Pasadena, Texas: Sitting in a far corner of a large room, a grey haired man shifts in his chair till he finds the right position. He then starts fiddling with his spectacles. Once they are comfortably perched on his nose, he marvels at the object in his hand, stroking it as though it were a lover. One masterly stroke later, he cranks it open. Through a magnifying glass, aided by a torch light, he peers into the interiors of the antique handgun he has been caressing.
A small table separates him from his interlocutor: a tall man wearing a cowboy hat, ill-fitting jeans and t-shirt, with a distinctive leather suitcase. With one hand, he pulls up his pants; with another, he holds a piece of paper and reads aloud a diary entry from 1944. At the end of his discourse, he looks at the man still handling the precious pistol, a Luger P08 Parabellum and says, “You see, it really did belong to an army general from the Schutzstaffel (SS).” SS was a major paramilitary organisation under Adolf Hitler in Nazi Germany.
The seated man looks away from his object of affection, shifting his focus to the pages of a tome called The Blue Book of Gun Values – Accurate Firearms Values Since 1981.
If the deal was struck between the seller and the potential buyer, I wouldn’t know because I got distracted by two boys, no more than 11 years old,running excitedly towards a man resting a rifle against his shoulder, pointing it to the ground. “Papa, you won’t believe what we just saw. Two single barrel guns just merged into a double barrel gun. It’s huge and so cool,” one of them said. The man, without looking up from the hole through which he was peering at a made-up target, called on proudly to his children: “Good going, kids. Enjoy yourselves.”
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Since moving to Texas more than two years ago, my husband and I have been introduced to the mysterious world of guns. Almost every day, on the news, we’d hear or see discussions on the need for greater gun control. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 30,000 gun-related deaths and 80,000 non-fatal injuries occur annually in the US. A study published in the American Journal of Medicine last year showed that Americans were ten times more likely to die as a result of a firearm compared with residents of 22 other high-income countries. More than 80% of firearm deaths in all these countries occur in the US.
Gun ownership in the country is as casual as owning any other material object. Harvard and Northeastern universities carried out a comprehensive study in 2015 and found that the total number of guns owned in the US had increased by about 73 million between 1994 and 2015. There were an estimated 265 million guns being owned by people across the country.
In Texas especially, gun control laws are among the least restrictive. Here, there is no legal requirement for gun registration, or need for a permit to buy and own firearms including rifles, shotguns and handguns. Recently, a new law allowed students to carry concealed weapons on college campuses. With firearms as symbols of freedom and liberty in the US, the gun industry is a multibillion dollar one. To best understand how this gun culture plays out, we decided to visit a gun show- an event where promoters rent large venues to display and sell firearms and related paraphernalia. Approximately, 5,000 gun shows take place in the US annually.
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On a recent hot Sunday morning, we made our way to Pasadena, a small city in Texas, about 30 miles from where we live in Houston. We knew we were close when all the signboards began to lead to the Pasadena Convention Centre.
At the entrance, a National Rifles Association booth greeted us with an offer: if we took their annual membership, we’d get free entry. We paid $9 each instead, and entered.
Setting foot inside, I was reminded of large exhibition venues in India, given the sheer size and crowds of people. Walking down the aisles at the 40,000 square feet venue, flanked by armaments, was like being in an Ionesco play: this extraordinary situation was rendered banal, highlighting the insignificance of the human existence.
More than 50 large tables flaunted the choicest of firearms: assault rifles, hunting rifles, revolvers, Second World Warrifles with bayonets, high calibre sniper rifles. Also on display were Confederate flags waiting to be sold, as well as badges with the famous ‘blood drop cross’, a symbol of the Ku Klux Klan. No gun show is complete, I learnt, without gun cleaning supplies, stocked bags of ammunition, bullet jewellery, gun bags and war games for kids.
A Polish AK47 then caught my eye; it was for $600 but I would get a discount if I paid in cash, I was told.
At another booth, a dealer held a large black gun. “Try it.” he said. “It’s a high standard 10 police gun.” Why is it sold to civilians? “People like this stuff,” he said. It was for $1,500, but the man was ready to sell it to us for $1,200.
Halfway through my journey into the rabbit hole, I let my eyes wander to a table of antique firearms. These weapons – handguns with mother-of-pearl and ivory handles — could easily replace decorative artefacts in a fancy living room. At this table, there were also black foldable, seemingly innocuous knives. “Only $5,” said the seller. “If for some reason you don’t have your weapon on you, this can be used in case of an emergency. It fits in your wallet.”
What kind of emergency calls for carrying a weapon at all times? Without asking him, we moved along towards an old couple selling a panoply of colourful knives, swords, bayonets and daggers. They specialised in making customised products and vouched one wouldn’t find two of the same kind. Pointing at a fine-looking handgun whose grip was made of mother-of-pearl, engraved in small motifs and patterns, the woman said: “We are knives specialists but we have this one-of-a-kind gun for $5,000.” Would we need any paperwork for a background check? “None at all. Give us the money, leave with the gun,” said the man.
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That’s where the private sale or gun show “loophole” kicks in, a term used to describe the absence of background checks in the gun business universe. Federally licensed dealers at gun shows or stores are proscribed from selling arms without running a background check through the federal National Instant Criminal Background Check System, after the potential buyer has filled a form. It might sound like a complicated and long-drawn process, but if you are not a drug addict or convicted for felony, you can walk out with your weapon in less than ten minutes.
Unlicensed dealers are not governed by this rule: they can rent a table and make private dealings where weapons are freely bartered for money. Gun control lobbyists have been fighting tooth-and-nail to for the evisceration of this loophole, but the fight hasn’t yet yielded fruit. A Democrat recently reintroduced the Gun Show Loophole Closing Act in the US House of Representatives.
Proponents of the Second Amendment of the US constitution which gives citizens the right to bear arms, view the loophole as nothing more than a political hot potato. “So many shootings take place where the killers buy guns legally, from licensed dealers. Weapons don’t take lives, people do,” the knives seller said.
Sukhada Tatke is a freelance journalist based in Houston, Texas.
FAQs
What is needed to buy a gun at a gun show in Arizona? ›
Buyers purchasing a gun from a licensed gun dealer first need to present a government-issued ID. This must show the buyer's name, address, date of birth, and signature. State law then requires the buyer to complete and sign the ATF Form 4473.
Can you buy guns at a gun show Arizona? ›Arizona is one of 33 states that do not require background checks for firearm sales at gun shows, according to the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence.
What goes in a gun? ›The more common parts include the barrel, magazine, hand guard, pistol grip, trigger and the trigger guard. All firearms have a receiver, which is comprised of springs, levers and pistons.
Is it important to know how do you use a gun? ›A gun is only as dangerous as the person using it, which is why it's so important that people learn how to handle them. Learning how to properly use a gun is very rewarding and with the right amount of discipline, just about anyone can learn how to shoot one accurately and safely.
Can you carry a loaded gun in your car in Arizona? ›For example, Arizona's “Constitutional Carry” law (est. July 29, 2010) allows any citizen who can legally own/purchase a firearm and is 21 years or older to carry it loaded and concealed on their person without any type of permit or license anywhere inside the vehicle.
What does straw purchase stand for? ›A straw purchase or nominee purchase is any purchase wherein an agent agrees to acquire a good or service for someone who is often unable or unwilling to purchase the good or service themselves, and the agent transfers the goods or services to that person after purchasing them.
Do all 50 states have background checks for guns? ›Federal law, which applies in all states, requires criminal background checks for all firearm sales and transfers by licensed dealers, but does not require background checks or any process for sales or transfers by unlicensed sellers.
What disqualifies you from owning a gun in Arizona? ›Under federal law, people are generally prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms if they have been convicted of a felony or some domestic violence misdemeanors, or if they are subject to certain court orders related to domestic violence or a serious mental condition.
Is a convicted felon allowed to carry a firearm in Arizona? ›In Arizona, you are prohibited from knowingly possessing a firearm where you've been convicted of a felony or adjudicated delinquent for a felony and your civil right to possess or carry a firearm hasn't been restored.
How far can you shoot a pistol from your body? ›Be sure to keep your fingers away from the front of the trigger area. The slide and hammer of a semi-automatic gun can deliver a bruising blow when held too close to the body. All handguns should be fired at arm's length.
Can a gun shoot without pulling the trigger? ›
It is important to realize that just because a firearm goes off, doesn't always mean someone pulled the trigger. Poorly designed rifles, shotguns, and handguns can fire a round even when the trigger has not been pulled. The most common unintended discharges occur when the firearm is bumped or the safety is moved.
Can a bullet go off if dropped? ›A bullet isn't likely to go off when you drop the cartridge for various reasons, including how it lands. Most dropped bullets land tip first on a floor or the ground. When this happens, the bullet will land in a way that prevents the impact from being sufficiently forceful to cause the bullet to fire.
How many bullets are in a gun? ›An automatic handgun can hold anywhere from 2 rounds to 100 hundred rounds, depending on the magazine. However, many automatic pistols come from the factory with magazines that hold between 6 and 18 rounds. Traditional revolvers can hold between 5 and 6 bullets.
What's the tip of a gun called? ›Muzzle: The end of the barrel out of which the bullet comes. Pellet: The small spherical projectiles loaded in shotshells. Also known as “shot”.
What are the 3 main parts of a gun? ›The three basic parts of a modern firearm are: action, which loads, fires and ejects ammunition. barrel, a metal tube that the projectile passes through. stock, that supports the action and in many cases, the barrel.
How many guns can you own in the US? ›Federal law does not limit the number of guns a person may buy in any given time period. However, federal law does require federal firearm licensees (“FFLs”) to report multiple sales of handguns to ATF and other specified law enforcement agencies.
What states can you carry a gun without a permit 2022? ›Constitutional Carry States
This means that anyone that can legally carry a weapon may do so without a permit. The Constitutional Carry states are: Alaska (residents only), Arizona, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, Vermont (does not issue permits), West Virginia (residents only), and Wyoming.
Can You Carry a Gun into a Bank in Arizona? There are no federal or state laws prohibiting carry in banks in Arizona. As private property, carry is allowed unless a sign is posted prohibiting firearms.
Why is straw buying illegal? ›A straw buyer is used when the real buyer cannot complete the transaction for some reason. However, the act of using a straw purchaser is considered illegal where the transaction involves fraud or purchasing goods for someone who is legally barred from making the purchase themselves.
Are ghost guns? ›Ghost guns are unregulated firearms that anyone — including minors and prohibited purchasers — can buy and build without a background check. Ghost guns are unserialized and untraceable firearms that can be bought online and assembled at home.
What is the difference between a straw purchase and gift? ›
A straw purchase is any purchase in which a second person agrees to acquire a firearm for someone else. This is not the same thing as purchasing a firearm as a genuine, bonafide gift. It is legal to purchase a firearm as a gift for another, since you are actually buying the firearm for yourself to gift to another.
What state has the most relaxed gun laws? ›States with the Least Strict Gun Laws
The states with the most lenient gun laws are New Hampshire, South Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Texas, Montana, West Virginia, Alabama, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Alaska, Kansas, South Dakota, Arizona, Kentucky, Missouri, Idaho, Wyoming, and Mississippi.
Generally, a background check might wrap up within two to three days. However, the duration mostly varies from candidate to candidate, which is why giving out an accurate time frame would not be so feasible. First, a different type of resume or curriculum vitae (CV) leads to uneven background verification time.
Why are people against background checks for guns? ›NRA opposes expanding firearm background check systems, because background checks don't stop criminals from getting firearms, because some proposals to do so would deprive individuals of due process of law, and because NRA opposes firearm registration.
Can a spouse of a felon own a gun in Arizona? ›Just because you have a felony record does not preclude your wife from owning a firearm. However, she must not allow you access to the weapon. As a felon, you could not own or possess such a weapon.
What state has the least gun laws? ›The most gun friendly state in the United States is Arizona. The least gun friendly state in the United States is Delaware.
Can you carry a gun in a bar in Arizona? ›Last updated September 15, 2021 . In 2009, Arizona enacted a law allowing concealed weapons permit holders to carry handguns into the premises of a licensed bar or restaurant that serves alcohol unless the alcohol licensee has posted a sign that clearly prohibits the possession of weapons on the licensed premises.
How long before a convicted felon can own a gun in Arizona? ›The good news is that there are ways to restore your gun rights as a felon in the state of Arizona. For most convictions, the restoration of gun rights occurs two years following the completion of probation or once your prison sentence has ended.
Can a felon be around a person with a gun? ›Generally speaking, felons are still allowed to associate with or be around someone who owns a gun. However, this can be complicated if the gun itself is around, or if the person who owns the gun lives with the convicted felon.
Can a felon get a passport? ›According to USA Today, most felons can get a passport without a problem. This is assuming a person is not currently awaiting trial, on probation or parole or otherwise banned from leaving the country.
What disqualifies you from buying a gun in Arizona? ›
Under federal law, people are generally prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms if they have been convicted of a felony or some domestic violence misdemeanors, or if they are subject to certain court orders related to domestic violence or a serious mental condition.
Can I buy a gun in Arizona with a felony? ›In Arizona, state law (as well as federal law) prohibits the ownership of a firearm or even ammunition by convicted felons.
Can I fill out Form 4473 at home? ›You can fill out form 4473 online. The following items must be completed by the buyer: Personal Information (including residence address, place of birth, SSN); Questionnaire about mental and physical health, as well as past violations of the law.
Can you transfer a gun to a family member in Arizona? ›Can I buy a firearm as a gift for someone? Yes, as long as the receiver is not a prohibited person and the gifting is not being used to circumvent a background check or other laws. Calling a purchase intended in place of another is a straw purchase.
How many guns can you own in the US? ›Federal law does not limit the number of guns a person may buy in any given time period. However, federal law does require federal firearm licensees (“FFLs”) to report multiple sales of handguns to ATF and other specified law enforcement agencies.
What states can you carry a gun without a permit 2022? ›Constitutional Carry States
This means that anyone that can legally carry a weapon may do so without a permit. The Constitutional Carry states are: Alaska (residents only), Arizona, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, Vermont (does not issue permits), West Virginia (residents only), and Wyoming.
Just because you have a felony record does not preclude your wife from owning a firearm. However, she must not allow you access to the weapon. As a felon, you could not own or possess such a weapon.
Can a felon be around a person with a gun? ›Generally speaking, felons are still allowed to associate with or be around someone who owns a gun. However, this can be complicated if the gun itself is around, or if the person who owns the gun lives with the convicted felon.
Can a felon live in a house with a gun in Arizona? ›In Arizona, you are prohibited from knowingly possessing a firearm where you've been convicted of a felony or adjudicated delinquent for a felony and your civil right to possess or carry a firearm hasn't been restored.
How long before a convicted felon can own a gun in Arizona? ›The good news is that there are ways to restore your gun rights as a felon in the state of Arizona. For most convictions, the restoration of gun rights occurs two years following the completion of probation or once your prison sentence has ended.
What happens if you make a mistake on a 4473? ›
If your ATF Form 4473 is not complete and inaccurate, you could have your application denied. But more than that, you could also be arrested and face harsh criminal penalties. Lying on a gun application is a criminal offense.
What happens if you lose a 4473? ›If you find that you are missing a single Form 4473, you should conduct a thorough and diligent search of your premises and make a call to the customer to verify that he did not mistakenly take it with him. If you still cannot locate it, contact your local ATF field office immediately.
What happens if NICS denied? ›A deny message from the NICS indicates the subject of a background check has been matched with a similar name and/or similar descriptive information of a record containing a state law prohibition or any of the following federally prohibitive criteria.
Can you carry a gun in a bar in Arizona? ›Last updated September 15, 2021 . In 2009, Arizona enacted a law allowing concealed weapons permit holders to carry handguns into the premises of a licensed bar or restaurant that serves alcohol unless the alcohol licensee has posted a sign that clearly prohibits the possession of weapons on the licensed premises.
Can I buy a gun in AZ and bring it to California? ›Out-of-State Guns Must Come Into California Through a Dealer
In order to bring into California any guns bought or obtained out of state, California residents must have the weapons directly shipped to a licensed gun dealer.
The simple answer is yes. It is perfectly legal for you to receive a firearm as a gift, so long as you are legally allowed to possess firearms.