Gun laws in American Samoa

Gun laws in American Samoa regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the unincorporated territory of American Samoa. As American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States, many U.S. federal laws apply, as well as Constitutional rulings and protections.[1][2]

Location of American Samoa in relation to the continental United States

Summary table
Subject/LawLong gunsHandgunsRelevant statutesNotes
Permit required to purchase?YesN/AA license is required to possess or import long guns or ammunition. Handguns are prohibited for civilian possession despite D.C. v Heller and McDonald v Chicago.
Firearm registration?YesYesAll firearms must be registered with the American Samoa Public Safety Department.
Assault weapon law?NoNoAll handguns and centerfire firearms banned; Only 12, 16, 20 and 410 gauge shotguns and shotgun shells and 22 caliber rifles and their ammunitions are allowed
Magazine capacity restriction?NoNo
Concealed carry allowed?N/ANoConcealed carry is illegal.
License required for open carry?YesYesOpen carry is legal for holders of a valid License to Possess which are required to purchase and possess firearms;[3] though Licenses to Possess have been restricted to only shotguns and rimfire rifles since 1991, effectively banning handguns.[4] Licenses issued for handguns and other firearms prior to 1991 are grandfathered as long as they remain valid.[5]
NFA weapons restricted?YesYesExplosive weapons, machine guns, gas guns, short barreled rifles, short barreled shotguns, and silencers are prohibited.[6]
Peaceable journey laws?NoNoFederal law (FOPA) applies.

Licensing process

American Samoa has a very stringent and restrictive licensing process necessary in order to purchase a firearm in American Samoa. A person has to be 21 to get a weapons license along with several other requirements. A person who wants to obtain a license to possess a firearm must provide genuine reason why the firearm may be required. The applicant must provide signed affidavits testifying to their good character and their stated need for each firearm from the village mayor, county chief and the police. The most commonly accepted reasons for ownership are plantation protection and hunting but ownership for self-defense is prohibited and not accepted as a legitimate reason for a license. The police must approve any transfer of a firearm between persons.[7]

Prohibited firearms and ammunition

All firearms including automatic firearms, semi-automatic rifles, and handguns are prohibited from civilian possession. Civilians can only own 12-gauge, 16-gauge, 20-gauge and .410 shotguns and .22 calibre rifles with a license. They also can only own ammunition for those types of firearms with a license; possession of any other type of ammunition, whether the person has a license or not, is illegal.[8] The ban on handguns is in direct conflict with the decisions in D.C. v Heller and McDonald v Chicago.

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References
  1. "American Samoa", Handgunlaw.us. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
  2. "American Samoa Code Annotated".
  3. User, Super. "46.4203 Unlawful use of weapons". www.asbar.org.
  4. User, Super. "46.4221 License-Required when". www.asbar.org.
  5. User, Super. "46.4229 Sales to persons without licenses-Grandfather clause". www.asbar.org.
  6. "State Laws and Published Ordinances – Firearms (31st Edition: 2010 – 2011)". Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
  7. "American Samoa — Gun Facts, Figures and the Law", Gunpolicy.org. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
  8. "American Samoa Firearms Law", American Samoa Territorial Law. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
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