Gun-ownership in USA?

[Nemesis77]

Please, no flames in this thread.

We all hear how americans say that they have a constitutional right to carry guns. How is the reality? Can anyone carry guns in public (I assume not)? How about concealed weapons? Do you need special permit to carry concealed weapon? Is the background of the applicant checked? Does that law change from state to state?

 

[bunker]

There is a federally mandated waiting period to buy a handgun where the FBI runs a quick background check. Not sure about rifles and shotguns.



<< Can anyone carry guns in public >>


No, a permit is required


<< How about concealed weapons? Do you need a special permit to carry concealed weapons? >>


A concealed weapons permit is required. Just because you have a permit from one state doesn't mean you're allowed to carry in another state.

I'm sure others will chime in with their info. This is just coming off the top of my head.

 

[JonnyDuke]

chime, chime

Well, actually in some states it IS legal to carry a gun open in public and I do mean a loaded gun. That doesn't mean it's prudent to do so... attract a lot of unwanted attention. Those states where they allow you to carry concealed usually require a license or permit of some type. Vermont the most notable exception, any law abiding citizen of the US who can buy a handgun can carry concealed in the state WITHOUT a permit or license of any type. They are simply following the Constitution on this... too bad we have allowed other states to violate it. Even with only one license from your home state you may be valid in many other states, depending on whether they honor non-resident permits(a lot do).

Yes, when you get a concealed carry license they perform a background check... so if you've held up any stores and got caught, no permit. The requirements to be eligible for a permit vary from state to state but generally if you are law abiding, mentally healthy, and at least 21 you qualify. Some states want you to have safety training, some want a LOT more.

If you are really curious... check out this here link

 

[Pliablemoose]

What are the laws like in Finland?

I have a CCW permit here in Texas, many specifics, but the big changes are:

1.) I can carry a concealed gun on my person, I cannot brandish it.
2.) I have to present my permit if a policeman asks for my driver's license & tell him/her if I have a weapon (their database flags me as a permit holder if they run my driver's license).
3.) I can shoot people... (in Texas, it falls under the "Well your honor, he needed to be killed." defense strategy)

 

[cipher00]

We all hear how americans say that they have a constitutional right to carry guns

Substantially correct. The courts have, over the years, interpreted this however to mean that certain restrictions are allowed. States vary in their implementation of the laws. A lot depends on the character of the state (and the characters running it! )

 

[Freejack2]

Interesting, apparently in New York State, you have to pay fees close to $100. Be fingerprinted and have your information researched by the law enforcement agencies (which takes 6 months).
You have to have a very good reason (self defense is not considered a good reason) and after all this you have to go before a judge and that judge will decide based on your character if you are going to be allowed to have a gun or not. In theory if a judge was anti-gun they could just deny every single person. I suspect if I ever wanted a gun I wouldn't be able to get one as I would have no valid reason to own one.

 

[Texmaster]

<< Please, no flames in this thread.

We all hear how americans say that they have a constitutional right to carry guns. How is the reality? Can anyone carry guns in public (I assume not)? How about concealed weapons? Do you need special permit to carry concealed weapon? Is the background of the applicant checked? Does that law change from state to state? >>



Being in Texas I think I'm qualified to answer this one

You must have a liscense to carry and it must be concealed. Most restaurants and businesses will not let you carry in their establishments so its very limiting what you can do.

I only know of 3 friends of mine who actually carrry concealed handguns. 2 are doctors and one owns a restaurant where he works late at night.

 

[MrBond]

<< There is a federally mandated waiting period to buy a handgun where the FBI runs a quick background check. Not sure about rifles and shotguns. >>

The background check is instant, there's no waiting period. My dad just bought a pistol, he ordered it from the shop, went back two days later, got the background check ran and went home with his new springfield. The same process applies for long guns (rifles and shotguns).

You must be 21 to buy pistols, 18 for long guns.

 

[bunker]

<<

<< There is a federally mandated waiting period to buy a handgun where the FBI runs a quick background check. Not sure about rifles and shotguns. >>

The background check is instant, there's no waiting period. My dad just bought a pistol, he ordered it from the shop, went back two days later, got the background check ran and went home with his new springfield. The same process applies for long guns (rifles and shotguns).

You must be 21 to buy pistols, 18 for long guns. >>


I haven't bought a gun since 1992 so excuse my ignorance in my first post. I didn't realize the 5-day waiting period was no longer in effect.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

<< I haven't bought a gun since 1992 so excuse my ignorance in my first post. I didn't realize the 5-day waiting period was no longer in effect. >>



This still varies from state to state, though, as many states have their own mandatory screening. Here in Washington the waiting period for a handgun is a whopping ten days (unless you already have a concealed pistol license, which allows you to bypass the waiting period). Supposedly this is to give the state time to investigate your background, though I am skeptical of how much investigation they actually perform.

 

[AnMig]

In Minnesota
You have to have a permit to purchase (free) in order to buy a handgun. I had to go to the Police station fill out a form and submit it. I believe they run a background check. I got a call after 7 days that my permit to purchase (sometimes called a transfer permit) was ready. This permit allows you to buy several hand guns for 1 year. I believe you have to re-apply for a permit after 1year if you want to buy another gun.

Permit to carry is another issue I believe you need to under go a safety course plus background check before you can get one of these.

These are all for handguns. I believe you can purchase rifles shotguns without any waiting period or background checks at least in MN.

You only need a permit to purchase if you are buying a handgun from a federally authorized gunstore. You dont need a permit if you are buying froma a friend or gun shows (examples)

peace my armed friend

 

[JohnnyReb]

In the Great State of Alabama anyone 18+ who has not been found guilty of a felony, or been declared insane can get a concealed carry permit from their local sheriff for $20/yr. This is good for carrying a concealed handgun on your person or in your car.

Alabama has entered into reciprical agreements with around 20 states, so that their permits are good in Alabama, and Alabama's are valid in their states. I believe this covers Virginia thru Louisiana across the South, along with some midwest and western states. I don't have the list handy.

Federal law requires you to unload the gun as you cross the imaginary line (1 inch thick) between each state.

John

 

[Nemesis77]

Thank you all for your replies .

As for Finland.... Well you can buy guns. Shotguns, hunting-rifles, pistols... But you must have a permit to acquire the gun, and after you have done so, you must show the gun to the police, who inspect it and write down it's information (both permits are obtained from the police). You must have a valid reason to buy a gun. Valid reasons inlcude hunting, hobby, collecting (only applies to historic guns or otherwise "special" guns) or if you need the gun in your job. In special cases you can also get a gun as a memento (for example from the war). Guns must be kept in secure location (either at a sturdy, locked cabinet or at the local gun-club).

EDIT: also, you can't walk around with the gun, concealed or otherwise.

 

[tcsenter]

<< Substantially correct. The courts have, over the years, interpreted this however to mean that certain restrictions are allowed. States vary in their implementation of the laws. A lot depends on the character of the state (and the characters running it >>

Its not quite that simple. There are many more federal circuit and appellate court decisions finding no private constitutional right to keep and bear arms whatsoever than the small handful which have found there is, and none of those finding a private right to keep and bear arms held that the 2nd Amendment poses any barrier to virtually any restriction short of an outright ban on all firearms. The last time the US Supreme Court heard the issue, its ruling was rather ambiguous and far from conclusive. In fact, the consensus seems to be that the Miller Court deliberately left for another day the question of whether an individual has a private right to keep and bear arms.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Here in Oregon, you can run around town with 20 desert eagles in your sweaty hands, as long as they're out in the open. If you're carrying and it's hiddne in any way at all, you need a concealed weapons permit.

nik (is getting his concealed weapons permit at the end of June)

 

[GrumpyMan]

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