Why is the submission of a Form 6 NIA for every importation now necessary?
After the events of September 11th, it was determined that national security and public safety required ATF to know when nonimmigrant aliens are bringing firearms and ammunition into the country and the numbers and types of firearms and ammunition they are bringing in. Moreover, because nonimmigrant aliens generally cannot possess firearms and ammunition in the United States, the permit process is necessary to ensure any nonimmigrant alien bringing firearms or ammunition into the country falls within an exception to the prohibition.