Horsedoc wrote:
You can certainly do this, but you cannot take possession of them.
The above is certainly true in regards to handguns, unless you happen to be a resident of the state you purchase them in. Long guns/rifles may be a different story as many states allow out-of-state residents to purchase them and take possession... but you need to make sure they are legal to own in NY. One additional thing you need to be aware of are the federal and state laws prohibiting 'straw' purchases. 'Gifting' is not generally considered a 'straw' purchase provided it is disclosed at the time of purchase.
Should you acquire one or more guns while on your trip out west, they can be legally transported across the U.S. under the Federal Firearm Owners' Protection Act...
18 USC § 926A - Interstate transportation of firearms wrote:
Notwithstanding any other provision of any law or any rule or regulation of a State or any political subdivision thereof, any person who is not otherwise prohibited by this chapter from transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm shall be entitled to transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm to any other place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm if, during such transportation the firearm is unloaded, and neither the firearm nor any ammunition being transported is readily accessible or is directly accessible from the passenger compartment of such transporting vehicle: Provided, That in the case of a vehicle without a compartment separate from the driver’s compartment the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console.
