15 Things That are Harder Than Buying a Gun | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics

15 Things That are Harder Than Buying a Gun

It's ridiculous how easy it is to buy a gun

110
15 Things That are Harder Than Buying a Gun
Fox 13

I wrote this because I think some gun rights advocates are confused about what gun control really means. Democrats DO NOT want to "take away your guns". Gun control does not mean taking away your Second Amendment. You'll still have the right to bear arms, we just need to be more careful about who can get their hands on such a lethal item. We're not saying that these measures will get rid of murders and mass shootings in the U.S., but at least it's a start to lower the death toll. It's actually kind of ridiculous how easy it is to buy a gun.

Before I start the list of things that are harder to get than guns, here are a few interesting facts:

1. Gun stores have to run background checks before they sell a gun, but if any check takes more than 3 days, the sale can proceed. This means that some things (like criminal records) can be totally overlooked.

2. At gun shows, federally licensed dealers must follow regulations, but private collectors don't, meaning they don't need to complete a background check or demand an ID before they sell a gun.

3. Sales of guns between private citizens is perfectly legal and completely unregulated.

4. The man (I refuse to use his name) that murdered 9 at a Charleston church on June 15 this year passed his background check even though he had a record of drug possession and trespassing (you can fail a background check on the basis of drug addiction).

5. There are currently no federal laws prohibiting large-capacity ammo magazines (this increases how quickly someone can kill a large crowd), semi-automatic assault rifles (like the one the Orlando shooter use to kill 49 and wound 53 at Pulse nightclub), or military-grade rifles.

6. There is no waiting period to purchase a gun. A background check for this usually takes a few minutes on the computer. This means that an angry person can buy a gun before they have time to cool down. This was the case on August 19 of the Arizona man that tweeted that he needed to move out before he killed his roommates. His next tweet was about how easy it is to buy a gun. Then one of his roommates was found murdered.




15 Things That Are Harder Than Buying a Gun

1. Getting a Driver's License

In order to get a driver's license in the U.S., you have to prove your identity, take vision and written tests, have your photo taken, spend a few weeks or months using a learner's permit and logging your hours (depending on the state), pass a driving test, and in some states spend about 6 months using something called your "intermediate license" before you can finally get the full one.

2. Getting a Passport

To get this you need to prove your citizenship, fill out paperwork, have your photo taken, and usually wait about 6 weeks for it to process.

3. Buying Cold Medicine

Some over-the-counter meds require a valid photo ID proving you are 18 years or older and have limits on how much of it you can buy in a month (because of an ingredient that can be used to make meth).

4. Finalizing a Divorce

In some states it can take up to 6 months before you're officially through with your ex.

5. Getting an Abortion

Laws for this vary state by state, but some require that you get an ultrasound, go through in-person counseling, and wait 24 hours before you can go through with the procedure.

6. Getting Married

Some states, like Florida, require either an hours-long premarital class or a 3 day waiting period. There is also a marriage license application fee that usually ranges from $20 - $60.

7. Adopting a Pet

To bring home that shelter puppy you've had your eyes on, you usually have to be at least 21 (18 to get a gun), show your ID, provide references, a sometimes have a home check from the pet adoption agency.

8. Selling Lemonade

Even if you're an 8 year old in a residential area, in some states you need to get a food permit and a business license before you can open your little lemonade stand in front of your house.

9. Cutting Hair

Yes, your favorite stylist at the salon needed to get a permit and about 2 years of schooling (usually) before she started cutting your hair.

10. Getting Birth Control

Listen up boys, because all you have to do on your end is go to the corner store and buy a box of condoms. For a woman to get on birth control, she has to make a gyno appointment (which can take up to several weeks to get in), fill out paperwork, tell the doctor why she wants it, pay a co-pay, then go fill her prescription.

11. Registering to Vote

Take note if you want to give your say in this upcoming presidential election, because the clock is ticking to get registered. Some states require an ID and it can take 5-7 weeks for your paperwork to be finalized.

12. Buying Alcohol

You have to be 21 and show a valid photo ID.

13. Donating Blood

You have to show your ID, weigh at least 110 pounds, have zero history of organ failure, no drug use, can't be someone that exchanged sex for money, can't have traveled to certain countries, if you had cancer you have to wait a year after being cancer-free, wait 6 weeks after you've given birth, wait 48 hours - 4 weeks depending on what type of vaccine or immunization shot you've gotten recently, wait 1 month or be permanently deferred after taking certain meds, and wait 6 months after having angina, a heart attack, or heart surgery. And to top it off with the most controversial part, you can't be a gay man.

14. Changing Your Name

Whether you're taking your spouse's name or you're like Chad Ochocinco and just want to change your name to an incorrectly-translated Spanish version of your football number, there's a lot you have to do before it's official: create a petition and an "order to show cause for change of name", show your social security card, birth certificate & photo ID, get your documents notarized (some states), pay a fee that averages $100 - $200 (California's is $435), attend a court hearing, and tell a bunch of people about it: government agencies, work, banks, lawyers, post offices, your school, etc. Some of these places require a written notice and documentation of it.

15. Buying a Car

To get a car loan, you have to have a credit score above 680 or else you either have to get a cosigner or it's just not happening. You also have to show a proof of steady income, proof of insurance, a photo ID, and a proof of residence.

After all that, can you believe that you can literally walk into a gun show, fork over the money, and walk out with a semi-automatic assault rifle without having to show ID or do anything else?


I hope we can all agree that it should be harder to buy something that can kill a lot of people in a very short amount of time than it is to do at least a few of the things on this list?!


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
friends
Kristin Buggy

College is supposed to be one of the best times of your life. However, it is also one of the toughest transitions to make. There is so much anticipation and excitement leading up to moving into college. It doesn’t truly hit you until move in day when your parents say their final goodbyes and you see their car drive away. You truly are on your own. I was blessed to meet my best friends within the first week of school. Your college friends are so important and here’s why:

Keep Reading...Show less
13 Real Thoughts Every College Student Has At Some Point
Good Call

There are a few thoughts that go through a college student's mind on a day to day basis. Some of those thoughts come from class, some of then come from when you are bored in class. Here are sixteen thoughts that college students think of on a day to day basis.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Mouse, Cookie, Chaos!

He's going to ask for a glass of milk

82922
mouse with a cookie

One of my biggest pet peeves is when someone does not try to help their self before asking others. How can someone else be expected to help you if you do not first do that yourself? I'm all about helping those that need it when the time comes, however whenever someone does not even attempt to help him or herself first then that becomes a huge problem. As we all have learned, people tend to take advantage of us in one way or another. I am sure we all read this short story when we were younger and it follows that same principle:

Keep Reading...Show less
39 Traits You Know You Have If You're A Libra
Flickr

If you were born between September 23rd - October 22nd, then you are a Libra. Let's be real, Libras are the best because you are the perfect balance of all things in life. Some may find this boring, but they don't know anything about what it means to be all things at once. As Libras, we hold much on our shoulders that no one can understand. These are traits you know to be true if you are a Libra:

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

12 Types Of Drunk Girls You'll See In Every Friend Group

"Getting drunk with your best friends is an experience in and of itself. It takes us on wild and ridiculous adventures with the people we trust with our lives."

1809
friends
Cloud Front

Getting drunk with your best friends is an experience in and of itself. It takes us on wild and ridiculous adventures with the people we trust with our lives. Each one of you plays a vital role in making sure the night goes (relatively) smoothly.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments