[Fred Mertz]

How does one legally acquire a gun without getting recorded in some governmental database?

I think you can buy a used weapon from another individual without the paperwork shuffle. The "gun show loophole" is supposed to end this practice. See, how they call it a "gun show loophole", when they're actually trying to prevent individuals purchasing used weapons from other individuals.

I'm looking for a .12 gauge shotgun this year. Used of course.

[wardaddy]

The gunshow loophole is supposed to stop private transfers between individuals "at shows"....is that not how it is written?

I wasn't aware that it stopped private transfers away from shows.

I do realize of course that it's just one more increment. Here in TN, you can find guns for sale by individuals in Traders Post or Thrifty Nickel last I looked.

[Redbob]

"I'm looking for a .12 gauge shotgun this year. Used of course."

Minor technical nit:
There is no decimal point in a gauge designation - that shotgun would be simply "12-gauge"; that's the number of lead balls that bore diameter you'd get from a pound of lead.

Caliber designations such as .22 or .45 (two of my favorites!) use the decimal point because they represent the bore diameter in decimal inches.
Usually.