gun tourism usa

US gun crime: why tourists are being warned to avoid and beware

Visiting Lecturer, School of Architecture + Cities, University of Westminster

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Ross Bennett-Cook does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

University of Westminster provides funding as a member of The Conversation UK.

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The year 2023 is on track to be the worst in recent history for mass shootings in the US, according to the Gun Violence Archive database. Some commentators are questioning whether security fears surrounding gun violence and mass shootings could keep international fans away from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Los Angeles.

No other developed nation has mass shootings at the same scale or frequency as the US. Estimates suggest that Americans own 393 million of the 857 million civilian guns available, around 46% of the world’s civilian gun ownership.

A 2013 report by the European Commission found just 5% of EU citizens owned a gun, compared to around 32% of Americans in 2020. And the US figure is expected to have increased in response to recent shootings

Read more: US shootings: Norway and Finland have similar levels of gun ownership, but far less gun crime

Whenever another mass shooting takes place, foreign politicians and media react with incomprehension that American gun laws differ so much from those of most other western nations. Thirteen US states allow open carrying of a gun without a permit , and 25 (soon to be be 26) don’t require a permit to wear a concealed gun in public.

Several nations have now issued their citizens with US travel warnings relating to gun violence.

Uruguay has suggested its citizens avoid certain cities, including Detroit and Baltimore. Germany warns of the possibility of killing sprees and that arms and ammunition purchases have increased significantly since the COVID-19 crisis.

Canada now recommends its citizens familiarise themselves with how to respond to an active shooter before visiting and warns of mass shootings. Australia ’s official travel advice warns “gun crime is prevalent”.

Even Venezuela , ranked one of the world’s most dangerous countries , issued its highest advisory against travel to the US following mass shootings, starting from 2019.

Read more: Florida 'freakishness': why the sunshine state might have lost its appeal

China has also warned its citizens that they were travelling to a country with “frequent shootings”. The New York Times reported that the Chinese foreign ministry issued an advisory urging citizens to “be careful and prepare for the possibility that gun crimes may occur at workplaces, schools, at home and at tourist sites”.

In 2022, research by data analysis group Morning Consult found that a staggering 93% of Chinese nationals who wanted to visit the US were so worried about violent crime that they may not make a trip.

Tourism and violence

Journalist Rosie Spinks has questioned how America has managed to remain a “safe” country to visit, while similar incidents happening elsewhere would instantly cause countries to be locked off to international visitors.

In June 2015, a mass shooting took place in the Tunisian resort of Port El Kantaoui, killing 39 people, mostly tourists. The massacre dramatically affected Tunisia’s tourism industry and thousands lost their jobs.

For three years the UK advised against all travel to the country, with much of the world implementing similar policies. Research found that even in other Muslim countries that had no connection to the attack, their tourism industries were negatively impacted.

That is not to say that governments were wrong for cancelling holidays to Tunisia. Tourists’ safety should always be top priority.

Yet in the year of the Tunisia shooting, there were 372 mass shootings in the US. Meanwhile, the country welcomed a record number of overseas visitors. The difference here may be that Tunisian shootings were aimed at tourists.

Perhaps a destination’s ability to rebound after tragedy is often down not to the realities on the ground, but of our perceptions of safety . And these perceptions often come from prejudices, media bias, and governmental advice that favours certain destinations.

How do nations protect tourists?

Safety and security are vital for the tourism industry. More than any other economic activity, the success or failure of a tourism destination depends on being able to provide a safe and secure environment for visitors.

Some places opt to cocoon their tourists in enclave resorts , where they are protected in specific zones. The Egyptian resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh, for example, has been encircled by a 22-mile long, six-metre high wall, to protect its tourists after several violent incidents shook the Egyptian tourism industry.

Those wishing to enter the resort by road must now pass through gates equipped with cameras and scanners, while planes land directly within its walled interior.

Although these measures may seem unrealistic for the US, some areas that rely heavily on tourism have already put controls in place to protect their visitors. Loaded guns were once banned in all US national parks and wildlife reserves, until Barack Obama controversially overturned the 20-year law during his first month in office.

Walt Disney World has a strict no-gun rule in its theme park, yet reported seeing a sharp increase in people trying to enter with concealed weapons in 2021.

Gun violence in the US doesn’t seem to be going away, but global awareness and scrutiny of US gun laws and violence seems to be increasing.

Tourism is a big business in the US: in 2019 international visitors injected a staggering $233.5 bn (£187.6 bn) into the American economy. If the US hopes to maintain a positive tourism image and continue to attract visitors, it may soon have to consider how gun safety looks to the outside world.

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4 Travel Destinations Gun Lovers Need to Visit

For gun enthusiasts, the United States offers a plethora of travel destinations that cater to their passion for firearms. From shooting ranges and historical sites to firearm-themed events and exhibitions, there are numerous locations across the country that provide a unique and exciting experience for gun lovers.

In this article, we will explore some of the best travel destinations in the United States for those with an interest in guns.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas offers more than just its casinos and nightlife . The entertainment capital of the world is also home to an array of gun-related experiences for firearms enthusiasts.

Visitors can check out the expansive indoor and outdoor shooting ranges that allow participants to shoot pistols , rifles , and fully automatic weapons.

Some ranges, like Battlefield Vegas , go beyond standard weapons, offering packages that include:

• Flamethrower, Grenade Launcher, and Mortar experiences.
• Driving tanks and other military vehicles.

Las Vegas also hosts the annual Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show ( SHOT Show ), where industry professionals and gun enthusiasts can discover the latest advancements in firearms and related accessories.

Cody, Wyoming

Nestled near the eastern entrance of Yellowstone National Park, Cody is a haven for gun lovers and history buffs alike.

It is home to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West , a world-renowned museum that houses an extensive collection of firearms, including historic rifles, pistols, and firearms used by legendary figures such as Buffalo Bill Cody himself.

The museum offers engaging exhibits, educational programs, and even live demonstrations, providing a comprehensive understanding of America's firearms heritage.

NRA National Firearms Museum - Fairfax, Virginia

Situated just outside of Washington, D.C., the National Firearms Museum is a must-visit destination for gun aficionados.

Operated by the National Rifle Association, the museum showcases an incredible collection of firearms, spanning centuries of American history. From Civil War-era muskets to modern sporting rifles, the exhibits provide a comprehensive overview of the evolution of firearms in the United States.

Anchorage, Alaska

For those seeking a unique outdoor experience with firearms, Anchorage is an excellent choice. Alaska's vast wilderness provides ample opportunities for hunting and sport shooting, allowing gun enthusiasts to test their skills in breathtaking landscapes.

Moreover, Anchorage hosts the Great Alaska Sportsman Show, a popular event that showcases the latest outdoor equipment, including firearms, hunting gear, and fishing tackle.

The United States offers a diverse range of travel destinations that cater to gun enthusiasts. Whether you're interested in experiencing the adrenaline rush at shooting ranges in Las Vegas, exploring the rich history of firearms in Cody, or immersing yourself in outdoor recreational activities in Anchorage, there's something for every firearms lover.

These destinations provide opportunities to deepen your knowledge, improve your shooting skills, and connect with fellow gun enthusiasts.

Happy travels!

THE 10 BEST United States Shooting Ranges

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1. Battlefield Vegas

2. Lock & Load Miami

3. Machine Guns Vegas

4. Las Vegas Shooting Center

5. The Range 702

6. Machine Gun America

7. Royal Range USA

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15. Gunfighter Canyon Indoor Shooting Experience

16. American Shooters

17. Tampa Bay Sporting Clays and Archery

18. Montgomery Indoor Shooting Complex

19. T&T Tactical

20. Cody Firearms Experience, LLC

21. Bury The Hatchet Bloomfield - Axe Throwing

22. Right On Target

23. Pheasant Hollow Farms & Gun Club

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Gun Laws for 50 States — Don’t Get Busted While Traveling

Will you be traveling (with guns) to other states this summer? Are you concerned about the laws that might apply when you are transporting firearms across state lines? Or are you puzzled about the requirements for obtaining a carry permit in your own state? If you have any of these questions, you should definitely get expert guidance on State statutes and regulations controlling firearms. To do that, you can purchase Attorney Scott Kappas’s Traveler’s Guide to the Firearms Laws of the 50 States for just $11.85 on Amazon . The latest 2022 edition includes 100+ updates since last year. In addition, there are multiple new and expanded sections for 2022.

MORE INFO at GunlawGuide.com | CLICK HERE for Sample Pages

Free State Law Summaries Online

If you don’t want to spend the $12-$16 bucks, there is a FREE alternative. There’s a very helpful set of State Law Summaries on the web, presented by PewPewTactical.com . Despite the silly name, the PewPewTactical website has an abundance of information that is particularly beneficial for pistol shooters and CCW holders.

One of the best features of PewPewTactical.com is the Gun Laws by State online reference guide. We looked through four of these State Law Summaries and were impressed by the depth of the coverage. But we caution — if you have specific legal questions, particularly with recently-enacted statutes, you should consult a licensed attorney for your state (or the state to which you will travel). In addition, many of the State Law Summaries have not been updated for 3-5 YEARS! But they are still a good place to start. Below are links to state law articles from PewPewTactical.com. To access any State summary, simply click the State name below:

Gun Laws by State — FREE Summaries

CLICK state name to access each article.

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• Know the Law — Resources Explain Gun Laws in All 50 States
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• Don’t Get Busted — Learn the Gun Laws in All 50 U.S. States
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Gun Violence Creates a Troubling New Reality for U.S. Tourism’s Hard Sell

Lebawit Lily Girma , Skift

June 15th, 2022 at 9:00 AM EDT

Even without entry test requirements, travelers are likely to pause before rushing back to a country where hate crimes and mass shootings are becoming far too commonplace. How will the U.S. travel industry tackle one of the greatest potential threats to its recovery of international travel?

Lebawit Lily Girma

”Breaking news: USA hoping to increase tourism with gifts at border entries!” reads the headline on a sketch of a U.S. border patrol officer handing over a jacket to a visitor sitting in his car. “Welcome to America. Here’s your complimentary bulletproof vest.”  

Granted it’s a meme, on Twitter , and it’s no laughing matter.

But the message evokes a stark reality: the country’s worsening wave of hate crimes combined with mass shootings — this year is on pace to beat last year’s record — may present a bigger impediment to America’s long-term international tourism rebound and competitiveness than any pesky Covid entry protocol.

While it’s true that gun violence didn’t sway opinions to visit the U.S. in the past, that consumer mindset and socio-political context were pre-pandemic. The frequency of mass shootings since then in major cities, plus the nature of the crimes leaning towards race, religion and sexual orientation, and an increase in legislation curbing the rights of LGBTQ and Black communities, all paint a troubling cultural shift in the U.S. towards intolerance, fueled by divisive politics.   

“We understand that the events and headlines we have been seeing may cause concerns to those abroad — we as American citizens also share that concern,” said Chris Thompson, CEO of BrandUSA , in an emailed statement.

Thompson added that one of America’s foundational strengths is its cultural diversity and that BrandUSA’s message to international visitors is that the overwhelming majority of those who live in the U.S. are warm and welcoming people who embrace the diverse nature of our country.

“While violent incidents are always of concern to us and our industry, we have been encouraged that, in recent days, members of Congress on both sides of the aisle are nearing agreement on legislative solutions to better protect U.S. communities, which have earned widespread support by Americans,” said Roger Dow, CEO of U.S. Travel Association , in an emailed statement.

Dow said that U.S. Travel is anxious to see that action advance.

Elliott Ferguson, CEO of Destination DC , told Skift that this was indeed an issue at the national level, and that the U.S. travel industry has been discussing it, alongside other hurdles such as visas and testing requirements, and seeing traction in a positive direction with the current bipartisan conversation on gun laws.

“I think one, this is a big country, and two, we need to address the issue — but it’s not an issue where I feel unsafe walking down the street or traveling in the U.S,“ said Ferguson, adding that part of the context should involve the destination in question within the U.S.  

“My office is in Chinatown — I don’t ever want to paint a picture that everything is rosy, but at the same time when you think about a town like in Washington, that has over 180 embassies, people from all over the world, you don’t have a sense of hate crimes tied to being in a city like Washington, which I think is also a part of the conversation,” said Ferguson.

There are no current surveys examining how much gun violence may be deterring travel to America this year. The U.S. Travel Association expects the removal of pre-arrival testing requirements will bring in an additional five million visitors and $90 million in spending by the end of 2022.  But the road to inbound visitation recovery remains long.  International arrivals reached 22 million in 2021, down from pre-pandemic levels of 80 million visitors a year.

Throw in inflation, and the absence of key source market travelers, and the U.S. may have an uphill battle in working towards its new goal of 90 million international visitors a year by 2027 and an annual $279 billion in revenue. The latest consumer sentiment data from BrandUSA shows that likelihood to travel to the U.S. in the next 12 months is only up for South Korea compared to 2019 levels.

As long-haul tourists plan to travel again en masse with more destination choices at their fingertips, is America overestimating its allure as a vacation destination? How will U.S. tourism leaders impart confidence to their international visitors, in a way that goes beyond waiting and watching, and shows that America values the safety of its diverse communities and BIPOC travelers? How will it compete with regions like Europe, now forecasted to be the best performing this year?

The Rise in Mass Shootings and Hate-Based Crimes

There were 611 mass shooting incidents in the U.S. in 2020, a steady increase since 2014 when there were 269, but also a dramatic bump since the pandemic, according to the Gun Violence Archive . So far this first half of 2022, there have been 264 mass shootings, plus 8,816 people killed by guns.  

Hate crimes have risen by a whopping 39 percent in America’s big cities, including anti-Asian, anti-Jewish and anti-LGBTQ crimes, to the point where the FBI recently launched a series of initiatives , including a “National Anti-Hate Crimes” campaign, with billboards, radio ads, and social media. 

A recent investigation also reveals that anti-Black hate crimes in particular rank among the highest in number and have been on a steady ascent since Barack Obama’s election as president of the United States. Cities such as Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Jose have seen huge increases and mass shootings have spiked as well in Republican states. 

The past two years’ hate-motivated incidents — the mass shooting of three spas in Atlanta, the mass shooting in Buffalo targeting Black residents at the supermarket, and the mass murder Mexican American children and teachers at an elementary school in Uvalde, among others — have placed America at a potential turning point in addressing decades of rising gun violence and it’s put international visitors on alert. 

“I feel that I could be targeted because of the way I look because the violence against Asians and Black people doesnt seem to be decreasing, especially with the ready access to guns,” said Larissa  De Villa, an Australian-Asian IT professional at a bank in Australia, who began avoiding America when Donald Trump’s divisive immigration policies emerged. 

Social media and news seem to indicate Americans don’t feel safe either, De Villa said, so how much safer might tourists feel?

“My husband and I have been finding it significantly less appealing — even more distasteful — to travel back to the States at the moment,” said David Paul Appell, veteran travel writer and co-owner of travel site Tripatini , who is currently based in Madrid. “Not just because of the appalling epidemic of mass shootings and rising hate crimes, but more generally because of the increasing toxicity, lack of civility, and sometimes downright stupidity of too much of the country’s politics and culture.”

Appell said the couple had planned to spend the winter in South Beach, but that is no longer the case. “We find ourselves wanting to spend as little time as possible in the U.S., mostly to see family and friends. It’s really a shame, because there are places which are still on our bucket list like New Mexico and the Pacific Northwest, but frankly the impetus just isn’t there anymore.”

Lavinia D’Souza, a U.K.-based analyst and writer at Continent Hop , said that the mass shootings taking place in popular areas of U.S. cities, in addition to relaxed pandemic rules, have given her pause. 

“As a tourist, it makes me unsure about visiting anytime soon and even if I do I will probably try to stay away from touristy places,” said D’Souza.  

That “white supremacy is as American as applie pie ” is the sentiment that’s sticking in the media and minds of global consumers, but it’s also a phenomenon that’s very real for U.S. citizens of color. 

Predictions are already out that election years see increased violence. As recently as June 6, 2022, the week that U.S. travel leaders were celebrating the return of international suppliers and media at IPW in Orlando, an Asian American young man was attacked in San Francisco. Then followed a white supremacist group’s plan to disrupt a Pride event in Idaho which was thwarted at the end of the first week of June.

For Destination DC’s Ferguson, it’s about context in destination as well as providing safety information for travelers. “The gun laws in Washington, DC are far more stringent than anywhere else in the U.S.,” he said. 

The statistics tied to some of these shootings show that it’s a small percentage of an opportunity for someone to be in one of those even though they are horrible and unfortunate, Ferguson added. “That’s why we are focus on changing the gun laws and communicating to the global community, the overall feeling of being in America and safety.”

Destination DC provides safety advice online for visitors, meeting planners and associations on how to navigate urban environments. “You’re going to see [bad news] more than you’re going to see the peaceful rallies or even the gun rights rally that was held in the city over the weekend that attracted hundreds of thousands of people.” 

Presumably violence is on an uptick in major destinatons post-pandemic, including in Cancun, Mexico, where the military have been sent to protect tourist areas, while Toronto, Canada also sees an increase in hate crimes. 

But the U.S. still ranks at the top of the list in the highest number of gun deaths among nations considered to be “developed.” What’s more, it is the hate-based nature of the cimes that poses the greatest threat to rebuilding confidence in America as a destination that is welcoming to all. 

A New National Tourism Plan That’s Pro-Equity, Pro-Sustainability

America’s new National Travel and Tourism Strategy released by the U.S. Department of Commerce this month, reveals just how far the industry has come in aiming to rebuild better. The plan’s policies, laid out in four key pillars , center on principles of equity, inclusion and sustainability, including:

• Promoting the U.S. as a travel destination: marketing efforts must broaden “to encourage visitation to underserved communities”
• Ensuring diverse, inclusive, accessible tourism experiences, which means “focusing on underserved communities” in developing diverse tourism products 
• Building a sustainable sector, by protecting nature and ensuring resilience against climate change.

The plan also recognizes that the diversity of the United States is a significant asset that attracts tourists, and thus prioritizes outreach to diverse communties. This includes the need for imagery that conveys “audiences of all abilities and backgrounds so everyone can see themselves enjoying federal lands and waters and feel welcome and safe there.”

“The new National Travel and Tourism Strategy comes at an important time when international travel spending in the U.S. was still 78% below 2019 levels in 2021,” said U.S. Travel’s Dow. “The strategy sets out specific actions that the government can take to rebuild our travel economy and make it more globally competitive than it was before the pandemic.”

For all of its sustainability, equity and inclusion cornerstones, however, America’s national tourism strategy to lure the international visitor is silent on the issue of communicating safety and security for communities of color around the nation.

A new national tourism plan crafted and released just as historic levels of violence against America’s diversity may have been a propitious time to include, as a policy, a targeted DEI marketing strategy to tackle visitor safety, under the “promoting the US as a travel destination” pillar. 

The plan also begs the question for all tourism: can a sustainable and equitable travel industry emerge in a nation that struggles with prioritizing racial justice?

Brand USA and Disney Tap Into America’s Pop Culture Power

“Generations of Magic” is the new multilingual campaign launched this month by Brand USA, in collaboration with Walt Disney World — a company most recently embroiled in controversy and an employee walk-out for not speaking out against anti-LGBTQ legislation in Florida. 

The video shows a family enjoying a visit to the world-famous theme park, as the grandfather reads out loud the letter he’s writing to his grandchild about exploring, keeping an open mind and remembering “the world is a more magical place with you in it.”

Is betting on the allure of American pop culture sufficient in bringing back international tourists in this transformed travel ecosystem?

This reporter recalls the unforgettable experience of Disney World as a seven-year old African kid who was visiting America for the first time, long before becoming a U.S. citizen. But the terror of ongoing race-targeted attacks and shootings in public spaces and the lack of political will to curb them has since overshadowed those memories.

The allure of Disney may well bring back families with pent-up travel desire who have little to fear in today’s America or have context.

“In Europe there is a deep sense that US rampant gun violence is a totally domestic issue, tragic of course, both a stain to the country’s image and a total mystery, but that it won’t affect the visitor’s everyday life,” said Vincent Bontoux, a consultant based in France, who just returned from a five-day trip to New York City with his 87-year-old mother. She was eager to revisit the city where she met Bontoux’s father in 1956, who passed away last year.

Bontoux said that among the French, as much as everybody wonders why on earth Congress steadfastly refuses to vote any gun control law, no one would cancel a US side vacation because of any gun-related danger. He attributes this to a lack of experiencing mass shootings, which don’t exist in France, as well as two years of no travel.

“French tourists who vacation abroad also like to ‘play it political,'” added Bontoux. “For an American vacation, they will stress they only go to blue cities and states, not the Trumpland they despise.”

For travelers of color, as well as LGBTQ communities, the cycle of news flashing on their screens faster than they can say Disney and the slim odds of being at the wrong place at the wrong time might not shake the feeling that America isn’t the place to be right now. For them, safety in travel is about well-being and inclusion — at home and abroad. The risk is in the hundreds of billions of dollars that BIPOC travelers and their allies contribute to U.S. tourism might ultimately shift elsewhere.

“Collectively, when you look at all the reasons why America is an attractive destination, that has not changed,” said Destination DC’s Ferguson. “There’s still a level of interest in our country that fortunately for us has not been skewed 100 percent. We still have to focus on those things that make us a great nation and those things that don’t make us a great nation, as it pertains to the bipartisan politics, which is unfortunate.”

UPDATED: This story was updated to include statements received from the U.S. Travel Association.

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Tags: equity , guns , sustainability , us travel , usa

Photo credit: The rise in mass shootings and hate crimes in the U.S. may well impact its international visitation rebound. Chip Vincent / Unsplash

Has gun violence made America too dangerous for tourists?

There is demonstrably more gun violence in the U.S. than in any other large, wealthy country

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The U.S. is a wonderful tourist destination, with vibrant cities, scenic national parks, world-class museums and sports arenas, and a delicious panoply of food and beverages, among other delights and attractions.

Or, looked at another way, the U.S. is a violent hellscape where wealthy cities are filled with homeless encampments , the government was nearly overthrown in a coup, life expectancy is lower — and health care spending much higher — than in any other large and wealthy nation on Earth, civilian-owned guns far outnumber people, a mass shooting happens about once a day, school shootings are so prevalent that kindergartners are drilled on active shooter scenarios, and even something as purely American as Little League baseball games are thrown into chaos by random gunfire.

That latter view got a fresh airing after yet another spate of mass shootings — this time at a Tennessee private school, a Kentucky bank, a Texas neighborhood, a Texas outlet mall — and a series of encounters where people were shot just for mistakenly approaching the shooter's house or car. A Twitter user in Australia then dug up and posted a video the FBI released in September 2020 — when few people were going out — on how to survive a mass shooting in a public space.

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"Broken country," tweeted Kat Abu of Media Matters. "I am from Australia — can someone please explain if this is parody or not?" another Twitter user, Stu Mac, asked earnestly . It was not. "Other countries don't have to do this," said another Australian . "People in other countries don't even have to think about things like this." Another response : "This should be shown on international flights as the plane lands in America." And another : "American Visas should come with a warning like a cigarette pack."

The replies were filled with foreigners agreeing that the video and its necessity are crazy, some lamentations that the U.S. is hosting the next World Cup, Americans saying they have to watch videos like this for work and at school, others saying they cried after watching the video, and a few people calling it proof you should carry a gun to bars and restaurants.

So, is America a top-level destination for families and other tourists, or a nation too dangerous for all but the most hardened, risk-tolerant travelers?

What do other countries say, officially?

For decades, the U.S. has "enjoyed the supremacy and monopoly of issuing travel warnings" for citizens considering visits to "countries marred by violence or terrorism," the Tourism Academy travel industry school observed in a June 2022 essay. "The balance of power has however shifted, with foreign nations warning their citizens to avoid traveling to the United States," starting after a pair of back-to-back deadly mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton, Ohio, in 2019.

Even then, the number of countries raising their warning levels was small: Venezuela and Uruguay urged their citizens to avoid travel to the U.S., while the Japanese Consulate in Detroit, 200 miles north of Dayton, noted that the U.S. is a "gun society" and advised Japanese citizens they "should be aware of the potential for gunfire incidents everywhere in the United States." Amnesty International called on "people worldwide to exercise caution and have an emergency contingency plan when traveling throughout the USA" due to "ongoing high levels of gun violence in the country."

Other countries, like New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, and Germany, have cautioned their citizens about America's gun violence without advising them to stay away. Most of the big drivers of U.S. tourism counsel would-be visitors that "the U.S. is more violent than what you're used to," they should "learn to take precautions that you might not have to take at home," and "violent crime rarely involves tourists," CNN Travel reported in January.

Concern about U.S. gun violence and tourism isn't exactly new, as this 2015 New Yorker cartoon illustrates.

But before 2019, foreign tourists to the U.S. were mostly warned about things like "expensive emergency health care, overly sensitive attitudes toward nude sunbathing, and gross tap water," Mental Floss reported in 2016, with examples.

But mass killings started to rise in the U.S. in 2019, and they have kept going up amid a subsequent jump in gun sales and mental and financial stress from the Covid-19 pandemic, James Alan Fox, a gun violence expert at Northeastern University, told USA Today . Mass shootings "are the kinds of events that make headlines, scare people, and make them look around when they go into a supermarket or retail store," he added. The U.S. typically experiences about six public mass shootings a year, but it reached that number in May with the outlet mall shooting in Allen, Texas.

Is America getting a free pass from wealthy allies?

Yes, "even in our thoroughly globalized world, there is an inherent unfairness in how we determine what countries are 'safe' to visit in the wake of a tragedy," and the U.S. especially gets a "seemingly infinite benefit of the doubt," Rosie Spinks wrote at Skift in 2019. Tourism lives and dies on perception, and America gets to "indulge in a kind of identity-forging belief that it is 'the greatest country in the world' — even when, say, it's the only country in the world that suffers mass shootings to this degree."

In fact, unlike the State Department's Level 2 advisory for parts of Europe or its guidance "for Turkey — which, at Level 3, advises travelers to 'reconsider travel' and stay away from regions near the Syrian and Iraqi border — there is no rhyme or reason to where the threat of a mass shooting in the U.S. lies," Spinks pointed out. You could get shot anywhere, at any time, "and sure, while the statistical likelihood of a traveler being caught up in a mass shooting in America is low, is it any lower than that of a terrorism attack in Turkey or Western Europe?"

Has gun violence affected tourism?

Anecdotally, yes. And there is some data that suggests tourism drops off for months in places where there were high-profile mass shootings, like Las Vegas after the Route 91 Harvest country music festival in 2017 and Orlando after 2016's Pulse nightclub killings.

Nationally, foreign tourism numbers dipped across the U.S. a bit in 2019, then plummeted in 2020 and 2021, after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. International visitor arrivals jumped 128% between 2021 and 2022, to 50.9 million visitors from 22.3 million, according to the U.S. International Trade Administration , but foreign arrival numbers were still 36% lower than in 2019.

Even after pandemic-related testing requirements to enter the U.S. lifted, "travelers are likely to pause before rushing back to a country where hate crimes and mass shootings are becoming far too commonplace," Lebawit Lily Girma wrote at Skift in June 2022. Travelers do research their destinations while planning a trip, Eastern Kentucky University hospitality and tourism professor Daegeun Kim told USA Today , and the more frequently they see news about gun violence at "a destination where they want to go, it is more likely that it's going to affect their decision-making process."

Canada was the top source of U.S. tourism in 2022, followed closely by Mexico, with Britain a distant third. But "there's no getting around it — gun violence and racial and political division are growing deterrents for Canadians and other international travelers to visit one of the world's great destinations," Bruce Parkinson wrote at Canadian Travel News in May 2022. "We love exploring the United States," but "for many Canadians, real freedom is about living in a civil, tolerant society where gun violence is a minuscule threat. The same goes for when we travel."

And it's not just Canada, Parkinson added. "The fact is that most of the world sees America's unfettered gun laws as bizarre and disturbing. And a growing number are literally afraid of traveling to places where the guy sitting beside them at the bar may have a gun on his hip — and is fully within his rights to do so."

Should tourists shun the U.S.?

"In Europe there is a deep sense that U.S. rampant gun violence is a totally domestic issue, tragic of course, both a stain to the country's image and a total mystery, but that it won't affect the visitor's everyday life," Vincent Bontoux, a consultant based in France who recently visited New York City with his 87-year-old mother, told Skift .

There is demonstrably more gun violence in the U.S. than in any other large, wealthy country — 4.12 firearm homicides per 100,000 people versus 0.18 in Australia and 0.04 in the United Kingdom, USA Today reports , citing research by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. And other U.S. news reaches an international audience as well.

"You just never know how police will behave, what will happen on the border, whether or not you'll be shot by someone," said Alexandra Mirskikh, a Ukrainian living in the Netherlands who now avoids visiting the U.S. "The world is really large," she added. "There are so many places I haven't been."

"We understand that the events and headlines we have been seeing may cause concerns to those abroad — we as American citizens also share that concern," Chris Thompson, CEO of tourism market firm BrandUSA, told Skift in 2022.

"I think one, this is a big country, and two, we need to address the issue — but it's not an issue where I feel unsafe walking down the street or traveling in the U.S," and that context should be made clear, Elliot Ferguson, CEO of Destination DC, told Skift. "Collectively, when you look at all the reasons why America is an attractive destination, that has not changed," he added. "There's still a level of interest in our country that fortunately for us has not been skewed 100%."

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.  

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How to buy a gun in the USA as a tourist

Can you buy a gun in the USA as a tourist? This is a question that gets asked quite a lot online. In this article, you will discover the one way to legal gun ownership as a temporary visitor to the United States.

Step One: The Hunting License

Step two: proof of residence, filling out form 4473, step four: buying ammunition, where you can keep your gun, when you can carry your gun, where you can use your gun, exception 18 usc 922(y)(2).

Every law-abiding US-citizen has the constitutional right granted by the 2nd amendment to “bear arms”. He is allowed to own a weapon or as many weapons as he wants, for that matter.

However, this right does not extend to foreigners residing in the USA on a temporary basis. The second amendment’s right to bear arms has been interpreted, and on this basis laws and regulations enacted, to apply to citizens and permanent residents only. Taken straight from the “Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives” :

An alien admitted to the United States under a nonimmigrant visa is prohibited from shipping, transporting, receiving, or possessing a firearm or ammunition […] 

Now, this is where this article could find an aprupt end if it weren’t for the exception that follows right after:

[…] unless the alien falls within one of the exceptions provided in 18 U.S.C. 922(y)(2), such as: a valid hunting license or permit, admitted for lawful hunting or sporting purposes […]

A valid hunting license or permit admitted for lawful hunting or sporting purposes allows even an alien admitted to the United States under a nonimmigrant visa to buy and own a firearm.

Now it turns out, getting a hunting license in the United States is quite easy. You do not even have to pass an exam or test. Instead you just buy yearly renewable licenses online. For example gooutdoorsflorida.com

The second kick: You do not even need to buy licenses for small game. All that is required from a legal perspective, to fulfill the exception, is a fishing license.

And if you want to avoid having to buy a new license each year, you can get the “lifetime sportsman” license, which as the name states is valid lifelong and for all huntable animals.

After you have obtained your hunting license, you will next need a proof of residence. You do not need a legal right of residence. All that is required are two documents in your name showing an address (proof of address). This could be a rental contract (even temporary/short-term will do), a utility bill (electricity, gas, landline phone service, internet), a car registration, US drivers license, property tax, and several others.

If you are in the country through the Visa Waiver Program, this proof can be avoided completely.

Step Three: Getting your gun(s)

Now you can go into a weapon shop, and buy your desired gun or guns. The dealer will fill out a request with the ‘Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF), the responsible authority.

This will be used to perform a background check. Specific entries in your criminal record will lead to rejection.

For foreigners, without a green card, this request will always return “conditional no” and the ATF will perform a manual review, which takes about one hour.

Item 12d1, “Are you an alien who has been admitted to the United States under a nonimmigrant visa?”, you answer with “Yes”. Same applies to Item 12d2. Item 13: Here you need to enter your USA admission number. Form i94. Fill out the form and download the confirmation. Item 18c: Mention the hunting license.

Most vendors have never filled out the part 12d1/12d2 and you might have to explain to them the process.

After the background check returns the “conditional no” the vendor should call the ATF vendor-hotline, where he will receive the “yes”.

Now you have to wait three business days until you can pick up your weapon.

This is much simpler. You can walk into any shop that sells ammunition, and buy whatever you want. If you look too young, they might ask you for an ID document. It doesn’t matter if you are a foreigner or not.

Your carry rights as an alien

As an alien, you are making use of a very specific exception to get into legal possession of a gun. Under the terms of this exception, much more stringent rules apply when, where and how you are allowed to keep, carry and use your gun.

You are allowed to keep your gun

• in your home (house, apartment, hotel)
• in your car

Under exception 18 USC 922(y)(2) you are not allowed to carry the weapon on you at all times. Only when you are on the direct way to the shooting range or going to a hunt are you allowed to carry the weapon on your person. On the way to the shooting range even open carry would be permitted (though often not advisable)

You are allowed to use your gun on the shooting range and during a legal hunt.

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Has gun violence in the US affected tourism?

Gun violence in the US has had a negative impact on tourism, with potential visitors expressing concerns about safety and security. This has led to decreased tourism in areas where high-profile shootings have occurred, and has also affected the perception of safety for international visitors.

FAQs about Gun Violence and Tourism in the US

1. how has gun violence affected tourism in the us.

Gun violence has had a negative impact on tourism, with potential visitors expressing concerns about safety and security.

2. Have there been any specific areas affected by gun violence?

Yes, areas where high-profile shootings have occurred have seen decreased tourism.

3. Is there a difference in the perception of safety for international visitors?

Yes, gun violence has affected the perception of safety for international visitors.

4. Are there any measures being taken to address this issue?

Some cities and tourist destinations are implementing stricter security measures to address concerns about gun violence.

5. How has the travel industry responded to this issue?

The travel industry has been promoting safety and security measures to reassure potential visitors.

6. Are there any efforts to reduce gun violence in popular tourist areas?

Efforts are being made to reduce gun violence in popular tourist areas through increased law enforcement presence and community outreach programs.

7. Have there been any studies on the impact of gun violence on tourism?

Yes, there have been studies that have shown a correlation between gun violence and decreased tourism.

8. What can tourists do to ensure their safety in the US?

Tourists can stay informed about the areas they plan to visit and follow safety guidelines provided by local authorities.

9. How can the tourism industry address concerns about gun violence?

The tourism industry can work with local governments to implement safety measures and provide accurate information to potential visitors.

10. Are there any international travel advisories related to gun violence in the US?

Some countries have issued travel advisories warning their citizens about the risks of gun violence in certain areas of the US.

11. Are there any initiatives to promote gun safety for tourists in the US?

Some organizations are promoting gun safety and awareness for tourists visiting the US.

12. Has gun violence affected the perception of the US as a safe destination overall?

Gun violence has had an impact on the perception of the US as a safe destination for some potential visitors.

13. Are there any statistics on the decline in tourism due to gun violence?

There have been reports of declines in tourism in areas where high-profile shootings have occurred.

14. How can the government address concerns about gun violence and tourism?

The government can work on implementing stricter gun control measures and increasing security presence in tourist areas.

15. What can businesses in the tourism industry do to address concerns about gun violence?

Businesses can work on promoting safety measures and providing accurate information to potential visitors to address concerns about gun violence.

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About Robert Carlson

Robert has over 15 years in Law Enforcement, with the past eight years as a senior firearms instructor for the largest police department in the South Eastern United States. Specializing in Active Shooters, Counter-Ambush, Low-light, and Patrol Rifles, he has trained thousands of Law Enforcement Officers in firearms. A U.S Air Force combat veteran with over 25 years of service specialized in small arms and tactics training. He is the owner of Brave Defender Training Group LLC, providing advanced firearms and tactical training.

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How are gun violence and tourism related? What we know now about international tourism struggles.

International tourists are attributing their fear of visiting the United States to gun violence, among other safety concerns. Here's what we know now.

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Dozens of united airlines passengers mysteriously fall ill on flight to texas after disembarking cruise ship.

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Dozens of travelers mysteriously fell ill on a United Airlines flight to Texas after disembarking a cruise ship.

The flight from Vancouver, British Columbia, arrived in Houston at Bush Airport around 6:20 p.m. Friday with roughly 30 passengers feeling ill, according to ABC 13.

A travel group of 75 people had been on the cruise before boarding the flight. Of those, about 30 passengers reported feeling sick and having flu-like symptoms and nausea.

It was not immediately clear with what cruise line the passengers had been traveling. United did not return The Post’s request for comment.

Houston Fire Department emergency medical services met the plane as it landed and evaluated three passengers, though none required hospital treatment.

There were 163 passengers and six crew members aboard the flight, according to Fox 26.

In a statement, United said it would deep clean the plane before returning it to service.

“Several passengers who had been on the same cruise and did not feel well were on United Flight 1528 from Vancouver to Houston tonight,” the airline said.

“United Airlines is actively coordinating with health authorities to address the situation. As a precautionary measure, the aircraft will be removed from service and go through a deep cleaning before returning to service.”

The airline added: “Ensuring the health and safety of our passengers and crew remains our top priority.”

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Elections Today

Recent projections, delegate tracker, latest election news, donald trump is convicted of a felony. here's how that affects the 2024 presidential race.

Having been convicted of 34 felonies, Donald Trump cannot own a gun, hold public office or even vote in many states

NEW YORK -- Having been convicted of 34 felonies, Donald Trump cannot own a gun, hold public office or even vote in many states.

But in 158 days, voters across America will decide whether he will return to the White House to serve another four years as the nation's president.

Trump's conviction in his New York hush money trial on Thursday is a stunning development in an already unorthodox presidential election with profound implications for the justice system and perhaps U.S. democracy itself.

But in a deeply divided America, it's unclear whether Trump's status as someone with a felony conviction will have any impact at all on the 2024 election. Trump remains in a competitive position against President Joe Biden this fall, even as the Republican former president now faces the prospect of a prison sentence in the run-up to the November election.

In the short term at least, there were immediate signs that the unanimous guilty verdict was helping to unify the Republican Party’s disparate factions as GOP officials in Congress and in state capitals across the country rallied behind their presumptive presidential nominee, while his campaign expected to benefit from a flood of new fundraising dollars.

Standing outside the courtroom, Trump described the verdict as the result of a “rigged, disgraceful trial.”

“The real verdict is going to be Nov. 5 by the people," Trump said, referring to Election Day. “This is long from over.”

The immediate reaction from elected Democrats was muted by comparison, although the Biden campaign issued a fundraising appeal within minutes of the verdict suggesting that the fundamentals of the election had not changed.

“We're THRILLED that justice has finally been served,” the campaign wrote. “But this convicted criminal can STILL win back the presidency this fall without a huge surge in Democratic support.”

There has been some polling conducted on the impact of a guilty verdict, although such hypothetical scenarios are notoriously difficult to predict.

A recent ABC News/Ipsos poll found that only 4% of Trump’s supporters said they would withdraw their support if he’s convicted of a felony, though an additional 16% said they would reconsider it.

On the eve of the verdict, the Trump campaign released a memo from its polling team suggesting that the impact of the trial is “already baked into the race in target states.”

Trump campaign advisers argued the case would help them motivate their core supporters. So many donations came into WinRed, the platform the campaign uses for fundraising, that it crashed. Aides quickly worked to set up a backup platform to collect money pouring in.

Trump headed Thursday night to a fundraising event scheduled before the verdict, according to a person familiar with his plans who was not authorized to speak publicly.

His two most senior campaign advisers, Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita, were not with him in New York, but in Palm Beach, Florida, where the campaign is headquartered.

And while it may take days or weeks to know for sure, Trump's critics in both parties generally agreed that there may not be much political fallout, although some were hopeful that the convictions would have at least a marginal impact in what will likely be a close election.

Sarah Longwell, founder of Republican Voters Against Trump, who conducts regular focus groups, suggested the guilty verdict may help Biden on the margins by pushing so-called “double haters” — a term used to describe voters who dislike Trump and Biden — away from Trump.

But more than anything, she suggested that voters simply haven't been following the trial very closely.

“The best thing about the trial ending is that it ended," Longwell said, describing the courtroom proceeding as a distraction from more serious issues in the campaign. “There will now be an opportunity to focus the narrative on who Trump is and what a second Trump term would look like.”

Republican pollster Neil Newhouse predicted that the trial may ultimately have little impact in a lightning-fast news environment with several months before early polls open.

“Voters have short memories and even shorter attention spans,” Newhouse said. “Just as the former president’s two impeachments have done little to dim Trump’s support, this guilty verdict may be overshadowed in three weeks by the first presidential debate.”

The judge set sentencing for July 11, just four days before the scheduled start of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

Each of the falsifying business records charges carries up to four years behind bars, though prosecutors have not said whether they intend to seek imprisonment. Nor is it clear whether the judge — who earlier in the trial warned of jail time for gag order violations — would impose that punishment even if asked.

Trump will be able to vote in Florida, where he established residency in 2019, if he is not in prison on Election Day.

And imprisonment would not bar Trump from continuing his pursuit of the White House.

Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump, who was with the former president in court this week and also serves as co-chair of the Republican National Committee, said in a Fox News Channel interview before the verdict that Trump would still try to campaign for the presidency if convicted.

If Trump is given a sentence of home confinement, she said, “We will have him doing virtual rallies and campaign events if that is the case. And we’ll have to play the hand that we’re dealt."

There are no campaign rallies on the calendar for now, though Trump is expected to hold fundraisers next week.

Biden himself has yet to weigh in.

He was spending the night at his family’s beach house in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, after marking the anniversary of his son Beau’s death earlier in the day at church.

Texas voter Steven Guarner, a 24-year-old nurse, said he’s undecided on who he'll vote for in the upcoming election.

Guarner, an independent, said the verdict will be a deciding factor for him once he studies the details of the trial. He didn't think it would sway the many voters who are already decided on the Biden-Trump rematch, however.

“I think his base is the type that might not care much or might agree with him about the court system,” Guarner said of Trump.

Indeed, Republican officials from Florida to Wisconsin to Arkansas and Illinois condemned the verdict as a miscarriage of justice by what they described as a politically motivated prosecutor and blue-state jury.

Brian Schimming, chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin’s executive committee, called the case against Trump a “sham” and a “national embarrassment.”

“There was no justice in New York today,” Schimming charged.

And Michael Perez Ruiz, a 47-year-old who was ordering food shortly after the verdict at Miami's Versailles restaurant, an icon of the city's GOP-leaning Cuban American community, said he would continue to stand by Trump.

“I would vote for him 20 times,” Perez Ruiz said.

AP writers Emily Swanson and Zeke Miller in Washington; Jill Colvin and Michelle L. Price in New York; Todd Richmond in Madison, Wisconsin; Adriana Gomez Licon in Miami; and Valerie Gonzalez in McAllen, Texas, contributed.

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ABC News Live

24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events

12-year-old boy accidentally shoots cousin with gun, charged with homicide: Reports

A 12-year-old boy has been charged with manslaughter and homicide in relation to the fatal shooting of his teenage cousin in Brooklyn, according to multiple reports.

The shooting happened Sunday, said the New York Police Department’s Deputy Commissioner of Public Information. Someone called the police around 10:24 a.m. about a person who had been shot. 

Police did not confirm that the victim and shooter are related but WNBC and WPIX reported that the pair are cousins.

WNBC also reported that the boys were playing with a gun when the teenager was shot.

12-year-old suspect also faces weapons charge

Police found a 14-year-old boy unconscious with a gunshot wound to the chest. EMS took the boy to Brookdale University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police later identified the victim as Josai Guy.

The 12-year-old, who police have not named, was charged the same day with manslaughter, recklessly causing death, criminal negligent homicide and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.

Neighbors told WNBC that Josai, the 14-year-old victim, was a good child who often played with friends at basketball courts in the area.

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at @SaleenMartin or email her at [email protected] .

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Family Turns Out to Support Hunter Biden as Jury Is Selected in Gun Trial

The president’s son is on trial in Wilmington, Del., on three charges that he lied about his drug use on a federal firearms application in 2018. The unusual prosecution carries stiff penalties: up to 25 years in prison and a $750,000 fine.

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Reporting from Wilmington, Del.

• Published June 3, 2024 Updated June 4, 2024, 11:01 a.m. ET

Follow our live updates of Hunter Biden’s trial in a gun case.

Jill Biden, wearing a purple blazer and scribbling on a white legal pad, sat in the first row of a drab fourth-floor courtroom on Monday in a show of support for Hunter Biden, whom she raised as her son, on the first day of his trial on federal firearms charges.

The first lady, who followed hours of mundane interviews with dozens of prospective jurors before the panel was selected on Monday afternoon, rose to her feet when the judge called a short break about halfway through. She walked slowly over to him, offered a long hug, then stroked Mr. Biden’s cheek.

The opening hours of jury selection in Mr. Biden’s trial on charges that he lied about his drug use in applying to buy a handgun in 2018 were, as expected, a high-stakes political spectacle — with a throng of reporters crowding the courthouse while TV crews did live shots, nearly nonstop, after sunrise.

But the presence of Mr. Biden’s family and friends, including his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, his half sister, Ashley Biden, and his close friend Kevin Morris, served as a reminder that the trial was also a profound personal crisis for a family that has had more than its share of travails — in the middle of the most unforgiving presidential campaign in recent memory.

“Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today,” President Biden said in a statement issued after the proceeding began.

“Hunter’s resilience in the face of adversity and the strength he has brought to his recovery are inspiring to us,” added Mr. Biden, who spent Sunday night with his son at the family house in Wilmington. “Our family has been through a lot together, and Jill and I are going to continue to be there for Hunter and our family with our love and support.”

But the trial is also expected to air less flattering details of Hunter Biden’s family life.

The special counsel overseeing the prosecution, David C. Weiss, has signaled that he will call Hunter Biden’s former wife, Kathleen Buhle, who is locked in a long legal battle with him over unpaid alimony, according to prosecutors.

A top deputy to Mr. Weiss, Leo P. Wise, has filed court papers indicating that he also plans to call Hallie Biden, the widow of Hunter Biden’s brother, Beau. Ms. Biden was dating Hunter Biden when he bought the handgun at issue in the case.

By late afternoon, Judge Maryellen Noreika had seated the jury: four Black men, three Black women, three white women and two white men.

The selection process also provided an unexpected glimpse into the insular cultural and political microclimate of Delaware, one of the country’s smallest states, where encounters with the first family were so commonplace as to be almost unremarkable.

One potential juror, a former police officer, matter-of-factly told the judge that he had once worked with Dr. Biden at a local college. Just when it seemed he had passed muster, he let slip that he had supported Ferris Wharton, who unsuccessfully challenged Beau Biden for Delaware attorney general in 2006.

“Next juror, please,” Judge Noreika said, with a slight grin.

Last September, a federal grand jury charged Hunter Biden with three felonies: lying to a federally licensed gun dealer, making a false claim on the federal firearms application used to screen applicants and possessing an illegally obtained gun for 11 days, from Oct. 12 to Oct. 23, 2018.

If convicted, Mr. Biden could face up to 25 years in prison and $750,000 in fines. But nonviolent first-time offenders who have not been accused of using the weapon in another crime rarely get serious prison time for the charges.

Legal experts say it is more likely a sentence could include a central element of the original plea deal — mandatory enrollment in a firearms diversion program intended to reduce incarceration rates for the least serious gun crimes.

Mr. Biden, his legal team and his family are hoping to turn the court’s attention away from his actions during a long period of out-of-control drug and alcohol use to the more universal experiences of families affected by relatives with substance abuse problems, and Mr. Biden’s recent success in staying sober.

Many of the would-be jurors spoke emotionally about their own families’ struggles, with one man breaking down in tears when he talked about a brother-in-law who had been addicted to drugs.

Another juror candidate shared a relative’s history with substance abuse and how it had made her more sympathetic with other people experiencing similar problems.

“It’s a disease, and I don’t look down on that,” she said as Hunter and Jill Biden craned forward in their seats to listen intently. “People have problems.”

Mr. Biden has been sober for years and has written about his difficulty with crack addiction and alcohol dependency in his memoir, which is likely to be used as evidence. Over the past year, the president’s son has submitted to drug testing and passed, according to his lawyer Abbe Lowell.

The gun charges are related to whether Mr. Biden had lied on a standard form issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when he bought a .38-caliber pistol. Prosecutors said he falsely claimed he was not taking drugs at the time. Mr. Biden had the gun for under two weeks, he has said, before Hallie Biden tossed it in a dumpster, fearful that he would use it to harm himself.

It is relatively rare for such gun charges to be brought against a first-time, nonviolent offender like Mr. Biden, unless it is being used as leverage for a confession on other crimes, such as drug trafficking, current and former prosecutors have said.

The gun trial is only the first of two Mr. Biden is facing.

Last month, the federal judge in Los Angeles who is presiding over his tax case agreed to push the start of that trial from later this month to Sept. 5, giving Mr. Biden’s lawyers time to prepare.

While the move came as a relief to the president’s son, it thrusts into the homestretch of the campaign season a trial that is likely to highlight Hunter’s Biden’s efforts to leverage his family’s name into profit.

Mr. Biden has pleaded not guilty to charges of evading a tax assessment , failing to file and pay taxes, and filing a false or fraudulent tax return.

Judge Noreika, an appointee of President Donald J. Trump, tightly controlled her courtroom on Monday, much as she did during the hearing that ended Mr. Biden’s plea agreement last July, and showed every indication of wanting to move things along as quickly as possible.

She swatted down Mr. Lowell’s attempt to disqualify two potential jurors — hours after delivering two small but significant setbacks to Mr. Biden’s defense.

She has also ruled that Mr. Biden’s lawyers cannot refer to the fact that the local authorities declined to prosecute him when the gun was recovered. She also blocked Mr. Weiss from making any reference to the tax case when presenting evidence in Delaware.

For his part, Mr. Biden sat through the jury selection sternly, wearing reading glasses and taking notes.

But when the judge called for the midday break, he sprang from his seat like a student hearing the end-of-day bell, flashed a grin and began fist-bumping and hugging the people who had shown up to support him.

Zach Montague contributed reporting.

Glenn Thrush covers the Department of Justice and has also written about gun violence, civil rights and conditions in the country’s jails and prisons. More about Glenn Thrush

Eileen Sullivan  covers breaking news, the Justice Department, the trials against Donald J. Trump and the Biden administration. More about Eileen Sullivan