IT’S NOT A “LOOPHOLE.” FBI warned six months ago about loophole Pensacola shooter used to obtain a gun.

The law in question was drafted so as to grant the hunting privileges of gentlemen to foreign visitors, on the assumption that the real threat to safety and order came from ill-bred American yahoos. Here’s a summary:

Under U.S.code, foreign nationals who have been lawfully admitted to the USA can purchase and possess a gun under a few conditions:

If they were admitted to the USA for lawful hunting or sporting purposes, or if they are in possession of a U.S.-issued hunting license or permit.

If they are an official representative of a foreign government who is accredited with the U.S. government; if they are accredited with a government-partnered international organization headquartered in the USA; or if they are in transit to or from a country where they are accredited.

If they are an official of a foreign government or a distinguished foreign visitor as designated by the U.S. Department of State.

If they are a foreign law enforcement officer of a friendly foreign government entering the USA on official law enforcement business.

A “loophole” is an accidental omission. This is a policy choice, one that maybe made more sense before some of our foreign visitors or representatives of friendly governments turned out to be Islamist terrorists.