Reseach: Quick and dirty Gun question

[Liar]

If I have the proper paperwork (license, doctor's note saying I'm sane, whatever), can I walk into any gun store get a piece and ammo over the counter and walk out? How does those waiting period things work?

I have a character (hero) who have just sent a bad guy away and I want him to say something like "Now fuck off. And if I see you back here again today I will have bought a gun and will shoot you on sight."

A bit machismo, I know, but it fits the plot. If it's legally possibe to do so.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

In what part of the world is this happening?

 

[Liar]

In what part of the world is this happening?

Minnesota. My characters are still stuck @ Mall of America.

 

[Guest]

.....

 

[Liar]

Thanks Dran. I'll work my way around that then.

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

Yes, Minnisota does have a waiting period. However, you do not need a gun permit to buy or own a gun. You need a permit to carry a "Concealed weapon", ie hand gun, certain knives, etc.

There is another way of purchasing a gun. Anyone, citizen or not, can purchase a gun from a private citizen or at a "Gun Show" with no waiting period, no registration or anything else. The only restrictions in the U.S. is on fully automatic weapons for which you must have a Federal Gun Dealers License to own, purchase or sell (with many restrictions) any fully automatic weapon.

 

[chris 44]

Sorry to rake over old coals, but I can't help thinking this is the sort of question Colleen Thomas would have answered in ten seconds flat, and given you chapter and verse to boot.

 

[SeaCat]

Yes, Minnisota does have a waiting period. However, you do not need a gun permit to buy or own a gun. You need a permit to carry a "Concealed weapon", ie hand gun, certain knives, etc.

There is another way of purchasing a gun. Anyone, citizen or not, can purchase a gun from a private citizen or at a "Gun Show" with no waiting period, no registration or anything else. The only restrictions in the U.S. is on fully automatic weapons for which you must have a Federal Gun Dealers License to own, purchase or sell (with many restrictions) any fully automatic weapon.

Or the same person could go to the local neighborhood Black Market Dealer, pay their overblown price while risking getting nabbed by the Police in a Sting but walk away with a weapon within minutes. (It would take me roughly an hour to find the right person here in West Palm Beach, but I would then be able to buy damned near anything I wanted in small arms.)

Cat

 

[Wildcard Ky]

The only thing universal on buying a gun in the US is that you must clear an instant background check. (speaking in terms of legal gun purchases).

When you want to buy any gun, you fill out paperwork. The owner of the store calls in your information to a national registry of people to see if you're eligible to buy/own a gun. Results from that are given instantly over the phone. If you clear that, you're good to go.

That takes care of the Federal end of it. States and cities can enact more measures than the federal background check. I.E. the waiting period in Minnesota.

 

[Weird Harold]

Minnesota. My characters are still stuck @ Mall of America.

Since you have such a specific location, check the current list of tenants and find out if there are any guns to be purchased in the MOA.

If there are guns for sale, a concealed carry permit will by-pass the waiting period and background check -- check the Minnesota Revised Statues online to make sure that applies there; it does in most places with waiting periods because it's proof that all required checks have been previously completed.

I think a more plausible way of arming your hero is for him to take a gun from a villian -- perhaps the jerk he's threatening? That would give you the line, "If I see you again, I'll blow your head of with your own gun."

 

[Liar]

I think a more plausible way of arming your hero is for him to take a gun from a villian -- perhaps the jerk he's threatening? That would give you the line, "If I see you again, I'll blow your head of with your own gun."

Eh, that's exactly what I ended up doing.

 

[AngelofDarkLust]

Or buy it at Walmart... you can often buy hunting rifles with less waiting period... or just go across freaking state lines (not that I know anything about that )

 

[Seattle Zack]

No, buy it at a gun show, no waiting at all.

Admittedly, I had a CCW. It was a Colt .38 Super, very nice gun. Incredibly beautiful and efficient piece of machinery. The seller and I, both reasonable fellows after a little discussion, decided that this particular transaction was one that the federal government didn't need to know about.

I never filled out any paperwork. He never gave me a receipt. Twelve one-hundred dollar bills were the extent of our financial discussion. I think his name was "Eddie," although I wouldn't swear to it.

Then, come to find, handguns are useless. I 've spent about six months at the range with this thing. I can blow the shit out of a cardboard box about 20 feet away, but not much else.

So, I now have a shotgun that I keep under the bed. That noise. racking the shell into the chamber, will get anyone's attention. I luv that Colt, though.

--Zack

 

[Aurora Black]

Damn, this is educational.