Under 18 U.S.C. 922, what action is required when an illegal alien is in possession of a firearm?

• A. Notify BATF of Firearm Seizure
• B. Document the Incident for Internal Records Only
• C. Turn the Person Over to Local Police for Processing
• D. Secure the Firearm and Release the Person

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that federal reporting and proper handling of firearms are required when a prohibited person possesses a gun. An alien illegally in the United States is barred from firearm possession, so when you encounter such a person with a firearm, the weapon must be seized and the seizure reported to BATF. Notifying BATF ensures the firearm is properly documented, enters the federal tracing system, and that any follow-up investigations can coordinate with federal authorities. This helps maintain chain of custody and ensures the weapon is accounted for and disposed of correctly under federal procedures. Merely logging the incident internally, turning the person over to local police without notifying BATF, or releasing the person while the firearm remains unsecured would not meet federal requirements and could allow the weapon to be misused or lose traceability.