretation of the code section is that it applies if a licensee is borrowing a firearm for off premise use, then part (a) applies. However, the activity you describe would appear to fall under part b.

“(b) A club, association, or similar or-
ganization temporarily furnishing fire-
arms (whether by loan, rental, or oth-
erwise) to participants in a skeet, trap,
target, or similar shooting activity for
use at the time and place such activity
is held does not, unattended by other
circumstances, cause such club, asso-
ciation, or similar organization to be
engaged in the business of a dealer in
firearms or as engaging in firearms
transactions. Therefore, licensing and
recordkeeping requirements contained
in this part pertaining to firearms
transactions would not apply to this
temporary furnishing of firearms for
use on premises on which such an ac-
tivity is conducted.
[T.D. ATF–415, 63 FR 58278, Oct. 29, 1998]“

This message has been edited. Last edited by: slosig,

Years ago I took a handful from Singapore out shooting, they had a great time. I was in semi-rural MS, no forms to fill out.

Yeah, one at a time, arms reach. Back in Singapore even owning a pellet gun is nearly impossible it seems.

Find a new range. This happens all the time all over the country.

quote:

Originally posted by Rick Lee:
I've taken lots of Chinese visitors shooting at a few ranges and there are tons more Chinese renting machine guns in corp. events at local ranges. I've never seen anyone ask for more than a basic ID.

When my son was in high school taking Chinese, he went to China and we in turn hosted a Chinese student at our home. I took him shooting. I've never seen anyone ask for more than a basic ID either.

They might just not want to be the foreigner hotspot range. I wouldn’t blame them, I won’t go to the one here.