Handgun purchase question

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raisitup

New member
Another thread brought me to ask this question.......

What would you do to rectify a situation where you unknowingly illegally purchased a handgun? Hypothetically speaking, say an acquaintance traveled to your state with the handgun and you paid for it and took possession at that time. In this hypothetical situation this would have occurred say six years ago, and as stated you did not know the purchase wasn't lawful (which may get thrown into the "ignorance isn't an excuse" category). What, if anything, would you do to fix it? Is there a statute of limitations that this purchase would be subject to?

Thanks!
Ryan
 
M

MLeake

New member
Theoretically, have the acquaintance visit again, and go with him to a local FFL who will accept a private transfer from the previous owner. Theoretically, treat the purchase as current, and get the 4473 on file.

As noted in the thread I think you are referencing, GunBroker.com has a search function for FFLs by zip code. It lists fees, addresses, and phone numbers. I'd call and find an FFL who will accept a private transaction; some insist that out-of-state guns come from an FFL from the originating state.

If you can't find an FFL who will do that, then theoretically I'd take the gun to the acquaintance, and have him ship from his local FFL to your local FFL.
 
D

Don P

New member
Was the gun stolen at the time of purchase?? Is there a bill of sale for the transaction?? Why wait 6 years to rectify?? Finally who other than you and the seller know of the deal besides all the forum members and the staff???
 
R

raisitup

New member
More information for this exercise......both are law abiding citizens (or maybe that should be prefaced with "otherwise"). At least one, the purchaser, was ignorant of the law. The seller can no longer be located. Nobody but our two heros knew of the sale.

Thanks!
Ryan
 
M

MLeake

New member
Don P, re-read the OP. Theoretically, both purchaser and seller were unaware of the Federal code regarding this sale at the time. Hence, the 6 year delay. Theoretically, the purchaser just learned of the requirement yesterday.

We had a thread about interstate transfers yesterday. You might be surprised how many people were unaware of the Federal requirement for recipient state FFL transfer for handguns; I wasn't surprised, as I had not been aware of it until two years ago.
 
V

vranasaurus

New member
Under federal law the statute of limitations is 5 years. If it has been 6 years since the "crime" occured you can no longer be prosecuted.

I would do nothing and just make sure that you conduct future transfers in the appropriate manner.
 
M

Mr. James

New member
I agree with vranasaurus.

At this point, it's a non-issue. Go forth and tell your hypothetical friend to sin no more.
 
M

MLeake

New member
vranasaurus, while I don't doubt you, personally, could you provide a link or US code number for the five year statute of limitations, so the rest of us could educate ourselves?
 
B

bullethole1

Moderator
If you can buy a firearm from an FFL(Most gun shops) then your good to go,now in your case or whoevers case this might be then doing what you said is like being under a dark cloud not know when thunder is going to rumble because when buying any type of firearm like this I will consider it "buying off the street"! A Gun Shop will have you fill out a form either computer or written which is a 4473 form and if you lie on it,the FBI will still tell the Gun Dealer that you are not eligible to buy the gun so it is useless to even attempt to lie on a Firearm form. That also makes me wonder why the Dealer has you fill out a form asking these questions when the FBI will let them know over the phone such as any lies that you may have stated concerning Mental Health Facility Stays that were court ordered or of course Felonies.
 
A

Aguila Blanca

Staff
bullethole1 said:
If you can buy a firearm from an FFL(Most gun shops) then your good to go, ...
Click to expand...
How do you conclude that he's "good to go" if he can buy a gun from an FFL? Did you miss the part that the acquaintance brought the handgun from another state? Federal law says that ALL interstate handgun transfers MUST go through an FFL in the buyer's state of residence. This was an interstate transfer of a handgun and it did NOT go through an FFL.

How is that okay?
 
V

vranasaurus

New member
Bullethole,

The reason they make you fill out the form is because the federal government could then charge you with making false statements.

Also some people might not know the law, answer the question honestly, and then the dealer can inform them that they can't sell them the gun without a need to call the NICS.
 
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