Why can't I buy a gun in less than 20 days?

Gun shop | 10/8/01 | self

[freeplancer]

Living in the state of Utah, which does not have a mandatory waiting period for buying high-power rifles for big game hunting, why is my back ground check taking so long. I attempted to purchase a new deer rifle on the 21st of August and after calling the gun dealer 5 times, they still have not recieved an answer from who ever they call back ground info to (FBI? ATF?). That means it has been 20 days and counting. If any of you gun persons can give me some helpful info, I would appreciate it. Is there a law or any stipulation that the Feds have only so long to comply with a background request? Is there anything I can do? Thank goodness I have guns or my whole hunting season would have been ruined. What a frustrating situation. Thanks for your time.

[RippleFire]

Posting to the bang list

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Shop early and emulate the Boy Scouts' pledge.

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

I believe they only have 72 hrs to do the check and if in that time they don't give an answer the shop can turn over the gun.

I am not positive on that, but I am pretty sure it is correct. Now if the gun shop won't turn it over until the check is completed, then that is another story.

I would go to the shop and ask in person. They may hand it over if you are in person.

[Redbob]

Yes, the law is fairly clear: If you have not been DENIED in (I believe) 5 days, the gun shop can make the transfer.
But most gunshops are chickenstuff, and will not do so, even though the law is plainly on their side.

What I recommend is you make your purchase from a private seller - like at a gun show!
Or at the very least, find anothyer gun shop.

[MissAmericanPie]

I would keep the pressure on the gun store. A couple of years ago I was buying my husband a shotgun for his birthday, the phone rang and it was the FBI. The agent was so furious that the phone numbers had been transposed and he had ended up calling me by mistake. I calmed him down and told him it was not that major a thing, we had a nice chat.

They may be back logged, alot of people are buying guns that have never owned one before. Things can be pretty inefficent and your paper work may have fallen trough a crack.

[6ppc]

After 72 hours they have to give it to you, even if they haven't heard from NICS. Go in and tell them to give you your rifle! If they won't tell them they are violating federal law.

[Billthedrill]

Print out this thread and take it with you when you go.

And tell them I told you that you need to find a new gun shop.

[Shooter 2.5]

I have a sneaky suspicion that the problem is not the FBI. Take Big ern's advice and you may have to get your money back.

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

You bought your husband a shotgun for his birthday? Hold on a second. "Honey come take a look at this. This gal bought her husband a shotgun."

Thanks, message sent.

[pabianice]

>>I attempted to purchase a new deer rifle on the 21st of August and after calling the gun dealer 5 times, they still have not recieved an answer from who ever they call back ground info to (FBI? ATF?). That means it has been 20 days and counting.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

Here in the Peoples Republic of Massachusetts, there is a "waiting period" of 45-60 days for a first rifle and 60-180 days for a first handgun -- if you can get one at all. Your local police chief has absolute, unappealable authority to say he won't give you a license because he doesn't like gays, or Jews, or women, or (insert catagory here). And his decision cannot be appealed. Count yourself lucky.

Massachusetts. Home of the most discriminatory laws in the US.

[Brasky]

I think it might also be a backlog. After the 9/11 attacks LOTS of people went out to buy guns. A friend of mine told me a similar story about a long wait. And I'm from IL.

[a_federalist]

Really? Utah was solidly Bush why do you have such commie regulations? It's time to get an initiative going to change the rules to no waiting period.

[NC_Libertarian]

Sue the FBI or whoever is holding this up for violating your civil rights.

[RogueIsland]

A couple of years ago I was buying my husband a shotgun for his birthday

I sincerely hope HE filled out the BATF form. Can't buy 'em for someone else. Stupid law, but there ya go.

[lelio]

According to my booklet on Washington state firearm law it says:
Non-CPL holders must go through NICS and the state's five-day wait for delivery of hangun, but not long gun
Long gun purchases, unless you hold a 'NICS Exempt' CPL, are all subject to the Insta-Check
Purchases on CPLs issues after Nov 30, 1998 require a NICS check on any firearm purchase, but the five day waiting period is waived
The CPL is a Concealed Pistol License (aka CCW). Says that Insta-Check can be instant or up to 3 days.
Based on this I would get a concealed carry, might make the process smoother. But you have to give your fingerprints over to the FBI.

[DWSUWF]

"...And his decision cannot be appealed..."

But it CAN be ignored

Buy from a private seller, be discreet and to hell with their illegal, unconstitutional pseudo-laws.

[No Truce With Kings]

Move to Texas.

[wearredcaps]

You need to talk to old Teddy boy and get that Sh!* changed. Sure glad I live out here on the prairie of Kansas. Wake up America !! Join and support the NRA.