I went to Walmart the other day to look at a couple of weapons. I am thinking of a 20 gauge single shot for rabbits, small birds, and a 22 rifle for squirell.

Can a 20 gauge with a "slug" really bring down a deer? (the salesman said so). How close do you need to be to be effective?

Also, they wanted to do a fingerprint and background check. I have no reason to fear this, (no criminal or mental problems) but wonder if their is a legal way to purchase a gun (perhaps a swap meet?) without getting my name on the governments registers as a gun owner....

Any Advice?

P.S. I was an expert marksmen in the U.S. Army - but that was a decade ago and I have never purchased a weapon before. So even tough I am not exactly a newbie, there is lot about weapons that I don't know.

Thanks in Advance.

Berry

-- Berry Picker (BerryPicking@yahoo.com), August 19, 1999

Answers

Berry:

Yes, a 20 gauge slug can bring a deer down from relatively mid-range distances. As far as giving you an exact distance figure, I'll leave that to others to discuss. But may I recommend a pump shotgun instead, if you can afford one? Having hunted small game with a 20 gauge single shot, there were many times that I would have liked to have had more than one shot, especially since I often shot too quickly at rabbits, pheasants, etc.

As far as gun registers go, I can't answer that one. Someone else will, though.

Best of Luck

-- cynic (cynic@skeptic.com), August 19, 1999.

Yes, a 20 gauge slug will bring down a deer. I am not aware of any land animal on this planet that it wont take down. the down side is it's not a good long range gun >100yrds. If your a good shot, your .22 will take down a deer with a head shot <50yrds.

The law states that once you clear the background check, all the paperwork gets destroyed. Seems a bit strange though, when they find a gun they can trace it back to the buyer.

You could buy from a swap show or a friend but, the truth is, if the government wanted all the guns, how would they get them? go door to door? If they do, I think that would be Waco X 250,000,000. I just don't see it happening.

-- DOC (USN) (Hoping_for@the.best), August 19, 1999.

Paperwork is not destroyed. It is filed by the dealer. If a gun is traced by number they start at the factory, then distributer, then dealer. Under current Federal law you can buy at gun shows or from individuals without paper work. Your state law may or may not be different. Try the want adds or a gun show if you can buy direct in your state, I would think you could in most states. I doubt that many states except N.Y., Calf, and Mass. would prohibit. Most gun registration is on TV, not the real world. I would not worry about being traced unless you do something illegal & drop the gun, unless the gun has been used in a crime, there in no way to match the bullet to a gun unless they have the gun. I cannot immagine that the people who may try to confiscate guns will live long enough to get very far.

-- rambo (rambo@thewoods.com), August 19, 1999.

A good way to get a gun w/o your name involved is to buy at an auction. Prices are often good too. Avoid ammunition purchases at auctions (unless the price is too good to pass up), because it's often shoddy.

-- Gus (y2kk@usa.net), August 19, 1999.

Check the classified ads of your nearest metro-area newspaper. Look under "firearms", "hunting supplies," or "sporting goods". The larger the circulation of the paper, the more variety you'll likely find. The nickel ads that are free at any supermarket normally carry weapons for sale too. As long as your state doesn't prohibit it, you can buy privately from an individual with no paper trail.

Might I be so bold as to suggest a 12 gage instead of a 20? The ammunition is more common, has a larger spread (more likely to hit your target) and has more stopping power.

If you want a really versatile shotgun system, get a common pump shotgun (Mossberg 500, Remington 870, Winchester 1300), and get some extra barrels for it. You can usually find extra barrels (or information on them) at a local gun shop. If you buy a shotgun with a 26" bird barrel, for example, get an 18-20" riot barrel for home defense, and a 24" slug barrel for hunting. That way you have one weapon that can perform multiple tasks, and it's cheaper than buying 3 different weapons.

-- Moe (hunterX@aol.com), August 19, 1999.

Hey Moe

A private party purchase still technically requires use of someone's FFL to complete the transfer....right? Or were you refering to collectible guns??

-- curly (where@is.larry?), August 19, 1999.

"Berry Picker,"

I suggest you consider a 12 gauge, depending on your recoil tolerance. Some folks find the "12" uncomfortable. Admittedly, the "20" is more comfortable to shoot, but a tad less versatile than the "12." A 20 gauge slug will drop a deer, but your range is severely limited. A 12 gauge slug gun gives you a bit more range and "oomph."

Per the earlier observations, I think the pump action gives your more options than a single shot. You'll find most very reliable.

It seems every shooter has a favorite manufacturer, but I think you are safe with a Remington, Mossberg or Winchester. I like the Winchester "Marine" shotgun in stainless steel. It makes for an ugly gun, but I have become a believer in stainless for low maintenance. Mossberg makes a milspec combat shotgun with a parkerized finish that also seems like a good choice for "defense."

I'll recommend the Ruger 10/22 for a "plinking" or squirrel gun. I have a 10/22 that I have tuned into a target rifle with a match grade stainless barrel and titanium hammer, sear, etc. It's a tack driver, but the 10/22 is also a good rifle out of the box. My personal favorite .22 is the Winchester 94/22. It's accurate and a beautiful gun to boot.

In the end, it depends on your budget... but in the world of firearms, you usually get about what you pay for. Stay with solid manufacturers and you should do fine.

Regards,

-- Mr. Decker (kcdecker@worldnet.att.net), August 19, 1999.

Look for private dealers at gun shows. Bought a pistol through one last week w/o paperwork.

-- bundy (trash@hotmail.com), August 19, 1999.

Some info needs correcting. ALL DEALERS, anywhere, anytime, including those at gunshows _must_ have the purchaser submit formal identification, and in turn submit that info to the enforcement authoritie(s) for approval, active or passive, prior to releasing the firearm. New or used, same rules. In some States, those persons posessing current, valid concealed carry permits _may_ not be subjected to an additional examination, their prints, photo, etc already being on file with the FBI. Private parties - non dealers - are exempt: they are not licensed. Pawn shops are licensed. Auction houses _may_ require the Federal form be completed and approved prior to release of the property. Truly private parties are currently exempt under current law. For confidentiality, the best way to purchase is thru private sale, cash. Within that same time frame, determine via local law enforcement (or _any_ law enforcement), how to present them with the serial number so they might check and confirm the gun was not stolen, or - as happened to my son - stolen, recovered, returned to original owner, and the "stolen report" had never been removed from the National Computer system! That sometimes happens, and takes a while to resolve.

-- A. Hambley (a.hambley@usa.net), August 20, 1999.