I've been reading and lurking here for a couple weeks and haven't seen this question specifically addressed, so I've signed up to ask...
What are the different ways to legally purchase a gun? I live in VA and have read a bit at packing.org. I understand the steps to get a permit to carry a concealed weapon and such, but I don't understand the actual steps to purchase a firearm.
For example, I know that I can go to a gun store and do a background check, get fingerprinted, etc and buy the gun there. But, what if I buy a gun from a private party? What about at a gun show? What must be done?
I'm in my mid-30's and haven't purchased or owned a firearm for about 15 years. At that time, I lived in Indiana and I could just walk into my local gun store and buy a shotgun and walk out without doing any paperwork at all. My uncle was a big gun owner and would buy guns (long and pistols) at gun shows and locally through classifieds and as far as I know he never had to fill out any paperwork. He had a permit to carry a concealed weapon and I remember being with him when he got pulled over...he simply showed his permit and the officer never asked to see the gun or ask where it came from.
I'm a perfectly law abiding citizen with a family and have nothing to hide. That being said, I consider myself a libertarian and don't like the idea of being fingerprinted and registering my property with government. Is this still possible today? Is it still legal to buy a gun from a friend, neighbor, etc, or from a gun show, and not have to jump through hoops to purchase a firearm which I consider my 'right'?
What are the different ways to legally purchase a gun? I live in VA and have read a bit at packing.org. I understand the steps to get a permit to carry a concealed weapon and such, but I don't understand the actual steps to purchase a firearm.
For example, I know that I can go to a gun store and do a background check, get fingerprinted, etc and buy the gun there. But, what if I buy a gun from a private party? What about at a gun show? What must be done?
I'm in my mid-30's and haven't purchased or owned a firearm for about 15 years. At that time, I lived in Indiana and I could just walk into my local gun store and buy a shotgun and walk out without doing any paperwork at all. My uncle was a big gun owner and would buy guns (long and pistols) at gun shows and locally through classifieds and as far as I know he never had to fill out any paperwork. He had a permit to carry a concealed weapon and I remember being with him when he got pulled over...he simply showed his permit and the officer never asked to see the gun or ask where it came from.
I'm a perfectly law abiding citizen with a family and have nothing to hide. That being said, I consider myself a libertarian and don't like the idea of being fingerprinted and registering my property with government. Is this still possible today? Is it still legal to buy a gun from a friend, neighbor, etc, or from a gun show, and not have to jump through hoops to purchase a firearm which I consider my 'right'?