Business
Feds Confiscate Firearms from 8 Chinese Students at University of Arizona
In recent months, federal and state officials have identified at least eight Chinese students at the University of Arizona for fraudulently obtaining resident hunting licenses and firearms. These licenses, which allowed them to purchase weapons, have brought to light potential vulnerabilities in federal and state gun laws.
A high-ranking federal official mentioned that no evidence of “malicious intent” was found in these cases. The students cited their curiosity about American gun culture as their primary motivation.
Yifei Gong, one of the cited students, stated, “It’s totally not possible,” referring to gun ownership in China. Seeking to experience shooting, he acquired a semi-automatic RAS47 after purchasing a resident hunting license from Walmart.
However, Gong’s firearm ownership was short-lived. On Dec. 6, officials visited his apartment to seize his firearm for the fraudulent hunting license. He was fined for the misdemeanor without facing additional charges.
This issue is not isolated. As of early May, seven other Chinese students at UA faced similar actions. Scott Brown, Phoenix HSI special agent in charge, mentioned it is part of a larger effort by the Alliance to Combat Transnational Threats.
Federal and state laws currently allow nonimmigrant visa holders, like international students, to own guns if they possess a valid hunting license. This loophole raises concerns given that these licenses can be obtained with minimal verification.
Gong said he easily purchased the license, noting that Walmart staff assumed he was a state resident based on his stay duration in Arizona. Other students also reported similar experiences.
Moreover, several gun shops in Tucson refused to sell firearms to Gong, but one did honor his license and other documents for the transaction. “I did not know (I was breaking the law) until they seized my firearm,” Gong said.
Historically, issues have arisen from such loopholes. In 2015, the FBI warned about Chinese students “legally” buying guns, following an incident involving a Chinese student bringing two AR-15s on Arizona State University campus.
Following these events, ASU’s Police sought assistance from ATF, which involved HSI due to its expertise in immigration matters. State game and fish officials also noticed an increase in non-resident students seeking hunting licenses.
HSI emphasized that removing illegally obtained firearms suffices for compliance, avoiding severe penalties. “If there’s no malicious intent and we can get the students into compliance…we don’t need to drop a big hammer,” Brown said.
Efforts are underway to address this regulatory loophole. Potential legislative changes aim to align state definitions of residency with federal standards and refine the types of firearms nonimmigrant visa holders can purchase.
Mark Hart from the Game and Fish Department mentioned that legislative changes could impact foreign nationals who come to Arizona to hunt. Both Brown and Elms acknowledged the need for educational efforts to inform students about applicable laws.
In transitioning to online-only license applications, it’s expected to be harder to fraudulently claim residency. Universities are also working to ensure international students understand local gun laws.
“Most of the Chinese students here…don’t actually know a lot about the firearms law,” Gong stated, highlighting the necessity for improved law education.
Contact: mwoodhouse@tucson.com or 573-4235. On Twitter: @murphywoodhouse
