Gregory Kielma • November 14, 2025
How long does it take to walk into a gun store and come out with a semi-automatic, if I have a clean record in America?
How long does it take to walk into a gun store and come out with a semi-automatic, if I have a clean record in America?
Gregg Kielma
Let's Take a LOOK.
It depends on the state; however, I wanted to share a client's personal experience for a couple reasons.
1. It may surprise some people - especially non-gun owners.
2. I feel it illustrates that gun control and gun laws are two different things and before jumping to the conclusion that we need more (or fewer) laws pertaining to guns, everyone should take a few minutes to educate themselves and use common sense.
From a Client:
This is my first time gun buying experience from about 4–5 years ago. His Thoughts
I’d done quite a bit of research online, pretty much settled on what I wanted and decided it was time to walk into a gun store to look and make the final decision in person. After about 15 minutes I’d settled on a Gen 4 Glock 19. The store was running a special on the Gen 4s and I received a free box of ammunition, as well as an extra magazine.
Next up it was time to go through the background check and pay. I had to wait, because there was an older guy and his son in front of me. He was purchasing the gun for his son (because he wasn’t 21) - apparently his son was joining a junior police academy and needed a handgun. Well, his background check came back - he had some kind of domestic abuse charge - no gun for you, no gun for your son. The owner of the gun shop chastised him for even wasting her time since he clearly knew that was on his record.
Clients Turn. They ran my details; everything came back clean and it was time to pay. Something people may not realize is that guns aren’t cheap. Mine was close to $500. That’s a decent chunk of change and puts them out of many people’s reach economically. Of course, I’d imagine criminals acquiring weapons for much less - but then again, they don’t go through the proper process or channels.
Great, background check cleared, I’ve paid and ready to go. The guy behind the counter bags things up and hands it to me - then the owner starts berating him. Apparently by putting the newly purchased gun (still in the case) and the box of ammunition, into the same bag they were setting me up to get a felony when I walked out of the store. They also gave me specific instructions about putting the gun and/or ammo in the trunk of my car - NOT the passenger compartment. Again, throwing the now two separate shopping bags into my back seat would have potentially been criminal (felony).
This is where things get crazy. In Ohio,
you can load up a gun - put it in a holster (on the outside of your clothes) and walk around in most public places. But, as soon as you cover up the gun - or get into a car with it - you’re breaking the law (felony) unless you’ve gotten a special license/permit. This requires more background checks, fingerprinting, attending a class, paying more money, etc.
Now, let’s say you’re all about following the letter of the law and you go through all these steps so that you can carry your gun in your car. Things don’t get easier - because each state can be different. Despite having a permit, passing the background checks, etc - if you happen to drive into Chicago,
you could be in a lot of trouble. Apparently, you can drive right through with no problems, but if you step foot outside of your car (even to get gas, even if you leave the gun in the car) you’re now in a world of trouble (felony). It makes you wonder why Chicago has so much gun violence when the gun laws there are so strict.
The laws are very strict for gun owners, they can be very confusing, and it seems, by definition, only followed by law abiding citizens.
Kielma's final thought.
1.) Know the gun laws in your state. Not knowing is not an excuse, ever.
2.) Take a CCW Class
3.) Be the reasonable person.
4.) Stay in condition yellow when an armed citizen.
5.) Always treat the firearm as loaded.
6.) Never point it at anything you do not want to destroy.
7.) Never us alcohol/or drugs when armed.
8.) Do not [put yourself in bad situations.
9.) Avoid-escape-Defend
10.) Always deescalate never escalate and situation when armed.
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