QUESTION: Do you need a gun license to own a gun in the US?

No...can buy from private party and don;t need to register it.

Most small arms semi auto - NO.
Large arms and/or full auto - YES.

In my state you can lawfully meet in a parking lot and sale from one private party to another without any paperwork if both parties agree.

Although i usually only deal with other conceal carry permit holders to be safe. And i always bring my phone to run the serial through my state stolen firearm database as an extra measure of security.

An American citizen who has no felony convictions and no domestic violence convictions can purchase a firearm that is legal. For long guns (shotguns and rifles) you can take it home the same day (most states). For hand guns, there is a waiting period that varies per state --> [link to smartgunlaws.org]

Gun laws vary by state. Usually a permit is required for concealed carry. A license usually is for a dealer who routinely buys and sells.

Fully autos are illegal but semiautos are legal
Ike Glocks, non revolver types.

Most long guns don't require a permit, the kind of guns for hunting, at least not in my state. Don't know much about other states.

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5 star post

Second question:

Do you think if everybody had to have a gun license this would make a difference?

This would mean the police could remove guns from unsuitable people.

Or they could never get a gun license in the first place.

I realize criminals always find a way to get guns. Even here they get guns they are not legally allowed. Ones that are not even allowed in the country but somehow end up here.

The police raid these types of people's premises and they confiscate their guns and put them up on firearms charges just for possessing them.

You might think this wouldn't work but in general gun crime here is pretty low.

Last Edited by Lamplite on 11/26/2014 10:02 PM

In high crime cities they have very strict firearms ownership requirements if they are allowed at all. In low crime rural areas and cities its almost always no. The high crime areas blame their crime problems on the ease with which firearms are acquired in the low crime areas. Go figure.

Obviously the policy needs to be universal. Hardly any point if you can just drive a wee distance and get guns.
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To better understand the second amendment, you must hear the words and therefore the meaning behind them. Keep in mind what our newly born nation just went through and also keep in mind how well educated these men were and how in depth their knowledge was of man, past societies, and past forms of failed government.

--> [link to cap-n-ball.com]

There are background checks done for all handguns already. That's what the 10 day waiting period is partly for.

But there is no known way of predicting what a person will do in the future.


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Sometimes I drive a distance then I WEE. (just sayin)

Define "license"?

Most places, if you have a clean background (no felony crimes, domestic violence or mental illness hospitalization) you can walk into a licensed seller, fill out a form, wait on a 5-10 minute electronic background check and be on your way with your new gun.

Some areas have more restrictive laws at the state or municipal level. Some areas permit direct sale of privately owned firearms between individuals. This is generally limited to a handful of guns per year without a dealer's license. It is a serious crime to deal in firearms for commercial sale without a federal firearms license.

Yeah, lower crime rates by having easy access to firearms.

Don't be stupid, if ease of access causes crime why is the crime in the restrictive areas?

True enough. But gun licenses can be revoked at any time. Well, they can here anyway.

I have been into a gun shop here, it blew my mind. Guns are not something you really think about here because you don't need them and most never bother to buy one. But out of curiosity one day I went in and said I wanted a pig gun. The guy put all sorts of mean looking guns and in hands and freaked me right out.

I left and never went back. lol.
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Absolutely. An armed society is a polite society.

You won't hear it on the media, but the FBI crime statistics show private citizen gun-ownership (and personal carry license holders) up - way up, while violent crime in the US is dropping like a rock.

Serious crime is very very low in rural areas (such as where I live). You'd have to be fucking CRAZY to break in on someone out here. I'm in a "red" State, to boot. It's "NRA Country."

Over 16 years I've been here, the police have come by twice (to get our input on a rowdy neighbor couple who lived somewhat close by). On both occasions they called and when I opened the door they were waving their flashlights and saying "Sheriff's Department!" Luckily, the cops in my county are very professional. It's not uncommon to run across them in camo in their off time during hunting season. All-in-all, we've got some good police here. We're lucky in that regard...

But I digress. Yes - more firearms in the hands of citizens equals lower crime.

That's who owns most of the guns in our country, farmers.

You could pretty much bet a farm house has a rifle or several.

I wouldn't attempt a break in. Not that I would anyway.
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Strange.. a Kel-Tec is LEGAL in Canada and a restricted weapon in the US
[link to www.keltecweapons.com]

Full auto is legal

The restriction of fully automatic firearms is regulated by the Firearm Owners Protection Act of 1986. With the passage of FOPA, the United States Federal Government declared it illegal to make a new fully automatic firearm, convert a semi automatic firearm to fire in full auto, or to import a fully automatic firearm unless “transferred to the U.S. Government (USG) or a law enforcement agency, or to a Federal firearms licensee for use as a USG or law enforcement sales sample.” (27 CFR 479.105(d)). This means that any full auto firearm manufactured in the US or imported to the US before May 19, 1986 is legal for anyone who is willing to pay a one time $200 tax stamp (per firearm) to own a full auto or burst fire gun

[link to thearmsguide.com]

Stupid, should just be illegal, full stop.

Why would you want one or need one?

It's not like you're about to go to war is it?
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Just the opposite. The 2nd Amendment needs to be enforced again and all these unconstitutional laws need to be revoked.

If you hate freedom, you can get your pathetic little pansy behind to some communist country where they control every aspect of their citizens lives.

This is America, either learn to love freedom or get the HELL out!

OP, gotta look at guns as a tool that stays near you on a night stand. You can't let the ownership of a fire arm lead you down a path of offensive posturing.See the thing as a defense tool and the mystic wears off.

No.

Though laws vary dramatically from state to state, felons, the mentally ill etc are prohibited from acquiring firearms throughout the country.

And, a previous poster stated that "autos" or whatever are illegal. This is incorrect.

As I've stated in other posts, I believe that if you think firearms/weapons should be illegal, then I agree, firearms/weapons should be illegal for you, and if you're ever caught handling them you should immediately be charged with a serious crime.

If, on the other hand, you do not believe that such things should be illegal for you, then they should not.

Does that make sense?

Nope. I got my 12 gauge and .22 from my dad. No papers, no licenses.

we all have a gun license, its called the 2nd amendment. now go back to your hobit hole frodo

You need to remember that the 2nd amendment to the United States constitution was written not for deer hunters but to make every citizen willing to keep and bear arms a soldier, prepared to go into battle against regular military forces of any army with full parity of capabilities. Unless and until such time as the Second is lawfully struck from from the Constitution that remains true. That is our right as Americans.

why would you want or need a vehicle that travels over 50 miles an hour?

I got them because it is my right to own and operate, and I wanted them....that is full stop

what do you know about war?

In Illinois you need a firearm owners ID (FOID) card to purchase a firearm or ammunition. It is basically s very thorough background check. We have a 24 and 72 hour waiting period for long guns and hand guns (respectively).

Chicago has one of the highest crime rates in the country despite having a low access to legal means of purchasing firearms. Like most major metros, once you remove gang violence it's actually fairly low. I live in a rural outlying suburb and we have a very low crime rate, and violent crime in nearly non-existant, yet a high rate of firearm ownership.

Most fully automatic weapons are illegal unless you have certain Federal licenses.