I will be going from Buffalo, NY to WA state and I would like to purchase a handgun along the way so I can protect myself during the trip. I am looking for a glock 23. I cannot purchase one in NY as i turn 21 2 days before i leave and the permit take 6-8 months. Would i be able to purchase a handgun in Wisconsin?

Handguns are not able to be transferred from a dealer to an out of state resident. You can buy one from a dealer in WI (If you find one that is willing to do it), but he must ship it to an FFL in your state for the actual transfer. What you can do is private purchase, but I don' t know of any private purchases listed.

In short, you will not be able ot buy one from a FFL outside of NY. Long guns yes, handguns no.

Quoted: Handguns are not able to be transferred from a dealer to an out of state resident. You can buy one from a dealer in WI (If you find one that is willing to do it), but he must ship it to an FFL in your state for the actual transfer. What you can do is private purchase, but I don' t know of any private purchases listed. In short, you will not be able ot buy one from a FFL outside of NY. Long guns yes, handguns no.

Couldn't even do a private purchase.

Why can't he do a private sale?

Say I visit a cousin in a different state and said cousin wishes to sell me a handgun. Why isn't such a private sale able to be done?

Quoted: Why can't he do a private sale? Say I visit a cousin in a different state and said cousin wishes to sell me a handgun. Why isn't such a private sale able to be done?

Per federal law, all FTF private sales are only legal between residents of the same state. Your cousin would need to ship the handgun to a FFL in your state, and that FFL would need to follow the handgun sales procedures in your state when transfering it to you (background checks, licenses/permits to purchase, waiting periods of your state would all apply).

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#b1

Quoted: I will be going from Buffalo, NY to WA state and I would like to purchase a handgun along the way so I can protect myself during the trip.

The big picture is that you can not "legally" protect yourself during the trip without a CCW permit recognized by all states along the way.   Many states have strict handgun posession laws.  Do yourself a favor and read the laws for each state which you are traveling through.  Buy yourself a 870, a 18" barrel  and a ATI top folding stock.  It will be equally "legally" accessble as handgun during the trip.    TAke a step back, look at all of your options, and do what you feel you have to do to protect yourself.  The only official answers you are going to get on the board are those regarding what is "legal".....

You cannot legally buy and receive  a pistol in a state other than NY, if you're a NY resident.