Can I buy a rifle

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Chris Millerlovestina123

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I have no felonies but I have a traffic ticket from many years ago and I want to know will that stop me from buying a semi auto rifle from a dealer,
 
Usually that won't stop you. It's felonies that do that.....and maybe some pc type misdemeaners the political class don't like.
But not traffic tickets.
 
You should be good to go. Be aware for future reference that some motor vehicle violations can stop you from getting a concealed carry license. Behave yourself.
 
yeah only violent misdemeanors in some states and felonies in all states. Or being being mentally ill. and everything else they ask about when filling out the dros.
I have a lead foot, i've gotten a few tickets over 10 years, no one cared.
 
This is the link to the current ATF Form 4473 which you have to fill out to buy a gun from a licensed dealer.
https://www.atf.gov/firearms/docs/4...n-record-over-counter-atf-form-53009/download

You need to be able to truthfully answer "Yes" to question 11a and then "No" to questions 11b through 11i to buy a gun.

Klint Beastwood wrote:
yeah only violent misdemeanors in some states...
Click to expand...

Actually, being convicted (or currently under indictment or charge) for ANY crime for which the maximum penalty is one year or longer is sufficient to disqualify. See lines 11b and 11c on form 4473.

In addition, because the society as a whole has decided its not a good idea for people who beat their spouses and children to be able to out in a fit of pique and acquire the means to go from beating them to killing them, any conviction for domestic violence is disqualifying. See line 11i.

And if you are under certain types of restraining orders, you are not allowed to buy a gun. See line 11h.

Traffic tickets are not in themselves disqualifying so long as the infraction wasn't enough to subject you to a sentence of a year or more. You would probably be all too aware of it if you had that sort of "traffic ticket" because they're the ones that make the 5 o'clock news. So, if your traffic stop didn't conclude with being dragged out of the car while four police offers beat you with their nightsticks and kicked you in the head, the ticket probably isn't a concern. ;)
 
Chris, welcome to THR. You will find this site is populated by knowledgeable folks who will give you the straight skinny on your questions. There is no bullying and the moderators keep everyone on track.

THR rocks.
 
I guess that depends on how old you are?
You need to be 18 as per federal law. Individual states may vary...
 
browningguy said:
Yeah, like beating your wife.
Click to expand...

It only took as long as the first answer to get to a "pc type misdemeanor"...the only one I know of that makes someone prohibited is domestic violence and I don't think it's just the political class that doesn't abide punching your wife or children or parents or whoever in the face...

To answer the OP: read the 4473 and answer the questions. If you answer honestly, you should pass. If you don't pass, you'll need to go through the hassle of finding out why - sometimes mistaken or similar identity, sometimes improperly reported resolved cases (arrested and charged with a felony and reported to NCIC, but dismissed and that not reported to NCIC), but that's really not likely if you're record is clean and and you use your SSN.
 
I hope you can. With the justus "system" being what it is, it could vary by locale.
If you can't, fight it, if you can afford it.
This would be a question for a local lawyer.
Welcome to the forum.
 
Last edited:
Was there ever a warrant issued for your arrest for failure to appear in court to answer for your summons?
 
As long as you properly took care of the ticket and there isn't a warrant out for your arrest. That would make you a fugitive from justice if the ticket rose to a misdemeanor, question 11d on the 4473 form.

Edit: Ah, previous poster beat me to it. lol
 
Wisco said:
It only took as long as the first answer to get to a "pc type misdemeanor"...the only one I know of that makes someone prohibited is domestic violence and I don't think it's just the political class that doesn't abide punching your wife or children or parents or whoever in the face...
.
Click to expand...
My friend can't buy guns because he threw a cup of Mountain Dew in his wife's face to stop her from hitting him. Zero tolerance in action.

On topic, when I was younger, I racked up many traffic violations. About 3 speeding tickets in addition to a couple for exhibition of speed and careless operation. The only way it restricted me from purchasing firearms back then was through lack of funds due to insurance costs.
 
As long as you don't have one of the following:

A felony conviction or convicted or another crime where you could have been sentenced to one year or more in prison even if you received a lesser sentence.
Have a restraining order against you.
Be convicted of a misdemeanor of domestic violence.
Be a fugitive from justice (i.e. have existing warrants).
Be under indictment of a felony OR of a crime in which the penalty is a year or more in jail.
Be adjudicated mentally defective or been committed to a mental institution.
Be dishonorably discharged from the US Armed Forces.
Currently be a user of illegal narcotics.
Renounce your citizenship to the US.
Be an alien illegally in the US.

Not on the list from what I understand can disqualify you from owning a firearm:
Be on the no-fly list.
Be on the terrorist watch list.
 
Wisco said:
It only took as long as the first answer to get to a "pc type misdemeanor"...the only one I know of that makes someone prohibited is domestic violence and I don't think it's just the political class that doesn't abide punching your wife or children or parents or whoever in the face...

To answer the OP: read the 4473 and answer the questions. If you answer honestly, you should pass. If you don't pass, you'll need to go through the hassle of finding out why - sometimes mistaken or similar identity, sometimes improperly reported resolved cases (arrested and charged with a felony and reported to NCIC, but dismissed and that not reported to NCIC), but that's really not likely if you're record is clean and and you use your SSN.
Click to expand...

That's pretty much it. Do the paperwork (4473) and see what happens. Don't be discouraged if you get delayed. Happens to me about half the time.

Good luck.
 
maxxhavoc said:
On topic, when I was younger, I racked up many traffic violations. About 3 speeding tickets in addition to a couple for exhibition of speed and careless operation. The only way it restricted me from purchasing firearms back then was through lack of funds due to insurance costs.
Click to expand...

I have had similar experience to this. Plenty of moving voilations in my younger, stupider years. When I thought I really needed something produced by Chevrolet with a V8, And needed to get everywhere now. But I paid all my fines and have never been held up on a 4473 thus far. *knocks on wood*
 
Wisco said:
It only took as long as the first answer to get to a "pc type misdemeanor"...the only one I know of that makes someone prohibited is domestic violence and I don't think it's just the political class that doesn't abide punching your wife or children or parents or whoever in the face........
Click to expand...


Please don't think I was condoning domestic violence; I wasn't. It's a horrible thing. Perhaps laws against beating a spouse are "politically correct," but otoh, maybe these "PC" laws do serve the cause of justice and should be supported by all humane people.
 
I have gotten a few speeding tickets in my time....They have never been a problem with either the NICS check or renewing my C&R licence.
 
Almost forgot. Welcome to the monkey house! :D Lone Goose pretty much summed it up in post #7. Keep your language clean and don't try to spell California with a "K"... :eek: and you will have smooth sailing.
 
Honestly. Not sure why BATFE even has you fill out the questions. They run a background check when the form is submitted.
 
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