For those of you who don't know me very well, over the past few years I have come to appreciate the right to bear arms. I had a friend of mine who grew up with them teach me how to clean them, how to shoot them, how to handle them propertly, how to "check a weapon", shoot safely (I'm not the best shot though...) etc. I learned how to do things by the book since it -IS- a clearly dangerous device. Today while at a gun shop, I witnessed something that made me VERY uneasy. A little background, this place I was at is NOT a dive, not shady, not on any level a place you couldn't take anyone. It's a general hunting/fishing place. Also another disclaimer, if you don't care about any of the following topics, ignore this post - guns, laws, government, politics. Still reading? Good, I think you'll find this interesting.
In order to obtain a firearm, a background check must be done, and they check for the obvious stuff -- no felony convictions, no mental problems, no domestic violence cases outstanding, no illegal drug use, etc. This can be done VERY quickly, usually within a few minutes with a call in to the feds. I use to work closely with the "other end" of law enforcement with my time at the Attorney's Office and I was lucky enough to understand and detect (although this isn't rocket science) those that are under the influence of various controlled substences (crack/cocaine, LSD, X, marijuana, etc) and immediately noticed that one such symptom was being broadcasted by someone across the counter. No, I'm not kidding, at all.
The person in question had bloodshot eyes, pupils the size of golfballs and slightly ...I wouldn't say frantic but very "switchy" -- he'd been doing crack/cocaine at best 24 hrs ago (probably earlier that morning). I watched this guy intently, listening to his conversation. He says his son had taken his other gun, got arrested (hu?) and the police took it and wouldn't give it back until he proved it was purchased legally. Ok, at this point, if EVERY SINGLE red flag in your head isn't goin off, I can't help you. He then explains to the clerk, and I can't believe this, that he was serious about buying another gun as well as getting his proof of purchase. The guy behind the counter showed him a good, well made weapon, at a cost around 600$. If you've ever looked, 600-800 is right around what you'd expect for a good, quality gun (in this case a brand new Beretta 92 9mm) -- I paid 600 for my first gun (not a Beretta), USED -- he didn't want that. Then he was shown another, a nice Glock with a price tag around 500-550. He didn't want that either. The ...um, clerk pulls out the cheaper gun (I'll refrain from saying what kind, I don't like 'em, I think they're crap) for 350 in a 9mm. He was more interested.
Now mind you, during this entire exchange, the clerk is NOT handing the person the gun, at all, he WILL NOT let him touch it which is a clear indication that he (the clerk) has noticed "somethin' aint right" -- every time I, joe citizen, go in and ask to see one, I am presented the piece, regardless of cost, checked (verified no bullets in the gun) and handed over as if it were a priceless piece of jewlery, typically with some discussion of the given clerk's experience or the other clerks in general, safety features, etc.
At this point, I'm very much "not cool" with this particular person. Even idiot me can pick up this guy is on something and the questionare you MUST fill out asks specifically if you have used something he clearly has (which is a felony!). I motion one of the other clerks over and express my concern. Almost unbelieveably, he says "Oh I know, happens all the time, but we can't stop them from buying any gun they want, it's their right just as much as it is yours, and we aren't cops -- we just can't do anything about it, we'd get the pants sued off of us".
-long pause-
<Sigh> He's right. So on monday I'm thinkin' I need to make a few phone calls, most noteably my friend thats a judge, see what she thinks. I know there's some circumstances where this guy could've had a good reason for it. Regardless, I, joe citizen, don't completely believe he'd be honest on that questionare.
** Update ** 4/13/2008
Got a comment on my blog from "The F.B.I." with the address given of info@fbi.gov but there's a problem with it -- 1, the IP comes back to France ...sorry, that doesn't make me feel its more authentic (using the onion aren't ya?), 2nd, it refers to internet crime and not ...um, real crime so for now, I'm going to leave it in the comment bin until I get a bit more info on this. So if you're reading this, use the contact page (link's up top) and drop me a line, let's talk.
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