reSee.it Podcast Summary
Today's episode opens with a Gray Block Pizza pitch before Theo Von welcomes Nick Furlong, a gunsmith and outdoorsman he met at Turner's Outdoorsman in Torrance. Nick sold Theo two guns and describes the store’s California-legal inventory, background checks, and the rush of firearm purchases during the pandemic. He notes March 2020 had more background checks than any month in US history, with long lines and hundreds waiting outside, especially near LA.
The conversation covers who bought guns: mostly first-time buyers from diverse backgrounds, many seeking home defense as unrest loomed in LA, Watts, and other historic flashpoints. A frequent question: what should a new buyer get? Nick recommends polymer-frame striker-fired pistols for simplicity (Glock, Springfield XDS, S&W shields/SD nines) and California-compliant long guns, while outlining California’s microstamping roster rules, which require new semi-automatic handguns post-2013 to incorporate microstamping technology, a feature he says is impractical and easily worked around. He explains that some models, made before 2013, remain on the roster without micro stamping.
The 10-day waiting period for California purchases is often extended due to DOJ backlogs; buyers sometimes must wait even after the waiting period to clear background checks. California private-party transfers must go through a licensed dealer, and the store will collect a small fee while handling the paperwork, with a 10-day hold on the firearm.
Ethics and safety figures prominently: smell of marijuana can bar service; staff discuss whether to sell to fearful buyers. They emphasize training and responsible handling, noting that you can learn a lot about firearms online and through practice. FSC tests can be tricky; several questions are highlighted, including age limits, private party transfers, and magazine capacities. The pair also touch on police trade-ins, the used gun market, and the challenges of tracking firearms.
Beyond guns, Nick shares his passion for gunsmithing, military surplus, and customizing firearms—Beretta M9s, AR-15 lowers, and in-house Cerakote work. They discuss the 10-round California limit, the legality of extended magazines, and the thrill and risk of ownership. The chat winds down with anecdotes about diving, lobstering, and outdoor life, culminating in a shared sense that, with education and responsibility, firearms can be a safe hobby and tool. The episode closes with gratitude and mutual respect for the craft.