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Purchase of Firearms

Gun law in the United States is defined by a number of state and federal statutes.  In almost all the states of the US, a manufacturer, seller or purchaser of firearms is required to be licensed under the federal gun control act of 1968 to be a lawful seller.  The law relating to firearms in the United States varies from state to state and is independent of, the existing federal firearms laws.  Sometimes, the state law regulating firearms are broader and sometimes more limited in scope than the federal law.

Almost all the state constitutions recognize that, a person has the right to keep and bear arms for the defense of self, family, home, and state, and for lawful hunting and recreational use.  However, a person who intends to purchase a firearm needs to undergo an instant criminal history background check.  Apart from this, generally, firearm dealers are required to keep a record on the retail sale, rental, or exchange of firearms.  The record shall include the name of the person to whom firearm is transferred, his or her age, occupa­tion, and residence, and the make, caliber, finish and serial number of the firearm, and the date of the transfer and name of employee making the transfer.

The state laws specify that firearm license-holders are subject to the firearm laws of the state they are in, not the state in which the permit was issued.  There also exists the concept of reciprocity between states licenses, such as concealed carry permits.  These are recognized on a state-by-state basis.  For example, Arizona recognizes a Nevada permit, but Nevada does not recognize an Arizona permit.  Some states do not recognize out of state permits to carry a firearm at all.  It is therefore important to understand the laws of each state when purchasing a firearm.


Inside Purchase of Firearms