# Multiple Handgun Purchase and ATF **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 13, 2004, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-handgun-purchase-and-atf/259747 "2004-08-13T21:06:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![eno801](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c2a13f/32.png) [@eno801](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eno801)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2004, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-handgun-purchase-and-atf/259747/1 "2004-08-13T21:06:04Z")
I recently got a great deal on two handguns from out of state. When I went to my FFL to pick them up the nice lady behind the counter informed me that since I was making a multiple handun purchase She had to fill out a form and send it to the ATF and local police and that I would forever be on their records. Why is that? and will some men in black come a knockin’ in the middle of the night? ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2004, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-handgun-purchase-and-atf/259747/2 "2004-08-13T23:23:38Z")
What they’re looking for is “straw buyers.” Some guns that find their way into illegal hands are bought by folks with clean records who funnel dozens of guns to fake-name buyers. Unless you make several more handgun buys, the flag on your file probably won’t raise an eyebrow. You don’t show a location, but some dealers in some states are a flea market for the dirty gun trade. If you’re a clean cat, don’t sweat it. ---
**Author:** ![eno801](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c2a13f/32.png) [@eno801](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eno801)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2004, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-handgun-purchase-and-atf/259747/3 "2004-08-13T23:33:48Z")
I kinda figured it had to do with that. it’s the for LIFE thing that got me. also why not start at 3 or more handguns the only reason I bought these two at the same time is the guy needed cash and gave me a great deal if I took both. kinda sucks to be flagged. i wonder if it will affect my future purchases? not that that will be happening anytime soon as this last transaction cleared out my madmoney piggybank, lol. I am in Texas by the way. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2004, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-handgun-purchase-and-atf/259747/4 "2004-08-13T23:38:41Z")
2 guns at a time? And you’re in Texas? Won’t even be noticed. Hell, the Feds figure that a Texan who only buys two guns at a time probably just spent too much on beer already that weekend! 😃 I kid! I kid! Remember, I’m the guy that, when asked what I would call someone with 3 dozen guns in their house, replied “an amateur.” ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2004, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-handgun-purchase-and-atf/259747/5 "2004-08-13T23:43:14Z")
I feel your pain, but I’m leery of getting into a Bill of Rights discussion here in General Questions. In Great Debates, there’s probably a gun law debate happening right now. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2004, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-handgun-purchase-and-atf/259747/6 "2004-08-13T23:54:29Z")
So, **silenus** , what’s a “professional” gun owner do? Show them to people for a fee" 😉 Anyway, if you buy two or more handguns at the same time around here they’ll also notify the authorities. Maybe a little hassle, but those “straw buyers” **AskNott** referred to do present a problem. BTW; contrary to popular belief, you _can_ buy guns in California. Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![eno801](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c2a13f/32.png) [@eno801](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eno801)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2004, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-handgun-purchase-and-atf/259747/7 "2004-08-13T23:58:41Z")
well the lady did mention the houston police was getting a copy of my gun purchases as well as state. what they will do what that info is anyones guess. ---
**Author:** ![Bongmaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Bongmaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bongmaster)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2004, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-handgun-purchase-and-atf/259747/8 "2004-08-16T20:53:26Z")
> [@eno801](#): > > well the lady did mention the houston police was getting a copy of my gun purchases as well as state. what they will do what that info is anyones guess. I would happily bet they will file and forget it. They will probably only see the light of day to complie general statistics or if you shoot someone. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![eno801](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c2a13f/32.png) [@eno801](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eno801)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2004, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-handgun-purchase-and-atf/259747/9 "2004-08-16T23:19:04Z")
well it would be pretty expensive to actually shoot one with it. it is a desert eagle .50AE and being as i do not reload, retail bullets run about $1.00 a pop, lol. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2004, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-handgun-purchase-and-atf/259747/10 "2004-08-16T23:55:40Z")
> [@eno801](#): > > well it would be pretty expensive to actually shoot one with it. it is a desert eagle .50AE and being as i do not reload, retail bullets run about $1.00 a pop, lol. Is that round akin to the Model 500 S&W magnum round? Like [this](http://popularmechanics.com/outdoors/firearms/2003/9/top_gun/print.phtml) one? Damn, boy, don’t drop that thing (the bullet) on your foot! 😉