SUPPORT NATIONAL AMMO DAY !... Pass it on !!
It's not MY Ammo Day: it's YOUR Ammo Day. But if my "childish comment" evokes that childish response from you, feel free to buy a toaster instead.
We notified the NRA (didn't ask for anything from them, BTW). I would have expected that they'd at least issue a non-committal statement, or tell their members about it -- like the Australian SSOA have done -- but they said that it was "perhaps a good idea", but it was not a good idea at this time, because of the Maryland sniper business (as though the two issues were related); and they would only support a "National Gun Buy Day" or something like that.
I'm not going to try to start some anti-NRA campaign, that's not my intention at all. But I am disappointed in them. So are a bunch of other NRA members who've written to me. I haven't made a stink about it, or published it on my website, or anything. But a cursory look at the organizations who are supporting it is instructive. 15 minutes after the website appeared, NSSF called me up to ask for details so they could tell their members about Ammo Day. I was expecting something like that from the NRA. Call me naive.
ehhhYessss.... but I coulda sworn I SAID THAT ;)
"I just have never gone out and got one. Mostly because I do not want to register the thing. Anyway around that legally?"
Yes! It is perfectly LEGAL to purchase from a non-dealer in your own state with NO record keeping or government knowledge. It is nice to have a firearms-familiar friend to help you, but not necessary. Here is what I advise you do:
First, find a range near you that rents guns (I'd guess you plan to start with a pistol) and offers courses. Rent something ordinary for the course (like a Glock). You will learn enough to get comfortable with shooting, safety, etc. I'd guess that you will want an autoo-loading pistol, and not a revolver, but don't rule anything out.
Second, go to the range and practice with different guns. Rule out the ones that feel wrong in your hand, and don't be surprised if you find that you prefer ones that are different from what you imagined. Keep an open mind.
Third, buy the one you LIKE (see below for the purchasing process.) Don't get too analytical, don't be paralyzed by the differences in expert opinions. If you stay within the good brands, you can't go wrong with the one that you that you simply think is the "nicest" or "coolest." Trust your gut, and buy the one you will practice with most, and be most proud of.
Fourth, practice and take courses. You never know when THEY decide that civilians should not be allowed to receive firearms training.
Fifth, think toward buying a rifle (like a .308, such as a military style "sport-utility rifle.") Handguns are for defending your life against crooks. Rifles are for defending your liberties against tyrants. A wise man once said that a pistol is "what you use to get back to your rifle."
Now, on the purchasing procedure. There are several ways to find guns for sale in your state. The want ads in the paper are fine, but as with any sales transaction with a stranger, be security conscious, go with a friend, and meet in a safe public place. You can also post a "wanted to buy" card at your local shooting ranges, since you know exactly what you want. You might even try to find a way to post a "WTB" at the local police station, since cops sell nice duty guns quite often.
But the best selection is on the net. Here are some of the options:
1. Go to
http://www.auctionarms.com/search/search.cfm and enter your state abbreviation on keywords line.
2. Go to
http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/SearchForm.asp and select your state at lower right (you will probably want to limit the search in other ways to avoid sifting through hundreds of gun parts.
3. (My favorite) Go to
http://www.gunsamerica.com/search.cgi and search by state.
4. (Not many options, but one that deserves to catch on)
http://the56.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl
5. Visit one of the specialty-fan sites (www.hkpro.com, www.glocktalk.com, sigforum.com, etc.) and check the for sale listings (and search the past listings to see what your desired model sold for, even contacitng the past sellers to see what they were paid.) This option will not be useful to find many in-state guns for sale, but the sites are great educational tools where you can get some advice before deciding what to buy.
Basically, if you are willing to spend $400-700, you can get a great, reliable gun. These brands are so good that "lemons" are essentially unknown among the used ones. Buy with a several day return period, or meet at your range where you can test it out or have the armorer look it over. To be perfectly legal, don't buy from someone who might be from out of state (check the license plates, and the driver's license, if you have reason to doubt.) There are lots of nearly new guns out there for sale by private sellers. They're not much cheaper than brand new, but having one unknown to the gun grabbers may prove to be priceless.
To determine if you are getting a decent price, search all of gunsamerica or another site for that model (not limited by state) and you will get a rough feel for market prices. Don't worry about getting a great deal, just get a fair deal. (When you get more expertise, you may be better able to spot the great deals, but that's not what you're looking for at this stage.)
I applaud your incliniation to buy without getting on the government confiscation registry. Every time a formerly-"registered" gun is bought this way, our prospects of maintaining our liberties increases, as one fewer gun is available for ready confiscation. As long as our government faces the reality that vast numbers of firearms ("liberty's teeth") are in unknown hands, they will have some restraint, and not dare try.
If you can't find a "mentor" to help you through this process, email me, and I will help off line. We're all in this together.
I also advise you buy a great book to tell you even more about all this, from safety, to buying a rifle, to gun laws, to what you should buy before the next things are banned: Boston's Gun Bible. You can get it at Amazon, or you can benefit the author even more buy buying it publisher-direct at
http://www.javelinpress.com/ I have bought from them, mailing cash, and they came through and kept the government from profiting on their transaction! Their other books are universally good as well. The book has a good chapter on how to negotiate gun sales.
Good luck, and enjoy starting down this path!
You could always move to Arizona, or some other state where there is no registration. License is for CCW only.
I have plenty of centerfire ammo. I have never counted but I am certain it runs into the 10,000 rounds plus area, maybe even more.
The most useful round for general use and especially stocking up is the .22 rimfire. Back in the 80,s the TG&Y store in Dodge City, Kansas went out of business. I stopped in a few times but never bought anything until they got to where everything was 60% off.
Someone had brought a large quantity of Remington copper clad (you know with the green bullet) from storage. I bought $250 worth and it was something like 31,000 rounds. I also bought a fair amount of .22 mag. I have since added several thousand more rounds of .22 and it all can be stored in 2, 50 cal. ammo cans.
I have no problem with a cache, but just keep mine in the house. I figure if it ever gets to the point I can't protect the house, then all is gone anyway. In the event of economic collapse or revolution etc. that .22 ammo would be good currency.
the only foolish question is the one not asked. glad to be of help.
maybe you could just buy 100 .22LR rounds for the principle of the matter on the 19th ..
Just a suggestion.. hate for you to miss out on this one.. And get all your friends to do the same..
David
Can anyone tell me where I can order bulk ammo online. You know, the kind that goes bang and will stop someone trying to break into my house. Preferably .223 and .45. Many Thanks
EO Day !... I like that... Another good reason to buy AMMO... That will really shake up the gun-grabbers
David