Many people think they can't buy guns.

[jsalcedo]

I was in academy sporting goods looking at a Mossberg shotgun and noticed a father and son drooling over the guns.

The father asked me how long it takes to get a license to buy a gun.
I told him none required except for a drivers license.

"Well, how long do you have to wait to pick up your gun" he asked next.

I told him as long as it takes me to fill out the form and for the clerk to make a 5 min phone cal to NICS.

"Where do you go to register your guns" Was the next question.
No registration required in Texas and in 90% of the US.

He thanked me and ended up buying a marlin .22


I have also had countless discussions about guns with friends and aquaintances that swore I was going to jail for having unregistered guns.


When the Brady seven day wait went into effect in 93
everyone and their dog knew about it. When Brady was nullified by NICS
NOBODY except politcally active handgunners got the news.

I still frequently run into people at the gunshops and pawnshops that think they have to wait 7 days for their gun.

My conclusion derived from 20 years of anecdotal observations is that most folks don't know they can easily go out and buy a gun in most places.

Some are too afraid of red tape and government registration to go out and get that plinking rifle or home defense gun.

I'm not sure if this ignorance is planned by the anti gunners, the liberal media,
oversight or pure accident but it seems RKBA would be well served to let people know about their rights and the laws regarding the purchase of guns.


Of course I know you blue state folks have to jump naked through flaming hoops blindfolded to buy and own handguns but if people knew
how draconian their laws are compared to the rest of the US
maybe it would urge citizens into pushing for repeal.

Has anyone else here made similar observations?

 

[Dave R]

Yup.

And most people I know who have a CCW license don't know that (in Idaho, at least) an FFL does not have to make a NICS call when you purchase a gun--if you have a CCW license. You fill our your 4473, pay your money, and walk out with your gun.

Before I had a CCW I once had to wait 3 days to pick up a gun I had pruchased. The maximum waiting time for a NICS check.

 

[Bigdog57]

Yep, the majority of folks don't know the laws affecting their lives.
On the other hand, many of those same people are convinced that a criminal can waltz into Wal-Mart and buy a full-auto Uzi or AK47 now the AWB has died!
I remarked to a co-worker about having my semi-auto AK, and he was shocked! I had to patiently explain the whole AWB nonsense to him, and let him know the basic laws regarding gun buying and ownership.
So many know only what the rabid HCI and VPC operatives tell them - and we know what that "knowledge" is worth!

 

[ZeroX]

Sort of. Mostly it's explaining to people that you can't just walk into a gun shop, slap down some cash, and walk out with a pair of Mac 10s or an AK.

EDIT: Meant to include that they would be full auto.

 

[geegee]

That's the result of the messengers controlling the message, i.e. mainstream media news and Hollywood programming. How many times have you seen in a TV show some cop say "We found the gun in his apartment, and it's not registered to him." If you think about it, most of the most popular cop shows take place in New York City, where unless you're politically connected, you're not getting any handguns. As a result, the phrases "registered handgun,' "un-registered handgun," "gun that isn't registered to.., etc." have been the constant drum beat to most of America for the past umpteen years.

Ever see or hear just one show where a good guy protected himself with a handgun, and it was a justifiable shooting? I'd love to see a show about a single woman being followed by a stalker, and a friend suggests she get a handgun. And they live in Vermont!

I know I'm preaching to the converted here, but that's my take on it.

 

[Parallax]

I see the media's brainwashing program is working. I used to be the same way until I moved to Florida from Washington DC. I wasn't anti or pro gun, I just didn't know anything about them.

 

[anapex]

Except if you're in Maryland the 7 day wait does apply to handguns and "assault weapons" :banghead:

 

[Atticus]

I stopped at a small roadside flea market last year and was looking at an old man's private gun collection, when another older fella walked up and literally began screaming at the dealer that he was selling guns illegally. The dealer and I tried to explain the legality of private collection sales, but to no avail. As he waled away, his face was bright red and he was still yelling that he was going to call the cops. We were both laughing pretty hard by then.

 

[trooper]

Yeah... over here it's quite a hassle to get a firearms permit (though it is easily done - just pricey and time-consuming), and people think that it isimpossible for Joe Sixpack to buy a gun.


Trooper

 

[thorn726]

When the Brady seven day wait went into effect in 93
everyone and their dog knew about it. When Brady was nullified by NICS
NOBODY except politcally active handgunners got the news.

wow man call me an idiot, but i am really glad you posted that.

i thought the waiting period was still in effect for handguns.
further, i agree totaly with you, no one but politcally active gunners seem to know anything about the laws.
i am trying to learn.

and searching around on that topic, ARG!. ok i admit, i dont totally disagree with a cooling off deal, but really a thorough check should do it.
what is frustrating is we are in a nation of what, 250+ million, and the argument for the waiting period in addtion to the NICS check involves all of TWo cases.
talk about one apple ruining the WHOLE bunch.
stupid thing is its always some crazy nut that gets hold of a gun, and always in some dumb place where they are the only one armed

i guess really we could solve this best the old fashioned way, huh?

if everyone or even nearly everyone carried a gun, none of this would be an issue. sure seems like maniacs would get one or two, not 10 or 20 if somene in the crowd was armed.

this is probably asking for trouble, but what do you guys think about
First time gun buyers being required to wait 5 days?
i think it is incredibly stupid to place limits on people who already own a gun, but the cooling off argument isnt totally wrong.
i dont know.

 

[AZ Jeff]

The "Cooling Off Argument" has been shown to be FALSE in serious studies. See John Lott's second book "The Bias Against Guns", for an analysis of how cooling off periods have NO effect on crime rates in areas where they are present.

Cooling off periods are just a way for "social engineers" to exert a form of control over those they detest--persons who can control more of their own destiny, better known as "gun owners".

 

[RavenVT100]

Forget cooling off periods, forget waiting periods. The only thing I've ever personally observed that has had an effect on first-time buyers is a firearms safety class, in order to educate people who really have no idea what they're doing and could put themselves or others at risk. This type of thing can be dealt with in a very few short hours of safety training.

 

[45R]

In the PRK you have to wait exactly 10 days!!! To the minute!!!

 

[jsalcedo]

The only thing cooling off periods are for is to keep black eyed and bloody nosed wives and girlfriends from defending themselves against their abusers.

 

[jmilliron]

I was surprised when it only took me 15 min to buy my 1911 a few weeks ago. I thought there was going to be a 7 day wait.



Got to cut me some slack though, I just moved from the People's Republic of California.

-jason m

 

[George S.]

Having a CCW permit in WA will allow you to buy a handgun and take it home as soon as you pay and fill out the 4473 but the dealer still has to call in the NICS check. Long guns had previously been exempt from the call if you had a CCW, but now even a rifle or shotgun needs the phone call and 4473.

 

[possenti]

Some people are SHOCKED that I have a CCW permit. BTW - this is only revealed to people (co-workers mostly) that I have solidly determined "gun-friendly".

I showed and explained my CCW card to a guy that moved here from Columbus. He flipped out like I had psychic powers or something. He kept asking me to explain it over and over until it finally sunk in. Shheessh!

He's now planning on taking the CCW class in the near future.

 

[Mulliga]

When our club sets up a display table on campus, we hear some pretty disheartening things. Most often heard re: gun ownership:

"Do I need a license to own a gun?"

No, no, and no, Mr. and Ms. College Persons :banghead:

 

[jefnvk]

The "Cooling Off Argument" has been shown to be FALSE in serious studies.

Think about this for a minuet. If the person already has a gun, the cooling off period has no purpose. If they don't, and they are buying a gun to shoot someone with it, a week wait probably won't have any effect.

 

[jsalcedo]

If they don't, and they are buying a gun to shoot someone with it, a week wait probably won't have any effect.

Lets say a woman is being stalked and the police can't do anything to protect her until the stalker attacks her.

She goes to buy her first gun to keep by the bedside because she fears for her safety.

Would you make her wait 10 days and just pray the guy decides not to attack?

Store owners that were being looted burned and plundered during the LA riots in 92 couldn't buy guns to protect their property due to a waiting period.

Waiting periods help create victims.

If some evil maniac wants to use a gun he will get one off the street, steal, or rent one. Waiting periods do not deter criminals.

 

[Walter]

No NICS check in Texas...

If you have a concealed carry license.

And as of now, Texas CCL's are recognized in 21 states, either through
reciprocity, or courtesy.

Walter

 

[Partisan Ranger]

A guy I worked with told me about how his dad gave him 2 .45s. He called up the local cops after he got them and asked if he needed to register them. Good Lord. He's a pro-gun guy....I couldn't believe his ignorance and willingness to be a sheep.

 

[41mag]

Before the Mi CHL became an option I knew a few guys who weren't interested in handguns because of both the waiting period(currently +/- 8 business days but a non-issue w/the CHL) & the fact that the handgun needs to be registered w/the State.

Too much hassle.

 

[Farnham]

You gotta be kidding me...

I thought I was fairly well versed in firearms politics (even though I just left California) and just now I find out there ain't any waiting period on handguns? :banghead:

I've bought two long guns here in Texas simply because I loved the fact that I could get them without the 10 day California waiting period, but I hadn't even thought about getting another handgun, simply because I didn't want to wait, and I've got it covered already.

Ruger Single Six, Colt 1911, S&W Model 29, here I come...

Seriously though, if some of us that hang out on THR haven't found out that the Brady Bill is dead, how can we expect Joe Schmuckatelli to know? I mean, we had countdowns to the end of the AWB! I can quote chapter and verse from the GCA and AWB, but I still thought the 7 day handgun wait was in effect?!?!

Guess I've still got a lot to learn...and teach, if I get the chance...

 

[ksnecktieman]

I guess I need to keep up better. I have been wanting to get a Walther .22 pistol. I looked at one in Wichita, but did not buy it because I did not want to drive back (100 miles) to pick it up later. :banghead:

There is a gun show in Topeka this weekend,, only 60 miles away,,, maybe it is time now.