Gun Law Question

[mcmurry]

Ok, I don't know much about gun laws- is it illeagle to go to another state and buy a gun? In particular, a handgun? I was recently in Bossier City at the BassPro, and the clerk at the counter was telling a guy from Texas, Who claimed to be a LEO, that he couldn't sell him a pistol because he was from out of state. Does this pertain to just handguns? It's the closest BassPro to South Arkansas and has a larger collection of guns to look at and see which ones fit my hand. Thanks.

 

[General Geoff]

The legal way to purchase a handgun from out of state is to have it mailed to an FFL in your home state, and pick it up from them. Payment arrangements would depend on the FFLs in question, but I don't see why you couldn't pay the original out of state FFL their price, then just pay transfer fee to your in-state FFL for the final "purchase."

 

[hksw]

You can buy a handgun in another state but you have to complete the transfer through an FFL in your state. (That is, you cannot buy the gun and transport it over state lines, it must be shipped to an FFL in your state who will transfer it to you.) Handguns only (for most states, not sure about California concerning longguns). Some states restrict longgun sales to bordering states only but I am not sure if this is enforceable as Fed law says OK to out of state purchases for longguns without restrictions. (I'm not willing to challenge Ohio's law which has this restriction.)

 

[22-rimfire]

You can purchase any long gun directly from that store even though you are a resident of Arkansas and the store is in Bossier City, LA. As mentioned, handguns have to be shipped to an FFL in your state for your to pickup. I have paid the out of state dealer directly and had them ship to my selected dealer. You will pay a transfer fee and probably a fee for the NICs background check. It pays to make advance arrangements with the local FFL so there is no misunderstanding. That dealer will have to fax a copy of their FFL license to Bass Pro prior to their shipping the gun.

It is a little inconvenient, but not terribly so as long as you have a dealer locally that you can finish the purchase with. Cost a little bit more due to shipping.

Bass Pro and Cabelas run into this all the time since their stores attract a lot of tourists or outdoors people who own firearms from many states.

 

[JerryM]

This question is asked a lot, it seems. Nothing wrong with that as it is part of why we are here. We want to help folks when we can.

But considering how often it is asked, would it not be a good sticky?

Jerry

 

[gunsmith]

The poor spelling makes it less than ideal for a sticky

Stickies should be well written and words like "legal" should be spelled correctly.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Stickies should be well written and words like "legal" should be spelled correctly.

You got a problem with ailing raptors buying handguns out of state?