this post was submitted on 03 Mar 2025
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I see local gun shows at my county fairgrounds every month. I've always wondered.....is it really as easy as "This gun costs $400." "Here's $400" "Here's your gun." the end
Is that actually how easy it is? I used to assume you needed permits and liscensing. And now that I'm older, I keep hearing that's not the case.
.......is that seriously not the case???
Most guns shows have FFL dealers on site. Those guys are definitely running the federally and state required background checks in a little room in the back somewhere. And if the sale happens inside the building, it's even highly likely private sales get run through also, (you will pay for it-- someone has to make money off of it). The Paperwork Gods must be appeased no matter what.
But depending on the state/county/city often you can do a private sale in the parking lot with someone that doesn't get the check. This is not universal across all 50 states. Some states, like California require all firearms transfers to go through a licensed FFL.
YMMV
Try it.
No, seriously, try it.
Go in, tell them you're a first-time gun buyer, and try to walk out without receiving basic safety training, referrals and/or invites to ranges and practical training.
It is theoretically possible to buy a gun with absolutely no experience or training. But, you would have to go in to the process with some sort of malicious intent, even if that intent is just to cast FUD on the purchasing process.
The last 2 guns I bought:
Big box store, rifle: Show my ID, walk out with my rifle. The person didn't mention any training at all though we did bullshit about guns the entire time and it's a big box store so they just didn't care.
Small local shop, handgun: Looked at the case, found the one I wanted, handle it, confirm I want to purchase it. They take my ID and run it through some sort of crime database confirming I'm not a violent felon. I walk out with my gun 30 minutes later. I truly don't remember them mentioning training or safety or even ranges.
Your first paragraph checks out, but it's absolutely possible to buy a gun with no training or experience but that may depend on your state combined with the type of firearm you are getting.
I am not sure where you are getting that "theoretical" bit. It's not theory.
It generally only gets a bit more difficult when you want a concealed carry license.
In theory, you can purchase a gun with no training whatsoever. In practice, you'll have a tough time avoiding the bare minimum safe handling instruction the seller is going to give you. Upon receiving that instruction, you can't really say you have had "no training" whatsoever.
Looking at it another way: I don't personally know anyone over the age of 6 who has never received any sort of training on safe gun handling. In Theory, such people exist and can suddenly decide to buy a gun on a whim with zero research or experience. In practice, not so much.
Some people I have worked with at big box stores don't give two shits and they could probably use a bit more training themselves.
You are correct about the people at my range though. We can spot someone easily who has no training and has never been around a firearm. (It's a private range, and all of us are basically the "range master".) We kinda go out of our way to ensure range safety and provide education regardless if we were asked for it or not.
Also yes, I have known people that have zero training or experience that have bought a firearms with no questions asked and no advice given. It's a thing, unfortunately. When stupid people do stupid things, they tend to migrate to places that are equally as stupid that will sell them a firearm regardless as long as a background check clears.
While I do have appreciation for your specific wording, I just have seen a ton of stupid shit, s'all.
It depends on the state. If they don't have a universal background check law, you can find someone willing to sell you a gun. It won't be someone at a table though. You can find someone willing to sell a "gun," I put in quotes because scammers are commonly selling guns that don't work well or fake collector items.
There is a form 4473 that has to be filled out and then you undergo a background check to verify that you are not a felon, have a restraining order, a history of domestic violence etc. If you order a gun online it doesn't get shipped to your house but it goes to an FFL (gun stores federally allowed to do said paperwork) and the same process is done there before you can pick it up, usually for a small fee to the people at the FFL.
As long as the state laws allow for it (no wait periods, addtional hoops) and you don't have a criminal history it can really be that simple. Most gun sales are done in like 30 minutes.
Technically as an individual I can sell a gun to anyone without doing a background check or paperwork but if that gun is used in a crime that is easily tracable back to me and my paper trail at the initial sale. There are new rules in place for the "private sale/gunshow loophole" to say when paperwork is mandatory but I haven't read enough to have a good grasp of it
The only thing they check for is if you have a felony or not, and that's only actual gun dealers like you'd find at a gun show. Usually takes 10-15 minutes and if you don't get an immediate "clear" in that 15 minutes they'll hold the gun for you for 2 days, and after 2 days if the govt has no further reason for the hold you can get your gun. From what I understand if they have no good reason after that 2 day timeframe they HAVE to clear the sale.
Man to man, private sale of a gun? No checks, have a good day sir, bang bang bang
This is all anecdotal to my experience buying my 2nd gun after the one given to me at birth by the state of Texas was no good /s
They check if you are on NICS, which is a list of people who can’t have guns no matter the reason: felonies, misdemeanor domestic violence, involuntary commitment, renounced citizenship, dishonorable discharge, protective orders, etc.
Damn, I was close
There is no waiting period in Texas. 15 minutes and a clear background check, and here's your gun. I was floored the first time I bought and walked out with it.
Maybe they've changed it recently, I bought mine a decade ago.
Depends on local laws. Most of the time there is a license. Waiting period on when you get it, can vary. Background checks, also vary.
As most cases, guns laws vary a lot state by state. A lot of gun owner support checks but the loud ones (people) usually have a different opinions.