Question about purchasing my first gun...

[islander88]

Hi guys like I mentioned I am a newbie but I would like some advice on where to purchase my first gun. I live with in walking distance at local gun shops but recently I read an article by James Rawles of survivor blog where he talks about making not buying firearms w/ paper trails because it might be a way for the government to see who bought a gun and eventually confiscate the gun for no apparent reason. I do not have a criminal background and have nothing to hide for a background check but the way James Rawles is talking about the government confiscating your guns for no reason has me worried. So do you guys think it is okay to buy my first gun from a gun store? Here is the part where James Rawles talks about not buying guns from gun shops http://www.survivalblog.com/emerging_threats/

[Greg-Dawg]

Take a basic handgun class.

[cmth]

I understand what Rawles is saying about not having your name on a 4473, and I think most of us would prefer that back-door registration scheme to go away.

The state of California makes it difficult to buy guns privately without going through the official channels and having a transfer recorded. With handguns it is an impossibility to avoid it. With rifles and shotguns it becomes easier, as any curio & relic long gun more than 50 years old does not need to be transfered. They can be bought "cash & carry" from a private party, as long as one is a legal resident of California and not prohibited from owning a firearm.

Making your own firearms is a lot more difficult, and often more expensive when you figure in the cost of tools and other associated items, but it is not impossible for the determined. Plenty of people on this forum have made their own AR15-pattern lower receivers, or have built their own AK receivers and rifles.

You don't say what type of gun you are looking to get. It would be easier for us to direct you to the appropriate information if we knew what you were looking for.

[Rukus]

Gunshops really are just a government conspiracy to lure in those people interested in firearms and document their name on a list for future visits. Avoid at all costs.

[MAC USMC]

IF you are a patron of a reliable GUN SHOP you will meet some very nice, level-headed people with real expertise in firearms. DON'T let others put you on the paranoid bus - it is counter-productive. Also, the "build-your-own gun" stuff and keep it a secret is not advisable. Play by the rules - - like it or not it is the safe, sane and trouble-free route.

Join an NRA affilliated gun club, get some solid advice, some basic training and develop a good foundation for your future firearms fun.

[jazman]

If you let fears generated from some tin foil hat specialist on the internet stop you from buying a gun...you are probably making the correct decision for yourself.

[Clayface]

If you want to avoid paper trails I think a "antique" gun would be done on a cash bases. Or so I have heard. But the only legal way the government can take your guns is if someone puts a restraining order on you or have been deemed a stalker. I am sure there's other laws out there. But I doubt the government will ever have a crackdown on gun owners and try to take possession of legally purchased firearms.

[professorhard]

If ur that paranoid just cash and carry a C&R SKS

[Bill Carson]

Do it legal or do not do it at all. Have you ever shot a gun ? If not , get a buddy and go to a shooting range and try out various calibers. Please take a HSC (hand gun safety class ) before purchasing a gun and maybe a level 2 class after you purchase a gun.

[islander88]

I do plan on getting training before purchasing my first gun,by the way do you guys know of any places where can I learn basic safety and basic shooting classes in the L.A. or San Gabriel Valley area for a low price? I'm not talking about tactical training just basic safety and shooting classes for a low price? I am looking for a pump shotgun a mossberg 500 or a remington 870 for home defense and eventually either an sks or an m1a socom for emergencies or a WTSHTF type scenario. Can those be bought "cash and carry" from a private party?

[Lone_Gunman]

Gotta tell you... in a true SHTF situation the gubment is going to have a lot more important things to do than gun grabbing. Now if you are talking about a localized situation like Katrina it is possible. Know that long guns are not registered in CA and the specific type and serial no. are not reported on the DROS as far as I know. Buy yourself the cheapest beat up, shot out but still functional Moisen (cash and carry legal cause it's old) you can find and 50 rounds of ammo then buy yourself the M1A or AR or whatever and plenty of ammo. If, God forbid, they ever come to your door give em the Moisen and the ammo and tell em it's the only rifle you have.

ETA: For Gods sake buy everything legally. DO NOT try to buy modern non C&R guns cash and carry. You will end up in jail or prohibited from owning firearms for a VERY long time. Neither of which would be good if TSHTF.

[professorhard]

I do plan on getting training before purchasing my first gun,by the way do you guys know of any places where can I learn basic safety and basic shooting classes in the L.A. or San Gabriel Valley area for a low price? I'm not talking about tactical training just basic safety and shooting classes for a low price? I am looking for a pump shotgun a mossberg 500 or a remington 870 for home defense and eventually either an sks or an m1a socom for emergencies or a WTSHTF type scenario. Can those be bought "cash and carry" from a private party?

You can get an SKS cash and carry if it is a C&R (over 50 years old). You will not be able to legally buy an M1A SOCOM cash and carry in CA because they are not over 50 years old.

[islander88]

Yea that whole Hurricane Katrina situation is why I am concerned. How about remington 870 or mossberg 500/590 shotguns can those be purchased legally thru cash and carry? And has anyone here ever bought guns from gun shows? Can you legally cash and carry an M1A Socom at a gun show?

[professorhard]

You can get an SKS cash and carry if it is a C&R (over 50 years old). You will not be able to legally buy an M1A SOCOM cash and carry in CA because they are not over 50 years old.

Islander read my post.

The only guns that you can cash and carry in CA are C&R long guns over 50 years old.

[Joe]

Yea that whole Hurricane Katrina situation is why I am concerned. How about remington 870 or mossberg 500/590 shotguns can those be purchased legally thru cash and carry? And has anyone here ever bought guns from gun shows? Can you legally cash and carry an M1A Socom at a gun show?

You cannot cash and carry any guns unless they are C&R. This means you cannot buy any modern firearms unless you do the paperwork and transfer legally through an FFL. Do not worry about the "paper trail."

Always conduct your firearm purchases within the letter of the law.