Ranks of Gun-owners Explodes

 

I'm hearing stories of people rushing to their local gun stores and panic-buying guns.  News reports suggest these are "pro-gun fanatics" doing the buying in anticipation of the need for self-defense armament in the face of the current corona virus pandemic.  That seems extremely unlikely.  All the known "pro-gun fanatics" already have guns and ammunition sufficient for their self-defense without the necessity of expanding their collections or stocking up.

No, I believe these are primarily first-time gun owners who are worried that the breakdown of civil society is going to impact them and their families harshly.  If they haven't already, they're suddenly realizing that in extremis, they are their families' best or only defense and their first thought is "I had better get myself a gun".  When they get to the gun store, they get a nasty shock.  A series of nasty shocks, actually.

One, there are long lines.  There are reports of lines wending out the door and down the block of people waiting their turn to get in so they can look at the merchandise and make their selection.  The lines are long because those who are busy making their selection are taking their time about it — because they don't know anything about guns and need lots of help from the harried staff — because they're first-time buyers.  Any reputable gun store will only sell you a gun if they're confident you're competent to operate it safely, therefore they take the time to show you the features of whatever you're buying.

Two, the selection is narrow because — hey, a store can only stock a certain amount of stuff, right?  In places like California, the selection is even narrower because only certain firearms are even legal to sell in that state.  Yes, California has an official list of firearms that may be sold or possessed within that state.  A Glock 17 in standard black may be legal whereas the same gun with a powder-coated finish may not.

Two(a), in some states (NY, NJ, CA again, IL, HI, maybe others) you need a 'permit to purchase' before anyone will even let you look at or touch a firearm in their store.  To get that PtP, you will need to visit your local police department or sheriff's office who will do a pre-BGC BGC.  They're busy with other things like crimes and your petty concerns are not high on their priority list.  When they do get around to you, they can take as long as they want before issuing the PtP.  NY and NJ are notorious for taking six months or more before you can even walk into a gun store to examine your impending purchase.

'Impending purchase'?  Yes, three, throughout the United States there is a mandatory minimum waiting period during which the Famous But Incompetent FBI will complete a background check to ensure you're legally entitled to purchase a firearm.  Almost everywhere, it's three (3) days, but in some places (California, again), it's ten (10) days.  Oh, you wanted that gun right now?  Yeah, sorry, but you can come by on Tuesday and pick it up, except...

Four, FBI, which does those background checks, is having a problem with staffing because of the Moo Goo Gai Panic, and just announced that it might take as much as twenty-eight (28) days to complete yours.  Aha, but the law says any BGC not completed in three (3) days is to be treated as a 'pass'!  Gotcha!  Well... no.  These days, when the FBI can't complete the check on time, they issue a 'conditional disapproval' — and they're issuing lots of CDs these days.  Sorry.  Game over.  Thank you for playing.  What '2nd amendment'?

Five, when those panicky first-time buyers get frustrated, they flip open their laptops and hit the web because it's easier just to buy your gun over the internet.  Suddenly, they discover that you actually can't buy a gun over the internet without having it shipped to a local Federal Firearms Licensee, the same people who can't handle the flood of new customers wanting to buy their wares.  Naturally, they will take time out of their busy day to help you fill out the Form 4473 for somebody else's merchandise, but you'll still have to have a BGC which could take as long as 3 or 10 or 28 days before you actually take possession of your new hardware.  That's after it gets shipped across country.

I don't know for certain, but I would bet a lot of money that many of those first-time buyers experiencing the roadblocks outlined above were, until a few days ago, hard-line supporters of 'reasonable restrictions on who can get a gun', and they are, also for the first time, beginning to understand why all those "pro-gun fanatics" were so upset over each new reasonable restriction.  They're faced with a situation that does not treat lack of preparedness kindly and is especially cruel to those who weren't even aware that they weren't prepared.

Welcome to the party, pals.