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(in the US) So that the government can conduct a background check on you to determine if you are legally qualified to purchase a firearm.

A private individual does not need a license of any sort to purchase a firearm from another private individual under federal regulations administered by BATF&E. State laws will vary, with some states requiring a permit to purchase a handgun.

Only when a private individual purchases a firearm from a Federally Licensed Firearm's dealer, is the dealer required to conduct a background check, called a NICs check, to verify that there is no record of the individual being legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.

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14y ago

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