Purchasing firearms at gun show.. question.

[WitsBusa]

The last time I purchased a gun at a gun show was so long ago, I can't remember the procedure..

I have a guy I'm communicating with on another forum who tells me that at a gun show you don't need photo identification and they don't run the PICS check..

that makes absolutely no sense to me, but I figured before I tell him he's dead wrong, I'd check with the experts.

Purchasing a handgun at the show is the same as purchasing the handgun at my local shop, right?

[MT1]

Purchasing a gun at a show from a dealer is the same as purchasing at a shop.

If you buy a long gun from another show attendee there are no requirements. Buying a handgun will require a transfer where the FFL holder (transferer) will conduct a PICs check.

[donm]

If you buy a long gun from another show attendee there are no requirements.

. . . assuming that you are both Pennsylvania residents and the buyer is not "prohibited."

[MT1]

. . . assuming that you are both Pennsylvania residents and the buyer is not "prohibited."

Very true. Good point. Thanks

[BimmerJon]

Gun show loophole!!!!!!


haha: anyone that tells you that is an idiot. The only difference between buying at a "gun show" is the building you are standing in. NO LAW CHANGES

[MT1]

I think the law affecting this has been in place since 1996. It's possible the guy you are communicating with gets his information from the media. There has been plenty of media coverage of all the alledgedly unregulated gun shows that take place. Personally, I have yet to encounter a dealer at a show who isn't a stickler for following every detail of the law.

[knight0334]

Any transfer thru a dealer requires following federal and state laws regardless as whether it is at a show or his shop.

And since handgun transfers must be thru a dealer because of state laws - you will also have to follow federal and state laws.

Private transfers of long guns between two residents of PA don't require any paperwork/background check. But the seller may want to pursue that course. If the seller/buyer is from another state, it must go through a FFL.

[WitsBusa]

thanks for confirming my understanding guys.. it made absolutely no sense to me, and I could have sworn when I picked up my last handgun at a shot 8 years or so ago, that it was the same procedure and they called in the PICS.

If there were a loophole for gun shows, that would be a pretty darn interesting turnout, I'm sure.. and it wouldn't include me. ha.

[QuackXP]

In PA

Buying a hand gun from dealer requires the PICS check.
Buying a long gun from a dealer requires the PICS check.

Buying a hand gun from a private sellers requires the PICS check by a third party FFL.
Buying a long gun from a private seller requires that both seller and buyer be PA residents and the buyer is not prohibited.

The location of the transaction has no bearing on what is required.

[knight0334]

thanks for confirming my understanding guys.. it made absolutely no sense to me, and I could have sworn when I picked up my last handgun at a shot 8 years or so ago, that it was the same procedure and they called in the PICS.

If there were a loophole for gun shows, that would be a pretty darn interesting turnout, I'm sure.. and it wouldn't include me. ha.

Most other states don't require private handgun transfers to go through a FFL or other authority.

Any transfer from/thru a FFL follows the same laws that have been in place since 1968, plus the addition of a background check from the Brady Bill from the 1990's.

The only "gunshow loophole" that PA has is for long guns.