skizzums said:
not makin the wife a felon, it will be her gun that she lets me shoot sometimes, plus she has bought guns as chrstmas presents before, does that make her a felon? i actually bought my dad a nagant this christmas, am i a felon? i was undre the impression that transfers between family were all good, is that not the case?
Under federal law, living family members have no special standing as it relates to firearms transfers. This is a widespread and widely parroted misconception. Unless state law says otherwise, gifting a firearm to your wife or your dad is no different than gifting it to your best friend, your boss, or your garbageman.
A "legitimate gift" of a firearm is legal under federal law. In order for the transfer to be considered a legitimate gift, the firearm must be purchased with the buyer's own money, and it must be gifted with no compensation expected in return. This is explained in detail in the instructions for question 11.a. on Form 4473.
HOWEVER, IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE...
It is a felony to knowingly or recklessly transfer a firearm to someone meeting the definition of a prohibited person under 18 U.S.C. § 922(d). [To put it another way, a prohibited person is someone who would have to answer answer "Yes" to any of the questions from 11.b. through 11.l. on the 4473.] Your wife presumably knows that your NICS check has been delayed. This gives her reason to suspect that you MIGHT be a prohibited person. If this turns out to be the case, she could be charged if she transfers any firearm to you.
It is a SEPARATE felony under 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(6) for a prospective buyer to lie on question 11.a. on the 4473, or any other question on the form, for that matter.
This has nothing to do with whether or not the intended (or actual) recipient is a prohibited person. If she is buying the firearm FOR HERSELF with HER OWN MONEY, there is no problem. However, if she is really buying the firearm FOR YOU, she can only do it with HER MONEY, and no compensation can be expected in return. If she buys it FOR YOU WITH YOUR MONEY, she could be charged (and so could you).
It is ALSO a felony for a person without a federal firearms license to knowingly transfer a firearm to a resident of another state, or for anyone to transfer a firearm to a minor except under certain specific circumstances. (However, for the purposes of this discussion, I'll assume your wife is also a resident of GA, and is not a minor.) Additionally, applicable state laws should be followed. I am not familiar with GA firearms laws.
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Mandatory disclaimer: I am not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV.
This is not legal advice. Caveat emptor.]