Gun Laws Question need Help....?
I'm currently a student at a West Virginia college, I'm going hunting this weekend and I know that the gun laws in WV are pretty lax so I'm thinking about getting a hunting rifle, Now I am originally from NJ but as far as I know I should be a resident of WV even though I don't have a drivers license from WV. I registered to vote in WV and put down my residence in WV so my question is, Am I able to buy fire arms in WV, In new jersey we have to get a license to purchase, is that the same in WV? Or can I walk into a gun store and walk out with a rifle even with out a WV ID?
Update:But obviously purchase with either my NJ License or DoD ID
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
In you question you should substitute the word "lax" for "reasonable".
WV residents do not need any kind of goofy gun license to purchase a gun, but Federal law requires that you produce a government issued ID (like a DL) that has your correct current residence (the one you will use on your ATF background from). If you are claiming WV residency, then you need a WV DL, passport, or military ID with your WV address.
I suggest that you go to the DMV and see how quickly you can get a WV license.
And BTW you might be able to buy a rifle in WV if you claimed NJ residency, but the dealer would still be required to comply with ALL NJ laws, including all required gun licenses and waiting periods. In any case make sure you can fill out the ATF form honestly as simply lying on it can subject to you to prosecution.
This is kind of a grey area. If you have moved and are a permanent resident their would be no issue. But if by law you are still considered a NJ resident you cannot without all the NJ licences. You would have to get a new drivers license beforehand as well.
Do you plan on moving back?
You'd have to be able to prove that you're a West Virginia resident somehow, but you should be able to purchase a rifle there.
Call the local gun store. I live in California and you need a Ca dl or ID. You won't know until you call.
nothing says you can't buy guns outside of your state of residency, the only issue happens when moving it across state lines, which requires a FFL to ship the gun(s) from the purchasing state to another FFL in your state of residency. in your case, you just need to walk in and buy the gun. from what I see, there is no waiting period or any required licenses, so you should be fine to just walk in, buy and walk out with your gun.
PS: Fatefinger, you don't need to meet your previous state's requirements when buying out of state, you only need to follow the requirements for the state you're buying the gun in. if you plan to go back to your previous state and live there again, you need to only meet their requirements when you try to transfer them through a FFL to your previous home state. in the asker's case where he's living in WV, he doesn't need to worry about any laws since there are no requirements to purchase a gun, except having a clean record.