Buying a handgun, what rules are there?

[Gobd]

I've read and been told that I will have problems buying a handgun in New Mexico because I am a resident of Washington state and not NM. Here is what I read:

No state permit is required to purchase a rifle, shotgun or handgun. Residents of states contiguous to New Mexico may purchase firearms in New Mexico. Residents of New Mexico may purchase firearms in states contiguous to New Mexico.

Is this true? If it is true is there any way to buy a handgun while I am in NM such as GunBroker or anything else?

 

[kingpin008]

You can buy a handgun in NM if you're a resident of another state, you just need to have it shipped back to a FFL in your home state to be able to take posession of it. You cannot take posession at the shop in NM, no matter what the local law.

However - as long as the gun is legal in your state and in NM, you can buy a long gun (rifle, shotgun) and take posession as soon as you pay & pass the various background checks.

While it is possible to buy a handgun in another state and have it shipped to your home state, this will cost extra depending on what the dealer you buy from, and your home dealer charge for doing transfers. Often, it's easier and cheaper to just buy from local shops when factoring in transfer fees and shipping hassles.

 

[Trebor]

Kingpin is correct. I also want to add that it doesn't matter if you want to purchase the gun from a FFL dealer or a private seller. Either way the gun has to be shipped to a FFL dealer in NM before you can take possesion of the firearm.

 

[22-rimfire]

Unless the handgun is really special, I am a firm believer in buying within your own state. Collector stuff is a different ballgame. Since I'm in TN and often run into people from GA and KY, you can get into trouble buying from a non-TN resident with knowledge that they are out of state which is illegal for both the buyer and seller even though you may only live a few miles apart but in different states.

 

[Gobd]

So I can purchase a gun in NM and have it shipped to an FFL in my home state, but there is no way to actually have the gun in my possession without returning to my home state? I don't plan on going home until Winter break so that means quite a wait for me.

 

[kingpin008]

Right. As a non-resident, you can buy the gun there, but you MUST ship to a FFL in your state before you lay hands on the gun.