Table of Contents
Being a gun owner is an exciting milestone in one’s life, regardless of whether you have spent your entire life in the company of firearms or have never handled a gun in the past.
However, as a gun owner, there are many things you need to understand.
It will make the most out of this exciting moment and continue to enjoy the benefits of being a gun owner for many years to come.
Also, you need to understand that you don’t just go to a shop and get a gun.
Causes Of Delay When Buying A Gun
There are some essential procedures to follow when getting a gun, and sometimes, they cause delays. In this article, we will be going through some of them.
Laws Guiding The Use Of Gun In Your Location
You need to study gun laws in operation in your state and your town. It takes time and might cause a delay, especially if you are ignorant.
The regulations that apply to your town may differ from those that apply to your state. It is possible for something to be legal in one state but illegal in another.
You do not want to run the risk of breaking any gun regulations that could prevent you from buying your gun now or perhaps owning a gun in the future.
Even if the sole reason you are purchasing a firearm is to defend your house and loved ones, this statement is still accurate.
Within the boundaries of the United States of America, the decision of whether or not to issue carry permits is left up to the sole authority of each state.
There are two ways to transfer firearms: open carry and concealed carry. Open carry is the typical technique.
In some states, it is possible to carry a concealed weapon openly if you have the appropriate permit, whereas, in others, it is not permitted.
The laws that govern carrying a concealed weapon in public can be broken down into one of these three categories, depending on the state in which you live:
- Unrestricted carry is a type of concealed carry in which a permit is unnecessary. This type of carrying is also commonly referred to as constitutional carry. There is no requirement for a permit to carry a loaded hidden firearm in the United States for any eligible individual.
- Shall be granted in circumstances where you must first demonstrate that you have complied with your state’s legal requirements.
- In regions where a permit is required, it is possible to obtain one even though it is complicated to meet the requirements for the permit.
There are various options accessible to you if you want to learn more about the gun rules enforced in your country, state, or city.
You could research the weapons regulations relevant to both the state you live in and the town in which you live using the internet.
A knowledgeable gun dealer will also be able to inform you of the steps you need to take.
This information will assist you in making an informed decision when purchasing a firearm.
Background Check
The ATF Form 4473 Firearms Transaction Form must be completed and signed.
To demonstrate your legal eligibility to acquire a firearm, you must fill out this form truthfully. It is an essential procedure, and it, most of the time, causes delay.
Why? The FBI uses three databases to conduct background checks.
Additionally, gun dealers must provide the FBI with their information to be run through all three.
Some dealers will conduct a background check on you immediately, and you will be informed of the results immediately.
However, the FBI has the authority to authorize or refuse a gun purchase.
The FBI may delay a yes-or-no determination if additional information is requested before concluding.
If the FBI does not decide within three days, the licensed dealer may sell the firearm to the applicant.
To collect this additional information, the FBI employs the services of its Criminal Justice Information Services Division.
This division deploys an examiner to contact local law enforcement and other agencies.
After the ATF 4473 form is accepted, you have 30 days to purchase and ship your handgun.
If you do not finalize your transaction within the allotted time, you must provide additional documentation.
Even if you acquire a second firearm within 30 days of your first purchase, you must submit a new application.
Only one transaction at a time may use an authorized form, which you may only use once.
Waiting Period
How long does it take to purchase a firearm in every state? How long it takes to purchase a firearm depends on two distinct factors.
Some of these factors include the type of firearm and the state where it is purchased.
Before transferring ownership of an object, state law may impose specific requirements on the seller and buyer.
By enforcing stronger waiting period regulations, law enforcement has more time to conduct a comprehensive background check and establish a “cooling off” period to prevent violent acts or suicide attempts.
Here is how long you must wait before purchasing a firearm in the state:
Some states, including Rhode Island, the District of Columbia, and California, require a waiting period before purchasing a firearm.
People in California and the District of Columbia must wait ten days before purchasing a gun.
You must wait seven days before purchasing a gun in Rhode Island unless you are a Rhode Island State Police officer.
Even if the buyer’s background check reveals nothing that would prevent the sale, the seller may have good reason to violate this rule.
Residents of Hawaii must wait 14 days after filing for a firearms permit before purchasing a firearm. There are, however, a few prominent exceptions.
Permit holders, dealers with state or national licenses, police officers, and those who imported a firearm into the state and registered it are all included in this category.
In Illinois, the waiting period for purchasing a pistol or long gun is 76 hours.
A licensed dealer in Florida is prohibited from delivering a firearm to a buyer until a particular period has passed.
In this time frame, there are three days, the amount of time required to do a background check. Some individuals do not have to wait to obtain a firearm.
Those who work in law enforcement are an excellent example of this.
Therefore, except you are a law enforcement worker, you will go through delays during this period.
Gun Training
A survey done in 2015 found that about 61% of Americans who own guns have had formal training on how to use them safely and effectively.
There are no federal laws that require citizens to get training on how to store, use, and maintain firearms safely.
However, states often require people who want to buy firearms or get permits to carry concealed weapons.
Thus, training shows that they have had formal training on how to store, use, and maintain firearms safely.
If you have not gone through any training before, you have to before getting your gun in the same way that a driver’s license test is used to see if a person is safe enough to drive a car.
This training, without a doubt, will cause delay when you want to get your gun.
What Can Cause Delay When Buying A Gun? – Conclusion
Buying a gun takes time, and we have discussed the causes of the delay and how to go about them.
Therefore, whenever you want to buy a gun, ensure enough time to follow the above procedures.
Get the correct information on gun usage in your state and follow it strictly. Finally, the delay you will go through depends on your gun’s purchase situation.
However, be calm and take your time. You don’t want to get into trouble because you are a gun owner.