Va handgun purchasing rules

[Adamt]

Hi, I'm a new member and I have a question. I was at the gun show in Richmond this weekend. I found a handgun I wanted and filled out the forms on Saturday at 1:00. My application was delayed, not sure why. The dealer took my number and said he would call me. I got a call on Sunday at 2:00. I couldn't get back to the show. I don't have a concealed carry permit yet. Does this mean I have to wait a month to buy this gun? Or does the fed and va know I didn't buy the gun?

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[Adamt]

Meant to mention that I was approved

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[Nemo24]

So a few days ago you filled out the background check paperwork to purchase a handgun but never took delivery of the gun? And you're wondering if the gov't believes you took delivery of the gun or not, based on the fact you turned in the paperwork?

[Adamt]

Yes, Nemo24. I filled out the background check and papwerwork and was approved but never purchased/took delivery of the gun. I want to know if I need to wait 30 days to purchase one or if, since I was approved, I can purchase one now. If I can purchase one now, what do I tell the store? They will want me to fill out the same paperwork and do a background check again. I'm not sure how this works but since I didn't get what I wanted at the show, I'd like to buy one locally.

Thanks for your reply.

[jdonovan]

. I want to know if I need to wait 30 days to purchase one or if, since I was approved, I can purchase one now. If I can purchase one now, what do I tell the store? They will want me to fill out the same paperwork and do a background check again. I'm not sure how this works but since I didn't get what I wanted at the show, I'd like to buy one locally.

The background check must be done at time of purchase.

If you don't want to buy the one from the shop that did the check, call them back and tell them to cancel you transaction. All relevant agencies will know that no transfer occurred.

Go to your local store initiate a new purchase, you will have to fill out new paper work and start a new background check.

BTW the law in VA is your may only take POSSESSION of one per month, you may BUY as many as you like.

[Adamt]

I've asked the dealer at the gun show to call it in as a no sale to the VA State Police but I'm not sure he will or has. So it sounds like there's no problem with me doing another check and buying a gun somewhere else. I guess if the State Police thinks the transfer was made at the gun show, they will tell the local gun shop that I can't take possession of the gun until x date. Do I understand this correctly? I can't wait, I just would prefer not to and I don't want to get into any trouble in the process.

[jdonovan]

I've asked the dealer at the gun show to call it in as a no sale to the VA State Police but I'm not sure he will or has. So it sounds like there's no problem with me doing another check and buying a gun somewhere else. I guess if the State Police thinks the transfer was made at the gun show, they will tell the local gun shop that I can't take possession of the gun until x date. Do I understand this correctly?

yes

[Adamt]

Thanks both for taking the time to explain this to me. Now if I can only find a Smith & Wesson Bodyguard .380 somewhere, I'll be cooking.

[tursiops]

Thanks both for taking the time to explain this to me. Now if I can only find a Smith & Wesson Bodyguard .380 somewhere, I'll be cooking.

I saw one at NOVA Armament.

[Adamt]

Thanks. I'm in Richmond and I'm trying to find one a little closer to home but I may have to drive.

[rromeo]

Try Liberty Firearms in Hopewell.

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[ProShooter]

Try Gary's Guns, Town Police, or DeGoffs.

[Adamt]

Where are Garys Guns and Town Police?

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[Adamt]

Where are Garys Guns and Town Police?

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[jdonovan]

perhaps this can help
http://richmondguns.com/category/businesses/gun-dealers

[user]

Might do better to buy a gently used one off a private party.

[Adamt]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I found a used one this morning that looks to be in good condition for $299. That's about what I wanted to spend. Since I'm on the question and answer forum, I have another question.

Most of my purchases have been new. What do I look for in a semi to determine how much this thing has been shot or what condition it's in? Where do I look for wear?

Thanks

[Nemo24]

This is my personal checklist:

Not being a gunsmith, and so not knowing how to fully disassemble a handgun down to it's components, I check the wear on the outside of the barrel of the pistol, the condition of the ramp-like thing on the receiver end of the barrel, the condition of the inside of the barrel, and the condition of the rails on the slide.

To me, a firearm is comparable to a car engine; it will last forever with proper oiling and basic maintenance. I check the outside of the barrel for excess wear due to friction with the slide. I expect to see plenty of marks, but no scrapes or gouges.
I check the ramp thing for the same type of damage. I expect very little permanent marks and no gouges.
I check the inside of the barrel for excessive use. The edges of the grooves should be fairly sharp and clean the length of the barrel, and the entire barrel should have a mirror shine with no pitting.
Checking the rails should be a no-brainer. Expect a decent amount of wear marks, but no damage.

If any of these areas don't check out, the seller may not have cleaned his gun regularly or properly, or maybe didn't oil the metal and moving parts correctly. Most any blatant abuse will be evidenced by marks, scrapes, or gouges to the surfaces of the parts.

Again, this is just my personal checklist.

[mk4]

a) look for wear on the slide rails on the frame and slide.
b) working the action to check for 'slop' in the slide to frame fit.
c) look for wear on the barrel's lock-up points. not sure if s&w's get 'smileys' on the barrel, but as long as there aren't gouges, it's fine.
d) get a snap cap and dry-fire it to feel the trigger break. you'll want caps anyway for your own practice.
e) probably not a bad idea to change out the recoil spring, if you don't know the round count. they're usually cheap.
f) magazine springs are also pretty cheap if you find feeding problems after buying.

most anything else would require a detail strip to see. ie. hammer, main & firing pin/striker springs, sear wear, etc.

hth.

edited to add: Nemo24's comment about checking the feed ramp is good. you can usually get a good look with the slide locked back. looking at the barrel interior might be more of a challenge unless you know how to field strip the slide to remove the barrel for a good look. you could always ask the seller to do it for you.

[Adamt]

The gun is actually at Green Top. They graded it as excellent and Bodyguards haven't been out that long so it's not that old. There was not much wear on the barrel - outside - and inside looks pretty good but I don't think it had been cleaned since last fired so it's hard to tell what the inside looks like. The magazine looked clean. I'll take a look at some of the other things you mentioned.

I just never know with used guns. A lot of people like to trade so they buy a good and don't shoot it much and trade it for another and it's perfectly fine. Others like to trade off a gun that doesn't shoot well or has reliability problems. I'm hoping that's not the case with this one.

Does anyone know if Smith & Wesson's lifetime warranty applies if you buy the gun used? I'm guessing they would but I don't know for sure. If I have problems with it, I don't mind sending it back for them to look at.