Isn't there some exception for long guns in bordering states? Or am I thinking of something completely different?
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Think of two parallel railroad tracks. One is private long gun sales; the other track is entitled FFL sales.
If private, cannot cross state lines, unless FFL involved.
If buying from FFL, can cross state lines.
Is that under federal law? I also seem to recall something about how some states allowed purchases in neighboring states. I'm thinking it was out west, so someone in Texas could go to New Mexico, buy a gun, and bring it back.
But, again, just because state law might allow something, doesn't mean federal law does, too.
Well, technically, yes. But in my experience with federal laws with national application, a circuit opinion on that law means 1 of 2 things: that interpretation is applied everywhere or a split develops that is resolved (one way or another) by SCOTUS.
For this example, from an enforcement angle, it would be a tricky logistical puzzle to allow those transactions in the 5th circuit while not allowing them elsewhere.
Federal and state. Federal used to allow between neighboring states if the states had a law allowing it. Now it is allowed in neighboring states, if the states don't have a law against it. It changed a couple years ago. IN used to have a law that allowed it between neighboring states, it has since been repealed.
^^This. Indiana had a law specifically allowing sale of long guns to Hoosiers in FFL dealers in neighboring states, mirroring a federal law that was declared unConstitutional a bunch of years ago, and thus, was only restricted because of state law. The state law was changed about 4 years ago, I think. Now, if in any other state, and the other state's law does not forbid, you may purchase a long gun in their FFL stores and bring it home with you.
Blessings,
Bill