I thought the same thing until recently.
I never buy from dealers because I flat-out refuse to do the background check (well, there are the rip-off prices too I guess). I mean, I'd pass for the sale no problem... but I have a serious gripe about it like most people. I thought this applied only to handguns (I'm in Indiana).
Then when my search for a small youth rifle in the used market came up empty, I went to a gun shop to get my boy a shiny new Henry Mini Bolt... guess what? I had to get FBI approval to buy a single shot .22 rifle. Man was I fuming!
And by the way, it's a fine little rifle for a beginner in case you were wondering.
“I had to get FBI approval to buy a single shot .22 rifle. Man was I fuming!”
This was an NRA compromise on the Brady law. Nobody was talking about requiring instant checks on all firearms. Originally, they were only for handguns.
Then the NRA volunteered to compromise by having the system require instant checks on *all* firearms.
It went into effect in 1998.