What documentation does a member of the military on active duty need to present to acquire a firearm?

An active duty military member may establish residency by presenting permanent change of station (PCS) orders and a valid military photo identification card (see bet365 ³ö½ð Ruling 2001-5). The PCS orders may be either paper or electronic, as stated in the Form 4473 instructions for item 26c, “Licensees may accept electronic PCS orders to establish residency.â€Â 

Spouses and other dependents of an active duty military member may not claim residency using PCS orders, as 18 U.S.C. 921(b) applies only to members of the Armed Forces.

A military member claiming residency in a state in which he or she is present with the intention of making a home must demonstrate that residency to the federal firearms licensee (FFL) by presenting a valid identification document, or a combination of valid, government issued documents, to satisfy the identification document requirement.

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Last Reviewed July 8, 2021