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White House Cristmas tree, blue room, 2005
Now that most Americans are deep into the post Cyber Monday milieu of trying to figure out what presents to buy for whom by Christmas day, perhaps it's time for more of us to consider the gift that keeps on giving - the gift of self-defense! A gun.
Imagine the surprise and joy when your loved one finds her new concealable handgun as a stocking stuffer. Or the wonder when a child opens up that long box containing her first rifle. That would be a Christmas that will never be forgotten.
Firearm gifts have a proud heritage in America, which, though waning in this era of political correctness, remain legal and more common that many might think. Unfortunately, the anti-gun rights lobby continues its propaganda drumbeat against the tradition of firearm gifts by trying to pound into everyone's heads that there is a "loophole" at gun shows that enables people to obtain guns without paperwork and background checks.
The fact is that there is no loophole! There is not a single state which has less restrictive gun transfer laws at gun shows than venues outside the show's premises.
In most states, the rule for gun shows is exactly the same as it is on the street, at the yard sale, on the Internet, and under the Christmas tree: Unless a federally licensed gun dealer is transferring the gun, no background check or paperwork is required for transfers between residents of the same state.
As the map below illustrates, America remains a sea of gun transfer freedom pockmarked by only a few islands of state restrictions on the right to privately transfer guns:
So consider guns this year for the folks on your Christmas list, and maybe even for that "Secret Santa" party at the office ;-)
Comments
I think all of us men should give out girlfriends and wifes a gun so she can shoot us when we mess up.
The Padrino Dot Com
If by mess up, you mean commit a heinous felony... otherwise your comment was in poor taste. Besides, I'm sure your wife already has access to a car, kitchen knives, etc. The presence of one more potentially deadly tool won't change her behavior (i.e. if she's not likely to stab you when you "mess up" she also isn't likely to shoot you).
You might want to double-check California's laws. Private transfer is NOT banned in California, it is in fact very legal! Both interfamilial and private party transfer are fine with only a few exceptions (like registered assault weapons are non-transferable under any circumstance).
Remember Padrino, there are worse things she could do if/when you mess up. Does the name Bobbit ring any bells? If the prospect of getting shot doesn't make the straight and narrow look better, consider losing the pound of flesh closest to your heart.
Magus Zeal - by private transfer, we mean without use of dealers, paperwork, or background checks - california is one of only 3 states requiring all transfers to go thru dealers. I(n the vast majority of states, you can legally stand on the street corner and occasionally sell guns from your gun collection.
A good idea if you know what your spouse really wants. An even better idea if your spouse knows. Four of my First Shots students this year had a significant other who bought, or intended to buy them a specific handgun. Four out of four picked wrong.
The last student, a woman, was scared of guns, but I’ve seen that before. She was already set against a revolver, so a couple of hours into the class she was handling my Browning Hi-power well. (5 out of 5 hits on her last target.) Her husband was hot to get her a little .380 “lady’s gun” that she could carry in her pocket, so during the lesson I let her try my Colt Mustang. After two shots she lay it down, turned to him, and said, “Do NOT buy me a .380!”
Another good Christmas option, particularly for a brand-new shooter, is a gift certificate for a basic shooting class. For kids check out the 4-H shooting program. For women, check around and find an instructor with a reputation for teaching them well.
Gave the wife an AR-15 LAST year for Christmas. Followed it up with a Baretta 92 handgun for Valentine's Day. Nothing says "loving trust" more than some cold steel! The 9 yr old will be getting a rifle for her birthday this year too.
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