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Ever since President Obama claimed last year that it was easier to buy a firearm than it was to buy a book or fresh vegetable in some neighborhoods, lefty reporters have been trying to test that theory out.

The terrorist attack at an Orlando gay nightclub a week ago Sunday prompted one enterprising journalist to have a go at it — and he failed miserably.

Writing of his experience for the Chicago Sun-Times, Neil Steinberg walked into a Des Plaines gun dealer and was first confronted with Chicago’s draconian gun laws.

“I had trouble even figuring out whether bringing an assault rifle into Chicago is legal. The Internet was contradictory,” he wrote. It’s interesting here that he used the term “assault rifle,” while later admitting that it’s a misnomer. “AR” actually stands for Armalite rifle, the firm that developed the weapon.

“I found that Illinois has a 24-hour waiting period between buying and taking possession of a gun,” Steinberg continued. “Unearthing that fact alone made the exercise seem worthwhile. I was learning something.”

After examining several makes of America’s most popular rifle, the AR-15, Steinberg eventually settled on a Smith & Wesson M&P Sport II. Then he butted heads with Illinois’ gun laws.

He was asked to present his Illinois Firearm Owners Identification, or FOID card, which identifies those residents who may legally possess firearms or ammunition.

Making no further mention of it, he was apparently prepared for that one, and it was time to ring up the sale.

“When it came time to make the purchase, Rob, the clerk with the tattoos, handed me over to Mike, who gave his name shaking my hand, I gave mine” Steinberg wrote.

His cover was blown at that point.

“‘The writer?’ he said. If I wanted to lie as part of my job, I’d have gone into public relations. ‘Yes,’ I said, explaining that I plan to buy the gun, shoot at their range, then give it to the police. He suggested I sell it back to them instead and I heartily agreed. Economical. If they would let me photograph myself with it there, the gun need never leave the store.”

It took about an hour to fill out the paperwork, some of the time taken up by chit-chat between Sternberg and the clerk. He was supposed to pick up his purchase the next day.

“I was looking forward to shooting my new rifle the next day. I’ve shot guns. It’s fun,” he said, then added guiltily, “I was worried though, about having fun with guns in the current environment of outrage and horror.”

But it didn’t work out for him quite as expected.

“At 5:13, Sarah from Maxon called. They were canceling my sale and refunding my money. No gun for you. I called back. Why? ‘I don’t have to tell you,’ she said. I knew that, but was curious. I wasn’t rejected by the government? No. So what is it? ‘I’m not at liberty,’ she said.”

After a bit more prodding, Steinberg learned the reason.

“A few hours later, Maxon sent the newspaper a lengthy statement, the key part being: ‘it was uncovered that Mr. Steinberg has an admitted history of alcohol abuse, and a charge for domestic battery involving his wife.’”

And that put an end to that.

Speaking to students at Benedict College in March, 2015, Obama suggested it was easier to buy a gun than a fresh vegetable. Steinberg just knocked that statement to shreds.

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Michael Dorstewitz

Mike has been with BizPac Review almost from the beginning. Follow him on Twitter at @MikeBPR.

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