How to Get a Gun License
The process of obtaining a gun can sometimes be difficult and confusing, but with the right information, one can pass through the process with very little difficulty.
Background
Gun control laws in America are a relatively recent development, with the earliest important examples, aside from the 2nd Amendment, all coming from the 20th century. Most gun control laws, however, are based on state policies, as opposed to federal laws, and therefore vary from state to state.
The difficulty of obtaining a gun license arose as a way to ensure that only responsible citizens were buying guns, officially, and most federal gun laws revolve around keeping guns out of the hands of citizens who should not have them. Read this article for a bit of background information on the rules of importance for guns and gun owners in America, and for a summary of the important acts.
Background Check
While the process of obtaining a gun license involves any number of steps, one of the elements that is mandated by federal law, as opposed to state law, is a background check. Nowadays, these background checks are performed quickly and easily with the help of an FBI database. The background checks are non-intrusive, and are aimed solely at determining whether or not you are prohibited from purchasing guns under federal law because you fall into one of many categories.
Background checks are also important for those seeking to obtain a federal firearms license, which would permit selling and working with firearms, as opposed to simply owning them. Read here for a more in-depth discussion of the nature of background checks in the purchase of firearms, and how they came to be.
Handgun Carry Permits
Most guns cannot be carried concealed, but many states have restrictive laws placed upon the sale and purchase of handguns specifically because they are concealable. Sometimes, these restrictions are focused upon carrying the handgun, and other times, they are focused upon the act of purchasing a handgun.
Regardless, determining the rules of handguns and handgun carry permits in your state will be important if you have any plans to purchase a handgun. Read this article for more information on the nature of concealed carry permits.
Firearms Safety Course
Some states require would-be gun owners to fulfill a firearms safety course in order to obtain their license. This is especially true in the case of concealed carry permits, as they carry with them a greater inherent danger.
Such training courses, however, even when not required, are very advisable for the would-be gun owner, as they ensure that he or she has all the necessary information on liability issues, on safety, and even on care and maintenance of the gun. Learn more about these safety courses within this article.
Fingerprinting, Payment, and License Issuance
Obtaining a gun license according to your state's laws can be an easy, quick process, but it can also involve any number of secondary requirements. Sometimes, you'll have to pay a fee for the license. Sometimes, you'll have to be fingerprinted by your local law enforcement agency, as a precaution.
Regardless, it always makes sense to find out what these procedures are and go through each and every one before buying your firearm. Having your firearms license before you purchase the gun is a very good policy, so visiting your local law enforcement agency to find out exactly what you have to do to make that happen is a good idea. Read this article for some more information and tips on how to complete the requirements for your gun license.
NEXT: Easy Guide to Pistol Registration Forms
