How do they sell weapons in the US, and how did a Las Vegas gunner buy them?

Фото: Depositphotos

October 2 in Las Vegas 64-year-old Stephen Paddock shot from the window of his room on the 32 floor of the hotel to the visitors of the music festival, as a result of which 59 people were killed, 527 were injured. A whole arsenal of weapons consisting of several dozen units that were legally acquired by him was found in the room and at the shooter’s house.

Edition “Currently,"Figured out the rules of the sale and possession of weapons in the United States.

The US Constitution guarantees all citizens the right to own weapons, but legislation on this issue varies greatly in different states.
There are four basic approaches to gun ownership in different states of the United States:

"Shall issue" - State authorities issue weapons authorization to anyone who meets certain criteria.

These criteria may vary slightly from state to state, but usually include age requirements, no criminal record and a history of mental illness. In some states, you need to pass fingerprints before buying or additionally take courses on the safe handling of weapons. Some states allow possession of weapons even by former criminals (after a certain period of time).

The general rule that applies in “shall states” is that if a person wants to buy a gun and meets all the required criteria, he cannot be denied a permit.

"May issue" - means that state authorities only give permission for the possession of weapons to those who prove that they need it, and that permission can be refused without giving reasons. Such rules apply in California and New York.

No authorization required - States where permission to purchase weapons is generally not necessary. In some of these states, weapons can only be kept unloaded, in others, you must always carry an identity card with you.

Gun possession is prohibited — by 2016, there were no such states left in the United States.

Nevada, where Stephen Paddock lived, belongs to a group of states with some of the most liberal weapons laws. To purchase weapons in Nevada do not need permission from the authorities.

Purchased weapons do not need to be registered, and the owner’s license is not asked for. However, licensed weapons sellers are required to verify the identity of the buyer when selling weapons: ask him for documents and force him to fill out a special questionnaire.

Paddock, according to shopkeepers where he acquired weapons, was not a regular customer, but passed all checksand the sellers did not find a reason to refuse him to buy weapons.

The weapons laws of Nevada are so liberal that in the state you can buy even automatic weapons without permission, which is prohibited for sale in many other states. There is also no limit on the size of the store.

Weapon stores in Nevada have not yet reported what exactly the shooter bought from them. Experts believe that it was automatic weapons and the fact that Paddock shot in bursts caused a large number of victims among the concert visitors.

As for carrying a weapon, in Nevada it can be worn quite openly. If the owner wants to carry a weapon hidden, he needs to get permission from the authorities to do it, but as a rule, in most districts it does not present any difficulties. Thus, even if someone from the hotel staff realized that Paddock was going to the room with a weapon, he could not stop him: there is no law in the state that would allow it to be done.

Florida where lived the “Orlando shooter” Omar Mateen, who shot visitors to a gay club on June 12, 2016, is also a “shall issue” state with fairly liberal gun laws. State laws allowed Mateen to legally purchase the AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, popular among mass killers, and kill 50 people and wound 53 others.

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