Should I get a gun? Part 3: How to Purchase?

First of all: if you are a convicted felon, if you have been convicted of domestic abuse, or if you are certified mentally unstable, you cannot legally obtain a gun. At some point in your purchase process you will encounter ATF Form 4473. This is the information form that will be used to call into the FBI to do an instant background check. If you don't think you can answer the questions to obtain a gun, you might not want to try to purchase one.

This aside: how does one purchase a gun?

Local Gun Stores: These might be Gun Stores (perhaps with a resident gunsmith), Pawn Shops, or Big Box stores like Academy Sports or Dick's Sports. These locations will have what is called an FFL. A Federal Fireams License to be a gun dealer.

Internet stores: These are internet sites that sell guns, ammunition, and accessories. If you purchase a gun through one of these sites, it can only be delivered to an in-state dealer who has an FFL and is willing to do the transfer to you (typically for a fee of $25-40). Examples of sites are Bud's Gun Shop, another is J & G sale, and finally Gunbroker dot com, an auction site.

Gun Shows: These are sponsored events where buyers can see lots of sellers at one time. Contrary to popular belief they have to follow all the current FBI and BATF procedures in order to be legal.

For the first time purchaser, I suggest finding a local gun store that is dedicated to the business of firearms and tell them what what you are looking for (handgun, rifle, shotgun) and why and seek their recommendation. Hint, do not go on Saturday morning or one hour before they close. Since the election of Obama, business has boomed as many people expect gun bans to be enacteed. Try to pick a quiet time during the middle of a weekday so you and they can give proper attention to your needs.

Once you decide on a purchase, they will get your driver's license and give you a paper version of form 4473 to fill out. After you have filled it out and they have recorded the gun's info on it, they will call into the FBI's instant background check number and give them the info on the form. Within a couple of minutes, the FBI will bless your purchase, you will pay the store money, and then you will be a gun owner.