Empty Gun Stores Should Make People Regret Banning Private Sales

Empty shelves and cases at the 10-8 gun shop in Bloomington, IL. Photo by the Pantagraph.

On January 2, 2020, it became illegal in Nevada to sell, or even to lend, a gun privately without going through a background check via a gun dealer (FFL). Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus panic, shelves and displays are empty at gun stores. Compounding this, it is taking DAYS just for dealers to call in the background checks on guns they have already sold. The Nevada DPS Point-of-Contact in Carson City is overwhelmed with calls.

Of course, those of us with concealed firearm permits (CCWs) don't have to get background checks (unless it's a private sale, but that's another issue) but only have to fill out the ATF Form 4473. Just filling out the form and showing the card is a great thing.

Yet many of the first-time buyers or people rushing out to get the gun they should have had a six months ago don't have CCWs and are forced to wait. The logjam at DPS is creating a de facto waiting period.

If private gun sales/transfers were still legal in Nevada, many of these people could turn to their friends and neighbors to buy or borrow a gun. There are plenty of sellers with an extra gun or two in their safe who would happily sell or barter their gun if the state hadn't thrown up such a hurdle. 

Imagine if gun stores were closed as "non-essential" businesses (they can't do that under current state law) or if stores couldn't be re-supplied. Where would the market turn then? Many people are having their right to keep arms infringed upon by bureaucracy and Democratic Party gun control. 

Ultimately, this problem is in the hands of many Clark and Washoe County residents rushing out to buy guns. This problem is because of uninformed voters, many of whom now feel the need for the emotional comfort of a gun, who voted for Democrats and stupidly voted for Question 1 in 2016. Elections have consequences.

Many of these guns will be sold over the coming months or years as financial hardship comes or interest in owning a gun declines as society normalizes. After this crisis passes, many will forget that having multiple firearms, lots of ammo, and stores of food are what allow you to weather a crisis. Too many voters will vote for feel-good policies or politicians who say things that tickle their ears while eroding their rights.