Kinda. You can buy one, pay for it, and start the background check in the store. They don't hand it over until the background check clears, but you did already pay for it. It can take ten minutes, or a few days. I'm sure the shop will give you a refund if it fails, but I can't attest to that. Just went through it a few weeks ago.

Noncitizen residents in the US are protected by the constitution. This includes the second amendment.

Nope. Bought my wife a pink pistol for Christmas and did some research. She's a legal alien, perfectly good to own a weapon.

Funny notes:

I had NO idea how much Filipinos are into 1911 pistols! (The classic Colt .45 style.) I have found my people. I actually have one made in the Philippines, Rock Island Armory, .22WMR.

When I first met my wife I sent her a text about loving the 1911 and how entwined it was with the history of her country. She didn't respond for a bit, thought I blew it.

The gun I linked is some badass bang for the buck (not stumping for that particular vendor). Friend told me how much he loved his, now I get it. If I had some folding money, I'd get the olive version.

Ever been to a show where you can buy without a background check? I haven't. And yes, you can wheel and deal in the parking lot, I guess, never seen that either. It's rare to see anyone outside with a weapon in the open, it's really not done old boy.

Hell, we can't bring guns into the show and there are cops everywhere looking for people fucking around. And that's in NW Florida, a conservative hellhole.

The "gun show loophole" is such a tiny portion of sales it amounts to a rounding error.

CAVEAT: I hardly ever attend those shows. Buncha MAGA nuts, though not as bad as some might imagine. Bought a canteen off a 3% guy, didn't know till I walked off, wish I had his pic. Tried to find him as a vendor and failed. :(

A surprising number of sovcits are black.