To apparently demonstrate how a law abiding citizen can purchase a firearm, CBS went to a gun store in Alexandria Virginia during Thursday’s Evening News. “A CBS news producer went to a gun store in Alexandria, just outside of Washington, DC,” reported Kris van Cleave in a whispered tone as if it was a secret. And what they discovered was quite shocking to behold:
Per Virginia law, she provided a driver's license and voter ID card to prove residency as well as her passport to show U.S. Citizenship. She filled out these federal and state forms requiring her name, date of birth, social security number, and a few basic questions about any past criminal activity or current restraining orders. She also pass a brief electronic background check.
38 minutes and $1,030 for her to walk out of the store legally armed with this rifle, 100 rounds of ammunition, and a 30-round magazine.
Cleave seemed completely surprised that an upstanding citizen, with no criminal history, could freely exercise their constitutional right to keep and bear arms. He was also shocked by how many states did not have waiting periods for purchasing firearms. “Virginia is one of 41 states with no waiting period beyond the background check,” he stated.
The report also featured Adam Winkler, a professor from the University of California Los Angeles, who ridiculed the nation’s varying gun laws. “Our patchwork quilt of gun laws is destined to be ineffective,” Winkler declared.
As if to put an end to fears that they were planning to go on a killing spree, Cleave calmly informed the viewers, “The gun we legally purchased was transferred to a federally licensed firearm dealer and weapons instructor, according to Virginia law. Scott, the gun was only in our possession for a couple of hours.”
CBS's This Morning also covered their not-so-illicit purchase.
Transcript below:
CBS
Evening News
June 16, 2016
6:48:12 PM EasternSCOTT PELLEY: None of the killers in mass shootings of recent years have had any trouble in obtaining their weapons. In most states, buying guns is quick and easy as Kris van Cleave shows us.
[Cuts to video]
KRIS VAN CLEAVE: In Virginia, where the Virginia Tech shootings killed 32 people, there is no waiting period to purchase a firearm including handguns and so-called assault rifles similar to those used in Orlando and San Bernardino. A CBS news producer went to a gun store in Alexandria, just outside of Washington, DC.
CBS PRODUCER: I would like to buy an AR-15.
CLEAVE: Per Virginia law, she provided a driver's license and voter ID card to prove residency as well as her passport to show U.S. Citizenship. She filled out these federal and state forms requiring her name, date of birth, social security number, and a few basic questions about any past criminal activity or current restraining orders. She also pass a brief electronic background check.
CBS PRODUCER: Did this all go through?
GUN STORE SALES MAN: That it did. You’ve been approved.
CLEAVE: 38 minutes and $1,030 for her to walk out of the store legally armed with this rifle, 100 rounds of ammunition, and a 30-round magazine. Adam Winkler researches gun laws at UCLA.
ADAM WINKLER: Well, it seems so easy to get firearms because it is easy to get firearms. We have a right to bear arms in this country and that means you have a right not only to have a gun but a right to purchase one if you want to have one, too.
CLEAVE: Virginia is one of 41 states with no waiting period beyond the background check. Four states and Washington, DC impose a waiting period on all firearms. Minnesota requires a week-long wait for handguns and assault weapons. Four other states, including Florida, have a waiting period for handguns.
WINKLER: Our patchwork quilt of gun laws is destined to be ineffective.
CLEAVER: Larry Pratt of Gun Owners of America wants fewer laws restricting gun ownership.
LARRY PRATT: We need to make it so the good guys are able to act immediately when a bad guy strikes. To have to call police and wait five minute, 10 minutes, is to wait to die.
[Cuts back to video]
CLEAVE: The gun we legally purchased was transferred to a federally licensed firearm dealer and weapons instructor, according to Virginia law. Scott, the gun was only in our possession for a couple of hours.
