Register guns?

[Jeff K]

Register guns?
Someone please explain this to me.
I keep hearing "are your guns registered?"

WTH does that mean? I have never lived anywhere that required you to "register" your gun.

I've one bought a couple of new guns, I suppose the federal paperwork could be called "registering" But that was 5 moves ago.

Someone please take me through this.

[T-Bird]

It does depend on the state in which you live and own the gun. Some states require you to have it registered if you own it. Lucky I live in Tennessee and we don't have to register a gun.

[Chrisj CMA]

I recently bought my first new gun at an actual gun store.....they made me do the federal background check paperwork.  They told me that doesnt register the gun to me, it does registers the sale of the gun for them.  Yes the Feds could trace the gun back to me if they wanted to (and I hate that) but in FL you dont have to have a reciept or proof that you sold all your guns at a garage sale, which is what I did last last weekend     

Im sure they want all guns registerd and addresses up to date so they know where to come collecting them someday.......NOT ME!

[ricoman]

I recently bought my first new gun at an actual gun store.....they made me do the federal background check paperwork.  They told me that doesnt register the gun to me, it does registers the sale of the gun for them.  Yes the Feds could trace the gun back to me if they wanted to (and I hate that) but in FL you dont have to have a reciept or proof that you sold all your guns at a garage sale, which is what I did last last weekend     

Im sure they want all guns registerd and addresses up to date so they know where to come collecting them someday.......NOT ME!

What a coincidence, I had a garage sale myself last weekend.
Now, no more guns.

[Bobbo]

Some states (like Illinois) require you to get a Firearm Owner Identification card (FOID), which allows you to purchase firearms.  The state police usually maintain a record of when and what you purchased, which is a little like registration.  Chicago requires direct registration of any firearm with the CPD.

Fortunately, Missouri doesn’t have any of this nonsense!

[Brad]

Most states do not require it.  Some States only require it for "assault weapons" and 50 cal, some for hand guns only.

http://www.lcav.org/content/registration_firearms.pdf

[Jeff K]

As I thought. So why then is there always so much talk about if a persons gun was registered or not. I hear it on the news, and yet there isn't a registry even if you wanted to.

 

[RTaz]

Well here in Michigan...with shotguns and rifles we must go by Fed. standards for purchase which is done right at the place of purchase...this is if you walk into a store or dealer and purchase a shotgun or rifle...

If you are purchasing a hand gun you must apply for a permit to purchase a hand gun...this is done at the local county offices...you have 10 days after permission is granted to either purchase and return permit with hand gun or return the purchase permit....if you don't they will put out a warrant for you...when you return with the purchased hand gun the store / dealer has a copy of your paperwork a copy goes to the county clerk and a copy goes to the Michigan State police....and you have a copy your hand gun is now registered

If you have a Concealed Pistol Permit in Michigan you can purchase a hand gun at anytime you do not need a permit to purchase...but you still need to turn in the registration paper work from the dealer to your local county clerk...or the correct county controller most times its the County Sheriff Office ....

750.232 Purchasers of firearms; registration.
Sec. 232. Registration of purchasers of pistols, etc.—Any person engaged in any way or to any extent in the business of selling
at retail, guns, pistols, other fire-arms or silencers for fire-arms who shall fail or neglect to keep a register in which shall be
entered the name, age, occupation and residence (if residing in the city with the street number of such residence) of each and
every purchaser of such guns, pistols, other fire-arms or silencers for fire-arms together with the number or other mark of identification,
if any, on such gun, pistol, other fire-arms or silencer for fire-arms, which said register shall be open to the inspection of all peace officers at all times, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

[Spirited-6]

For what`s it`s worth; in 1998 I had a Yard Sale stating several guns listed in the paper. About noon I saw a car parked out front and a "suit" in the drivers seat. This man came in asked me if I was/had sold any hand guns and who bought them.  After I told him that I was selling long guns only, he thanked me and drove off. ??? What was he looking for ? I think Milltary weapons or the like. Any time you advertize guns for sale, you can bet you will have Vistors. 

[Varmintmist]

For what`s it`s worth; in 1998 I had a Yard Sale stating several guns listed in the paper. About noon I saw a car parked out front and a "suit" in the drivers seat. This man came in asked me if I was/had sold any hand guns and who bought them.  After I told him that I was selling long guns only, he thanked me and drove off. ??? What was he looking for ? I think Milltary weapons or the like. Any time you advertize guns for sale, you can bet you will have Vistors. 

Nope, handguns MUST be transfered through a FFL even if it is a private sale, unless it is spouse spouse, or father son.
You can sell a handgun to another person, however you and he must go to a gun shop with a FFL holder and have it transferred.
In most states and by fed law, long guns are not required to be transfered through a FFL unless the FFL is doing the selling.

[T-Bird]

When I got my carry permit a few years back. In the class I took the instructor wanted everyone to fill out a form. On that form was a place to put your serial number of your qualifing gun. I went and put my gun back in my pickup and went back and rented a gun in the gun store where the classes were being given. ( I too have since sold all my guns )

[Serk]

Nope, handguns MUST be transfered through a FFL even if it is a private sale, unless it is spouse spouse, or father son.
You can sell a handgun to another person, however you and he must go to a gun shop with a FFL holder and have it transferred.
In most states and by fed law, long guns are not required to be transfered through a FFL unless the FFL is doing the selling.

Actually, in most states (And under federal law) this is incorrect. Handguns CAN be legally sold from individual to individual as long as they are residents of the same state...

Federal law allows the sale of a long gun or a handgun between private parties of the same state as long as the purchaser is 18 years of age. An individual who does not possess a federal firearms license may not sell a modern firearm to a resident of another state without first transferring the firearm to a dealer in the purchaser's state.[6] Firearms received by bequest or intestate succession are exempt from those sections of the law which forbid the transfer, sale, delivery or transportation of firearms into a state other than the transferor's state of residence.[6] Likewise, antique firearms are exempt from these sections of the law in most states. (Antique firearms are defined as those manufactured pre-1899 by US federal law, or modern replicas thereof that do not use cartridges. State law definitions on antique firearms vary considerably from state to state.)

Above from Wikipedia...

And this little tidbit is directly from our friends at the ATF:

When a transaction takes place between private (unlicensed) persons who reside in the same State, the Gun Control Act (GCA) does not require any record keeping. A private person may sell a firearm to another private individual in his or her State of residence and, similarly, a private individual may buy a firearm from another private person who resides in the same State. It is not necessary under Federal law for a Federal firearms licensee (FFL) to assist in the sale or transfer when the buyer and seller are “same-State” residents. Of course, the transferor/seller may not knowingly transfer a firearm to someone who falls within any of the categories of prohibited persons contained in the GCA. See 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g) and (n). However, as stated above, there are no GCA-required records to be completed by either party to the transfer.

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/unlicensed-persons.html#private-record-keeping

[Black Pearl's Captain]

For what`s it`s worth; in 1998 I had a Yard Sale stating several guns listed in the paper. About noon I saw a car parked out front and a "suit" in the drivers seat. This man came in asked me if I was/had sold any hand guns and who bought them.  After I told him that I was selling long guns only, he thanked me and drove off. ??? What was he looking for ? I think Milltary weapons or the like. Any time you advertize guns for sale, you can bet you will have Vistors. 

Nope, handguns MUST be transfered through a FFL even if it is a private sale, unless it is spouse spouse, or father son.
You can sell a handgun to another person, however you and he must go to a gun shop with a FFL holder and have it transferred.
In most states and by fed law, long guns are not required to be transfered through a FFL unless the FFL is doing the selling.

where is this law? It may be but I think in Kansas you can still sell anyone a handgun you own. I bought my first "handgun" in 1975 at an Otasco tire store for $18.00 or so, a cheap italian made 22 revoler. But alas, I sold all my guns in a big garage sale in western Florida last weekend.

rRaymond

Raymond

[Jess from VA]

Serk has it right.  Private sales in the same State between lawful gun owners requires no government paperwork (except machine guns, silencers, short bbls, and other specially Federal/State regulated firearms).  (I'd get a bill of sale, but that is not government paperwork)

Most States do not have registration, some do  (my earliest handgun purchases in MI had to be registered).  

Federal paperwork for gun purchases (new or used) from an FFL dealer is NOT registration.... and while there is record keeping requirements for FFL holders,  a national (federal) central registry of all sales is prohibited.  

When you hear the ignorant media asking about gun registration in a particular case... 95% of the time, they don't know what they are talking about. (Imagine that).

Doing private business (and I don't mean business, but the occasional sale, trade, swap) across State lines with family and friends and trustworthy lawful owners is routine, if not in compliance with Federal law (fine and 5 years).  (But the purchaser must not end up with a firearm that must be registered in his State.)

And.... Temporary use of Another`s Firearm:  Provided that all other laws are complied with, an individual may temporarily borrow or rent a firearm for lawful sporting purposes throughout the United States.

The following classes of people are ineligible to possess, receive, ship, or transport firearms or ammunition.  You do not want to sell a firearm to any of these (like at a gun show)

    * Those convicted of crimes punishable by imprisonment for over one year, except state misdemeanors punishable by two years or less.
    * Fugitives from justice.
    * Unlawful users of certain depressant, narcotic, or stimulant drugs.
    * Those adjudicated as mental defectives or incompetents or those committed to any mental institution.
    * Illegal aliens.
    * Citizens who have renounced their citizenship.
    * Those persons dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces.
    * Persons less than 18 years of age for the purchase of a shotgun or rifle.
    * Persons less than 21 years of age for the purchase of a firearm that is other than a shotgun or rifle.
    * Persons subject to a court order that restrains such persons from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner.
    * Persons convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

Persons under indictment for a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year are ineligible to receive, transport, or ship any firearm or ammunition. Under limited conditions, relief from disability may be obtained from the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, or through a pardon, expungement, restoration of rights, or setting aside of a conviction.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Private sales of handguns or long guns are perfectly legal here in Indiana and handguns are advertised for sale in the classifieds frequently.

There is also no "gun registration" here in Indiana. However, many Hoosiers seem to mistakenly beleive there is. Such may or may not be the case in your end of the country too.

[Pete]

For what`s it`s worth; in 1998 I had a Yard Sale stating several guns listed in the paper. About noon I saw a car parked out front and a "suit" in the drivers seat. This man came in asked me if I was/had sold any hand guns and who bought them.  After I told him that I was selling long guns only, he thanked me and drove off. ??? What was he looking for ? I think Milltary weapons or the like. Any time you advertize guns for sale, you can bet you will have Vistors. 

Nope, handguns MUST be transfered through a FFL even if it is a private sale, unless it is spouse spouse, or father son.
You can sell a handgun to another person, however you and he must go to a gun shop with a FFL holder and have it transferred.
In most states and by fed law, long guns are not required to be transfered through a FFL unless the FFL is doing the selling.

There are some states that have something like you describe BUT there no federal require4mant that requires an FFL transfer for handguns , except across a state line.

[fudgie]

When I bought mine a few years ago it was a private sale. No reg. Talked to 3 FFL guys and asked them if I should reg it and they said no need to. Asked about if its stolen how do I get it. He said they will track down original owner and go from there. I'd be good if I had a reciept. I have a box and no reciept. 

[98 T]

I think I just had a garage sale and sold all my guns to a guy named... John,er... Joe...er something like that.  He had a car and/or truck and drove a way with them ALL.  Sorry I can't be of more help officer...have nice day....

[Jess Tolbirt]

when i lived in Mo. i had to register my 44 mag with the sherriffs office BEFORE it left the dealer..