A FFL ( Federal Firearms License ) is required of all gun dealers in the US. The loophole is "gun shows" where "private parties" and "collectors" can sell and trade - which is more a state level issue. But to order a gun on line for example you have to have it ordered by and shipped through somebody with a FFL ( they are responsible for the paperwork ) For things like automatic weapons you have to go through a FFL Class III ( if I remember correctly ) who ensure you are law enforcement etc. ( John would know a lot more than I about all of that )

The other exception is criminals, who are exempt from both federal and state regulation and who may purchase any type of firearm without restriction or paperwork. ( I believe this is similar to both Canadian and EU regulation )

>>>I never said it would be easy. And in fact, I doubt it could be done that way. First there has to be a concerted effort to change the culture into a less gun-totin' mentality. Small steps at first, like maybe decent gun ownership regulations. Before I'm allowed to operate a car, I have to be tested. AFAIK, no such deal on guns (at least not everywhere in the country, or on every kind of gun). Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm not aware that there is any sort of standardisation in the rules around gun ownership in the U.S. Pretty much any bozo with a wallet can buy a gun.
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>>Not really accurate, but not far from the truth. After a police background check:
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>>http://www.grnc.org/firearms.htm
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>>Some states are stricter some are not. This has to do withe the individual power and legislation of the state. They can add to but not take from federal law...
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>But do all legitimate gun dealers have to be federally licensed? If not, then this means very little because it is very specific in that it applies to federally licensed gun dealers.