Pistol purchase issue

Find what you want and have it shipped to a local FFL. Most pawn shops do it for a small fee. Walk in, give them your permit, fill out a 4473 that they'll file away, and walk to the car with your purchase.
 
Smitty said:
I was trying to purchase a S & W M&P .380 (easy rack - I have major shoulder issues and have a hard time racking a regular pistol).
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HA, the same gun that took me two hours to purchase from Academy.
 
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wvsig said:
Yup I am with Jeppo here. What were you trying to purchase?
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I was trying to purchase a S & W M&P .380 (easy rack - I have major shoulder issues and have a hard time racking a regular pistol). I wanted the 9mm version of it, but couldn't find it. I was also looking at a Bersa Thunder .380. Couldn't find that one, either.

@LeeMajors thank you for pointing me in the right direction. I'll probably purchase in about two weeks. I did find the S&W M&P shield ez 9mm also. I'm on the fence about the .380 vs 9mm. Some people are very adamant about the 9mm being superior. Either of them will neutralize a threat that is close to me. I compared the Bersa .380 to the 9mm. The Bersa is pretty accurate for a lesser caliber firearm. I'm still a novice so please correct/educate me if necessary. I want to be a responsible owner.
 
Smitty said:
I was trying to purchase a S & W M&P .380 (easy rack - I have major shoulder issues and have a hard time racking a regular pistol). I wanted the 9mm version of it, but couldn't find it. I was also looking at a Bersa Thunder .380. Couldn't find that one, either.

@LeeMajors thank you for pointing me in the right direction. I'll probably purchase in about two weeks. I did find the S&W M&P shield ez 9mm also. I'm on the fence about the .380 vs 9mm. Some people are very adamant about the 9mm being superior. Either of them will neutralize a threat that is close to me. I compared the Bersa .380 to the 9mm. The Bersa is pretty accurate for a lesser caliber firearm. I'm still a novice so please correct/educate me if necessary. I want to be a responsible owner.
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Accuracy isn't the issue with .380. And you'll find plenty of opinions of "What's enough" in terms of pistol caliber. For me, i'd be perfectly comfortable with a .380 from a performance perspective. .380 ammo generally runs more expensive than 9mm though....but it is all expensive in an election year with Covid.
 
JohnnyTyler said:
https://grabagun.com/smith-and-wesson-mp380-shield-ez-380acp-laser.html

Not sure if you're wanting one with a laser or not but it's what they have in stock.

ETA: They also have the 9mm version.

https://grabagun.com/smith-and-wess...mm-3-83-barrel-8-rounds-no-manual-safety.html

https://grabagun.com/smith-and-wess...9mm-3-83-barrel-8-rounds-no-thumb-safety.html

Looks like they have at least a dozen FFLs in your area on their FFL locator.
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I was doing a little surfing. It's a very comprehensive site. My brother is a big firearm collector. Former military also. He specifically told me if I can't break it down and put it together by feel, he said I shouldn't get a firearm. And he's old-school "Don't get optics until you're proficient with sights". LOL.
Re: FFL in my area. 100%. I should have started here to begin with. Thank you all so much for your input. I appreciate it.
 
A couple of suggestions since you're obviously new to buying guns. Find a local gun store that you like and try to get to know the people there and have them get to know you. It makes things go a lot smoother. If you're having a gun shipped in - let them know it's coming for you. Your local gun store might have to send their FFL to the shipping dealer before the gun can be shipped. They will need to know who to send their FFL info to.

I've found what I was looking for online at a good price. Went in and asked my LGS if they could order it from their distributor. Once was a "No", they couldn't get it and the other time was a "Yes" and they could get it cheaper than I found online. When buying online at a "great price" remember to add in shipping and the cost of the transfer fee (if there is one).

Good luck solving your problem and thanks for letting us know about this kind of unusual problem that someone else might also encounter.
 
papa_smurf said:
Accuracy isn't the issue with .380. And you'll find plenty of opinions of "What's enough" in terms of pistol caliber. For me, i'd be perfectly comfortable with a .380 from a performance perspective. .380 ammo generally runs more expensive than 9mm though....but it is all expensive in an election year with Covid.
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I always ask which would you be willing to stand in front of? As said above, at defensive distances .380 is perfectly acceptable. I carry a .380 because there is not a 9mm sub compact small enough for me to successfully conceal on my person.
 
Miss Lily said:
I always ask which would you be willing to stand in front of? As said above, at defensive distances .380 is perfectly acceptable. I carry a .380 because there is not a 9mm sub compact small enough for me to successfully conceal on my person.
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It sounds like you and I are on the same page. But, others will have their own opinions also, and thus the never ending debate will go on.
 
Avoid "Big Box" stores like the plague! I found a gun at a Cabelas in PA that I had to have but waited until I got home and ordered online. I knew there would be legal hassle and waited it out.

Search local first (LGS or private sale), then online/shipped to a trusted local FFL.

ETA: Much like Walmart, big box retailers put bodies where thay are needed in their stores. The guy you are talking to in the firearms section today was trying to sell baseball bats to Little League Moms yesterday.
 
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In defense of big box stores, as an Nc resident I have purchased a few rifles and a couple pistols from Cabellas in Fort Mill SC. The process is slow, but it works. Pistols are shipped to my ffl some 10 miles away in NC.
 
Miss Lily said:
I always ask which would you be willing to stand in front of? As said above, at defensive distances .380 is perfectly acceptable. I carry a .380 because there is not a 9mm sub compact small enough for me to successfully conceal on my person.
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Miss Lily said:
Avoid "Big Box" stores like the plague! I found a gun at a Cabelas in PA that I had to have but waited until I got home and ordered online. I knew there would be legal hassle and waited it out.

Search local first (LGS or private sale), then online/shipped to a trusted local FFL.

ETA: Much like Walmart, big box retailers put bodies where thay are needed in their stores. The guy you are talking to in the firearms section today was trying to sell baseball bats to Little League Moms yesterday.
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Thank you for that tidbit about something compact enough for concealed carry; I found a holster that kind of molds itself to your body just inside of your waist band. I have some reading to do. I also shot a .38 special I liked. I was surprised that the recoil was less than I expected. The speed loader makes it much more attractive. I used a universal loader which I found cumbersome. The speed loader make for the specific caliber firearm was far easier to use than the universal loader. I found it a bit unwieldy.
 
Smitty said:
I don't know what they did. All they have is my NCDL#. I didn't do a 4473 and no money changed hands.
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Smitty said:
I was the one paying for the gun, but then he talked about purchasing it and that's where we ran afoul. I didn't know and he should have known better. He did most of the talking. ....
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This is your problem. I can’t really know who did or said what, but the ffl in TX got suspicious that this was a Straw Purchase when the ‘confusing’ discussion on payment, shipment to out of state FFL and your buddy did ‘most of the talking’ etc

Not sure how to straighten it out but Straw Purchase is bad stuff for the FFL involved.

Better to just ask the FFL who has the gun that you want how to purchase it legally and they will steer you straight. Non one expects you to know all the inner workings of ATF regs.
Hope you can get it worked thru to good understanding.
 
Engineer said:
This is your problem. I can’t really know who did or said what, but the ffl in TX got suspicious that this was a Straw Purchase when the ‘confusing’ discussion on payment, shipment to out of state FFL and your buddy did ‘most of the talking’ etc

Not sure how to straighten it out but Straw Purchase is bad stuff for the FFL involved.

Better to just ask the FFL who has the gun that you want how to purchase it legally and they will steer you straight. Non one expects you to know all the inner workings of ATF regs.
Hope you can get it worked thru to good understanding.
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Thank you. I hope so too.
But for now, I have to put it on the back burner. I have to have major surgery in a few weeks and need to go north for it. (Family to help me recover). I did have my appointment with the sheriff's office for prints and sign consent form for medical records last week. If I have all my ducks in a row, the permit will take about 90-120 days to issue. Ideally, I'd like to shop with one of you all that have provided me with good advice and suggestions. I'll be out of commission for two months and stuck up in the God-forsaken tundra. I'd like to find something before I leave, time permitting. Otherwise, it will be early December.
 
I'm very grateful for the time each and everyone of you have taken to help educate me and steer me in the correct direction to avoid running afoul of the laws and regulations. I will definitely be following up, even if it's from a hospital bed in (up there!).
 
Smitty said:
Thank you. I hope so too.
But for now, I have to put it on the back burner. I have to have major surgery in a few weeks and need to go north for it. (Family to help me recover). I did have my appointment with the sheriff's office for prints and sign consent form for medical records last week. If I have all my ducks in a row, the permit will take about 90-120 days to issue. Ideally, I'd like to shop with one of you all that have provided me with good advice and suggestions. I'll be out of commission for two months and stuck up in the God-forsaken tundra. I'd like to find something before I leave, time permitting. Otherwise, it will be early December.
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May your surgery and recovery go much better than the docs predict.

WHAT?!? "the permit will take about 90-120 days to issue"
 
Pink_Vapor said:
May your surgery and recovery go much better than the docs predict.

WHAT?!? "the permit will take about 90-120 days to issue"
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The Concealed Carry Permit will take 90-120 days to process from what they told me at the sheriff's office. They were booking appointments for fingerprints, medical release doc signatures into December. I was originally booked 12/10/2020 at 1:00 pm. Someone from the permit office called me last week and said if I come in between 9:00 am and 12 noon, they could print me and I could sign the medical release documents. They informed me at that time the wait for a concealed carry permit is 90-120 days from the date of my fingerprints and medical release signature. It's crazy. The processing office is closed on Fridays, but apparently, they are offering Saturday hours because the back log is so large.
 
Smitty said:
The Concealed Carry Permit will take 90-120 days to process from what they told me at the sheriff's office. They were booking appointments for fingerprints, medical release doc signatures into December. I was originally booked 12/10/2020 at 1:00 pm. Someone from the permit office called me last week and said if I come in between 9:00 am and 12 noon, they could print me and I could sign the medical release documents. They informed me at that time the wait for a concealed carry permit is 90-120 days from the date of my fingerprints and medical release signature. It's crazy. The processing office is closed on Fridays, but apparently, they are offering Saturday hours because the back log is so large.
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That's nuts. When I got mine in Harnett Co ~7 yrs ago it took 5 days.
 
Smitty said:
I have to have major surgery in a few weeks and need to go north for it.
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I hope it all goes well, and recovery is fast and complete. Sorry you have to "go north".....:rolleyes:
 
TSConver said:
Most of the big box stores will not allow you to purchase in one state and ship to another state. Bass Pro is the same. You can purchase it online and then pick it up in your state but not state to state. They are flakey. I would guess the only 30 day issue is in the academy system. There is no state or national database for FFLs to see if people are trying to commit straw purchases. You will be fine going to another FFL for a purchase or pickup. In fact with a PPP or a CHP i never enter anything into any system. Just fill out 4473, sign and go.
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I just talked to a Cabelas store, I think in Wisconsin. Was going to buy a gun from their a Gun Library and have it shipped to Bass Pro in Myrtle Beach. Was told that was not a problem except the gun I wanted had been sold the week before. Guy also said they would ship to my local FFL if I preferred. I guess he knew what he was talking about. Seemed quite knowledgeable
 
Hi All-
Been a crazy two months. I have been approved for my CCP. No interview with the local sheriff. Good thing, because I'm still stuck up north. So the whole Academy debacle is in the rearview mirror. I won't be able to pick up the actual permit until I get back next month, but I'm pleased that it went smoothly.
Hope y'all are doing well. Thanksgiving is pretty much canceled, so we're having a funeral for our turkey followed by rioting and protesting. Please bring a dish to pass as rioting and protesting really works up an appetite!
Bon appetit!
 
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Smitty said:
Hi All-
Been a crazy two months. I have been approved for my CCP. No interview with the local sheriff. Good thing, because I'm still stuck up north. So the whole Academy debacle is in the rearview mirror. I won't be able to pick up the actual permit until I get back next month, but I'm pleased that it went smoothly.
Hope y'all are doing well. Thanksgiving is pretty much canceled, so we're having a funeral for our turkey followed by rioting and protesting. Please bring a dish to pass as rioting and protesting really works up an appetite!
Bon appetit!
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In Wake County they mail the permit to your home address, when you pay the fee you address the envelope they will use to mail it out .
If you don't want to deal with big box, check out kygunco.com, cdnnsports.com and kingsfirearmsonline.com.
 
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Not sure why they require a visit to the Sheriff's office. Maybe the NHC policy due to gun-related crimes? Thank you for all of the information and suggestions. I have plenty of information to sift through to find what I want.

I have another question. I follow a conservative website that sponsors (in part) the site. One of their sponsors offers a "simulator" program where you don't have to use real ammo, but can still practice. I can't recall the site right now. I'll search for it in the morning. Is anyone familiar with this simulator? It seems like it would be a bonus since you're not using real ammo. Thoughts?
 
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I've never been impressed with simulators. I would suggest getting a air soft or CO2 BB gun to practice with instead. Do room clearing in your house or backyard.

CD
 
I'm not sure about all of this, but here are my thoughts. Smitty was in TX trying to buy a gun that required a 4473. Smitty is not a TX resident. Smitty cannot buy a gun in TX as a non-resident of TX. As crazy as it sounds, Smitty could have ordered the gun online from NC and had it shipped to an FFL in NC. The issue is domicile.

The seller in TX is required to sell to someone legally allowed to complete the 4473, and that would be a TX resident with whatever permit TX requires. When you buy a gun online, the seller is not selling to you as they are doing the transfer to an FFL in your state. You are merely paying for the gun, shipping, etc. The gun is transferred to the FFL who transfers it to you.

Smitty was showing NC credentials to a TX seller. Under the online purchase scenario a NC resident never shows NC credentials to the seller. The seller doesn't care whether a NC buyer can legally buy the gun because they are transferring the gun to an FFL in NC.

Is this about right?

I was in IL about fifteen years ago and went with my wife's uncle to a gun shop. Without an IL FOID card I could not handle handguns in the shop, although I could handle long guns. The uncle ending up having a shotgun I wanted to buy from him, but he couldn't sell it to me and let me drive it home to NC. If I could have gotten out of IL with it I was ok, but he would have been in trouble if I ever had to own up that the gun had been transferred to me in the state of IL. So I came home, sent him a check and he shipped it to my FFL. Convoluted as horsecrap and cost shipping and FFL fee extra.
 
You can buy a long gun in another state if your state allows it. You can buy a handgun in another state and have it shipped to a FFL in your state. There was a case last year ago before the SOTUS that they did not take up that would have answered this. Wash. DC couple bought handguns in Texas and had them sent to DC. Issue is DC doesn't currently have a FFL. Smitty could have bought but could not have taken possession in the state of Texas. Only if sent to FFL in NC.

This is all an infringement on interstate commerce. With the Brady Act/NICS check this should all go away.

CD
 
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"You can buy a long gun in another state if your state allows it. " This is not true, all interstate transfers have to go through a ffl, that's a federal law. I think the problem here is the appearance of a straw purchase. Your friend offered to use his TX credentials to buy a gun for you. Once that appearance is made, the ffl is supposed to refuse the sale. Apparently Academy has a way of documenting a refused sale on their system. If a straw purchase is traced back to a ffl, it can trigger a full audit of paperwork, past sales and inventory and you can bet that no ffl would like to undergo that. Straw purchases are how a lot of criminals get their guns, girlfriends who can pass a background check buy a gun for their thug boyfriend.
 
mikehrl said:
"You can buy a long gun in another state if your state allows it. " This is not true, all interstate transfers have to go through a ffl, that's a federal law.
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It’s absolutely true, if he’s buying it from a dealer in another state. He can buy it and walk right out the door with it.
 
BigWaylon said:
It’s absolutely true, if he’s buying it from a dealer in another state. He can buy it and walk right out the door with it.
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yes Absolutely true, but through a ffl. private sales not. Will another state ffl accept a ccp from NC or through NICS?
 
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