Is it a longer process to adopt a pet than buying a shotgun or rifle? Eyewitness News investigates
By: Chelsea Rarrick
Updated: December 19, 2012
Looking for a pistol license in New York State? That will take you about six months.
But, planning to buy a shotgun or rifle? You can go to your local gun shop and walk out with one within the hour, without a license.
"There needs to be a change," said Nastassia Mateo of Utica.
"Most of the people in the state that buy guns like that use them strictly for hunting. They have no malice or anything in mind," said Walter Mayers
Eyewitness News contacted several local gun shops to find out what it takes to buy a shotgun or rifle.
The ones we talked to declined to do an interview.
But, we did talk to an area gun seller who says an interested application must fill out a form with an associate giving their background information.
It's sent to NICS for a background check and if everything clears, the process can be done within 15 minutes or up to 30 days.
So with that information, we decided to compare that process to adopting a dog or cat at the Stevens-Swan Humane Society.
And the minimal process for adopting?
"Normally we tell people it takes 24 to 48 hours to process an adoption application. If an individual that's by themselves that owns their own home and gets clearance from the landlord, then that can probably go through as quick as an hour," said Jerry Kraus of the Stevens-Swan Humane Society.
The shelter keeps a record of all the pets adopted.
According to state law for shotguns and rifles, no registration is required.
Nor is a license required to buy them.
But by state law, owners must license their dog.
"Ridiculous, that's what I think," said Mateo
"When they go to adopt a pet you have to call the landlord and call the people, which takes more time then going on the computer, keying in your name, social security number, getting your background that way," said Mayers.
Eyewitness News did speak with the Assistant Pistol License Officer in Oneida County again on Wednesday, he does emphasizes that the FBI does do a background check looking for any criminal history.
But when it comes to both processes, buying a shotgun or rifle can be done within 15 minutes, where the process for adopting a dog or cat takes at least at hour.
But, planning to buy a shotgun or rifle? You can go to your local gun shop and walk out with one within the hour, without a license.
"There needs to be a change," said Nastassia Mateo of Utica.
"Most of the people in the state that buy guns like that use them strictly for hunting. They have no malice or anything in mind," said Walter Mayers
Eyewitness News contacted several local gun shops to find out what it takes to buy a shotgun or rifle.
The ones we talked to declined to do an interview.
But, we did talk to an area gun seller who says an interested application must fill out a form with an associate giving their background information.
It's sent to NICS for a background check and if everything clears, the process can be done within 15 minutes or up to 30 days.
So with that information, we decided to compare that process to adopting a dog or cat at the Stevens-Swan Humane Society.
And the minimal process for adopting?
"Normally we tell people it takes 24 to 48 hours to process an adoption application. If an individual that's by themselves that owns their own home and gets clearance from the landlord, then that can probably go through as quick as an hour," said Jerry Kraus of the Stevens-Swan Humane Society.
The shelter keeps a record of all the pets adopted.
According to state law for shotguns and rifles, no registration is required.
Nor is a license required to buy them.
But by state law, owners must license their dog.
"Ridiculous, that's what I think," said Mateo
"When they go to adopt a pet you have to call the landlord and call the people, which takes more time then going on the computer, keying in your name, social security number, getting your background that way," said Mayers.
Eyewitness News did speak with the Assistant Pistol License Officer in Oneida County again on Wednesday, he does emphasizes that the FBI does do a background check looking for any criminal history.
But when it comes to both processes, buying a shotgun or rifle can be done within 15 minutes, where the process for adopting a dog or cat takes at least at hour.
