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Today's Poll: Should there be tighter restrictions on online weapons sales?

By Howard B. Owens
Chris Charvella

Well, it just took me less than five minutes to buy this with a money order. No background check, no credit card, nothing. I didn't actually mean to buy it, I just clicked continue after choosing a payment option, so now I'm going to have to come up with 500 bucks. You guys want some tear gas? They have that too.

http://www.keepshooting.com/smith-wesson-m-p45.html

http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt65/ccharvella/Guns.jpg

Jul 24, 2012, 12:01pm Permalink
Jeff Waterman

No, you didn't buy it -- never even came close. It still has to be shipped via an FFL holder, and you must pass the federal Instant check. And in NYS you cannot take possession until you show proof it has been put onto your NYS permit.

Jul 24, 2012, 12:42pm Permalink
Chris Charvella

Just for clarification, I'm not a gun hater. Quite the opposite actually. This particular website just came up a few times this week in relation to the thing in Colorado so I'm taking it for a test drive to see what happens.

Jul 24, 2012, 1:58pm Permalink
Chris Charvella

There's an obvious ethical problem here if they ship the thing. I do own a rifle, but I don't have a handgun permit because I've never needed one. How long does Genesee County typically take to issue one? Of course I don't have the serial number for this thing either, so the point is moot. If they actually ship it, I suppose I'll have to refuse delivery. I didn't really need a .45 anyway...sigh.

Jul 24, 2012, 2:27pm Permalink
John Roach

Since they do not have you shipping it to a licensed agent/store, they are in violation of the law already. And you could be in trouble trying to buy one without a NYS permit.

In Genesee County, I think the average time to get the permit, after paying why too much money, is about 90 days.

Jul 24, 2012, 2:41pm Permalink
Chris Charvella

It's ten bucks, John. Also, I wasn't trying to buy one, I was trying to be told I wasn't allowed to. I'm sincerely hoping for a follow up email from these people requiring a revised shipping address.

Jul 24, 2012, 2:55pm Permalink
John Roach

Chris,
You pay for the mandatory finger printing and other fees, on top of the actual fee for the permit. And don't forget, you have to pay for and take a mandatory safety course also.

Confusing. You were not trying to buy one, but got a receipt for one?

Jul 24, 2012, 3:03pm Permalink
cj sruger

0% chance that will be shipped to a non ffl holder. It takes 3-6 months to get a pistol permit in Genesee county, when you do get it, our judge wont issue you a carry permit, just a restricted permit. I love when people want gun laws changed yet have no idea what they are. If you wantvto buy a gun online, it has to be shipped to a dealer.

Jul 24, 2012, 3:06pm Permalink
Chris Charvella

John, the exercise was to see if it could happen because the initial question was whether or not it was 'too easy. I have no intention of accepting the package. If I wanted a handgun, I'd already have one.

CJ, I'm hoping you're right on whether or not it will ship. So far, I've received no indication that it won't which bothers me a little bit. Also, Genesee County is now issuing CCP's.

Jul 24, 2012, 4:01pm Permalink
cj sruger

Chris, I was told at the clerks office last month, the judge will issue them after 5 years of the restricted permit and no objections from the sheriff, the county clerk, or the judge himself, including a form to fill out of any arrests or run ins with cops scince it was issued. There is no possible way to have a firearm purchased online delivered to your house unless you have an FFL or a curio and relic licence, then you can buy certain antique firearms and have them shipped. And to get one of those i believe you need to get approval from the sheriff.

Jul 24, 2012, 5:41pm Permalink
Chris Charvella

Ok, geniuses, I'm going to explain this one last time. I know what the rules are. I don't have any prejudices in olving the matter in question, so instead of answering a poll question with an opinion, I chose to do an experiment. We're currently in the middle of the experiment and I'll let you all know how it works out.

My hypothesis was that there are enough rules in place to prevent the illegal purchase of firearms over the Internet, but I honestly wasn't sure. I chose a handgun because it should be extremely difficult to obtain based on the rules already in place. So far, there have been absolutely zero roadblocks. We'll see what happens next.

Jul 24, 2012, 6:38pm Permalink
John Roach

Chris,
The big surprise is that they did not require confirmed payment before sending you that receipt. Not many places are going to send you anything that cost that much without payment.

Jul 24, 2012, 7:02pm Permalink
John Woodworth JR

I for one am interested in the results. I do not believe this transaction will fall through. If, somehow it does go through, I will be shocked and wonder where the loop holes are.

Jul 24, 2012, 7:38pm Permalink
Jeff Waterman

Certainly an interesting experiment, and I likewise anxiously await the outcome. I find it odd that although the website specifically notes having to ship to an FFL, it does not have blanks in their form for an FFL address, license number, etc. I would have thought that process would have been made much clearer earlier on in the process. I'm still thinking you just did not go far enough along in the form. I also find it troubling how the news media mischaracterizes "buying over the internet" which has the restrictions I mentioned, confuses "automatic vs. "semi-automatic", improperly identifies "assault weapons", and demonizes the second amendment which in itself was to be protection for their first amendment rights to do the aforementioned.

Jul 24, 2012, 8:46pm Permalink
Jeff Allen

Not for nuttin' but the receipt posted only says you purchased something from the website, it doesn't include an amount, item description, item #, sku, or anything about a firearm. Just about everything I have ever purchased online sends me receipt with all that info on it.

Jul 24, 2012, 9:00pm Permalink
John Woodworth JR

If, it falls through one would have to question the legitmacy of the web site. Is it a scam? Is it legal? etc..... BTW Chris, what make/model .45 cal did you attempt to purchase? Cannot open your link from my current computer.

Jul 24, 2012, 10:18pm Permalink
John Roach

Chris,
If you ever did buy a gun, that's a great choice. I know somebody who just bought one (from a dealer in Tonawanda) and had a chance to fire it.

Jul 25, 2012, 9:29am Permalink

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