Mar
17
2010
Are you packin’ heat?
Author: BoompoetAlright, I have not written in some time… call it the lazy attitude that always gets me into trouble. In light of a few current events, I decided to break the silence and jot down an idea or two. To begin, I have to tell you a story.
Someone I know was recently robbed. More than that, he was robbed at gun point. More than that, He was robbed at gunpoint in his driveway. One final detail; he lives next door to me. This means, he was robbed at gunpoint next to my house. It was quite obviously a crime of opportunity. It was late, dark and everyone was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I have since added a light to the front porch that casts 95 watts of halogen-flood-lighty goodness directly at the parking area. I know it’s a matter of time before a passing motorist spots the light, is momentarily blinded, goes careening off into the intersection and is horribly maimed, but hey… at least we have light.
My friend Christina and my roommate Andy felt they should have some protection and as I’m often out of town, I decided it would be best if they carried some firearms. I lent Christina a .357 and Andy got the .380. I’m not a “gun nut” by any stretch of the imagination but I do believe in a citizen’s right to bare arms. I also believe that a person should have the right to defined life and liberty with lethal force if they are threatened. This being the case, I felt it was my responsibility to supply my close friends with protection until they could obtain protection of their own.
Now, since I lent out the pistols, I have been thinking about a few things. One, something I’ve oft considered, is getting a concealed carry permit. The problem is, I am not allowed to carry a firearm in the company vehicle. I have no problem with this as I travel constantly, much of the time on air planes and couldn’t take one with me regardless. I also cross state lines pretty regularly so I’d have to get a federal carry liscene and it’s a big hassle so I am not going that route. The other thing I’ve been thinking is that I don’t believe either of my weapons are registered. Why did I think they were in the first place?
I bought my Ruger .357 Police Service Six at Max’s Pawn Shop right down the street from my house. I brought it home and filed the receipt… where, I have no idea. At the time, I believe the store clerk told me that part of the buying process was registration but without the receipt, how can I be sure I’m legal? The other, I purchased from an acquaintance and for all I know it was used in several murders. It was probably not a wise purchase. I don’t even remember the guys name from whom I bought it. I’ve started looking at information on how to register my firearms, but it seems more difficult than just calling the cops and giving them the serial numbers.
Every state seems to have different laws and statutes that govern the transfer, sale, and registration of firearms. I know this is so ownership of a gun is made so difficult, the would be casual owner just decides it’s not worth his time. If criminals want a gun, they’ll get it no matter what hoops they need to jump through… legal or illegal. Therefore, I am doing the same just to make sure I have the legal right to own my firearms. According to the website, Louisiana Firearm Questions, I’m legal. I am not a felon, handguns needn’t be registered in my state, and one can loan weapons out if the recipient is of legal age and is not a felon so we’re good. I am concerned, however, that people are being kept from the legalities purposefully. I’m hoping this link will be found and might be helpful to others.
Arm yourselves for the coming a-poppy-clypse.
