Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Hey guys,
I looked around for a bit and couldn't really find a solid answer. The background check for my last handgun purchase took a week and a half. Apparently my name is fairly common. I have been planning on purchasing a SIG M400. There is a gun show coming up this weekend and I plan on attending hoping to find a nice deal. My question is, what are the rules and regulations of background checks at gun shows. Are the background checks any different than at a Shop ie. Green Top etc. Only reason I ask is I know I am qualified to purchase, however if I find an awesome deal, I don't want to not be purchase just because my background check takes forever. Are most considered "private dealers" in which they just ask if you can own a gun and ask for two forms of ID? Any clarification will be most appreciated. Have a good morning!

Or are the background checks different between rifles and handguns? Also the 1 in 30 rule only applies to hanguns, correct?

Background checks are the same wether you are buying a rifle or handgun in Virginia. You are correct that there is a state law that limits you to one handgun per 30 days. The exception to this is if you have a Virginia concealed handgun permit. If you have the finances however you could go buy 50 AR-15s the same exact day and another 20 12 gauge shotguns. Basically the only things limiting you on purchasing long guns are your finances the dealer's inventory and the background check since you have a fairly common name.

In regards to finding a deal at the gunshows, don't get your hopes up. At least at the Nation's Gun Show in Chantilly, most everyone selling modern firearms that has a table is an FFL holder, which means they are required to run a background check. And as if that isn't enough, the times I have gone, it seems they have jacked the prices up from their normal show room prices. I saw FFLs with glocks listed above $650 at the show. You will see private individuals selling firearms, but that can be hit and miss at times. The priviate individuals with tables are usually selling older firearms, think mausers/enfields/mosin-nagants. The only time I go to gunshows these days is if I am looking for the more exotic weapons that dealers don't normally stock.

I also tend to look online as well for both modern and older firearms. Even with the shipping and the FFL transfer fee, I usually still come out ahead in terms of pricing. So good luck with finding a good price on the Sig where ever you look and I hope you end up happy with your purchase. Don't forget the ammo

- no difference in check between gun show and brick & mortar store.
- no difference in check between handguns and long guns, except for 1 handgun per 30 days w/o a chp, and extra id needed for 'assault' style weapon.
- no such thing as a 'private dealer'. ffls must run a check before transferring.
- a 'private seller' can transfer w/o a check. most will do a bill of sale and check id.

Check WalMart. The one in Christinsburg has an M400 for $800.

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I bought 2 handguns and had them shipped to my FFL last week. I'm told the server crashed yesterday. I have a CFL and I did the paperwork on Tuesday. By Thursday afternoon, it's still on hold.

Any insight?


Lifetime NRA Member

The way things have been going, if you buy at a show, don't count on being able to take it home that day (or the next day). So be careful of what dealers you buy from, so you're not stuck with a choice of driving five hours to pick the gun up, having it transferred to a more local dealer (yet more money), or just cancelling the sale.

I've had good luck shopping online for a good price and either taking a printed copy to the show for price matching (saving on the transfer fee) or calling the dealer in advance to set your price and pick up at the show (again no transfer fee).

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I find that the Gunshows aren't that great with deals. And don't get me started on background checks.