Quote Originally Posted by jake View Post
Thanks both, but that's not what I'm asking. I'm asking what would happen if a tourist tried to buy a firearm, more specifically what penalties they might face.
A tourist would be refused sale. As long as it didn't look like they were knowingly trying to violate the law it would probably end with that.

Usually the "crime" surrounding attempted purchases by prohibited persons is when they lie on the 4473 form.