Chapter 837 It doesn’t count if you don’t pay

Xiao Peng held up the oversized check, bewildered. "Did I really steal the bounty hunter's job?" "Now, all my expenses in Atlantic City are covered, and I've even made a killing!"

There was warm applause at the scene.

Mayor Mathis said with a smile, "Dear guests, you are all the backbone of Atlantic City's development. Atlantic City's current development is inseparable from your joint efforts. We love our city. If everyone dares to fight against criminals like Mr. Xiao, our Atlantic City will surely become the pearl of the entire East Coast of the United States!"

There were cheers at the scene, but Xiao Peng was too tired to complain. He spoke as if you had done something wrong.

Mayor Mattis continued, "The FBI has just commended Mr. Xiao, and we in Atlantic City will also express our appreciation. First of all, I hereby announce that Mr. Xiao is officially awarded the title of Honorary Citizen of Atlantic City. No matter what, Mr. Xiao will always be welcome in Atlantic City!"

Honorary citizen of Atlantic City? What does that mean? Will I be able to enter and leave Atlantic City freely from now on?

Damn! International flights from Atlantic City all transfer through cities like New York, so what's the point of giving me this so-called honorary citizenship? Don't I still need a visa?

Mayor Mattis was still talking when the etiquette lady beside him brought another box. Mattis said to Xiao Peng, "Mr. Xiao, this is a personal gift from me to you as a friendship souvenir."

Xiao Peng handed the giant check to the etiquette lady next to him and took the box that Matisse handed to him: "What is this? It's quite heavy!"

After Xiao Peng opened the box and saw what was inside, he shook his head and said, "Mayor Mattis, I appreciate your kindness, but I cannot accept this gift."

"Why?" Mattis was stunned after hearing this and took something out of the box. "This is a Colt M1917 revolver. My grandfather took it to the Pacific Theater, and my father took it to Vietnam. It's not a good gun and the price is not high, but it is indeed a witness to history. I noticed that you didn't have a weapon to defend yourself when you were mugged. I hope this gun can keep you safe in the future."

Xiao Peng shook his head like a rattle. "Mayor Mattis, I really can't accept this gift. First of all, it's a family heirloom. Secondly... I don't have a gun license in the US, so I'm not eligible to own a gun here. My mother taught me, 'Don't eat anything poisonous, don't do anything illegal,' so I really can't accept this gun."

After hearing what Xiao Peng said, Matisse clapped his hands vigorously, and the audience burst into applause.

Mathis said, "Mr. Xiao's mother is very good at educating her children. If all parents educate their children in this way, our social security will only get better and better... But Mr. Xiao, don't worry. The fact that I can give you this gift certainly means that this matter is not illegal. Inspector Heath, am I right?"

Inspector Heath on the side nodded and said, "Mr. Xiao, what Mayor Mathis said is indeed correct."

Xiao Peng was stunned: "It's not illegal to have a gun without a license?"

Inspector Heath said, "You should know that in our country, legal gun ownership is managed by the Bureau of Tobacco, Alcohol, Explosives, and Explosives, also known as the ATF. According to ATF regulations, if you want to legally purchase a gun, you need to undergo a background check. Only those who pass the check can legally purchase a gun."

Xiao Peng nodded: "I know this, that's why I said it's illegal for me to carry a gun."

Inspector Heath continued, "The ATF also has regulations prohibiting the private sale of guns, known as 'grass buying.' This means I can't sell you a gun I legally own. This prevents people who aren't originally eligible from purchasing a gun. Of course, this is difficult to prevent. Many people in our country who don't have guns have purchased their guns from legal owners. If you're caught doing this, it's a serious criminal offense."

Xiao Peng nodded and said, "That's a very reasonable explanation. There's nothing wrong with doing this. It's indeed beneficial to public security. So I can't take this gun anymore."

Inspector Heath then responded, "But the problem is this: The Second Amendment to the Constitution clearly states: The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. In other words, gun ownership in our country is a fundamental human right that requires no special privileges. Therefore, the government cannot investigate and register people's gun ownership. Therefore, the ATF can only conduct background checks on gun buyers and cannot systematically archive gun records. Only major gun dealers have their own dealer records. Even if the FBI wants to investigate the gun background of a suspect in a gun case, we need court authorization to obtain the records from the gun dealer."

Xiao Peng was completely bewildered. "Inspector Heath, I'm getting more and more confused the more I listen. Does this have anything to do with this gun?"

Heath explained: "The ATF restricts 'grab and go' but not 'gift'. In other words, if I sell you my gun, it's illegal, but if I give it to you, it's fine."

Xiao Peng was dumbfounded after hearing this: "There's such a bizarre law? Why does this remind me of the classic line from the movie 'Justice, My Foot'? 'If I don't pay, it doesn't count as selling.'"

Heath spread his hands. "In fact, we at the FBI hate this law too. After all, we're in great danger when facing armed criminals. But the law is the law, and we must obey it. So, Mr. Xiao, you can confidently accept Mayor Mattis's gift. It's legal!"

Before Xiao Peng could express his opinion, Mayor Mattis announced loudly, "Friends here, Mr. Xiao is a billionaire! He has countless ways to legally own a gun, but you can see that he strictly abides by the laws of our country, which is something many of us can't do! If everyone could be as strict with themselves as Mr. Xiao, we would never have to worry about public security again! I am honored to have a good friend like Mr. Xiao in Atlantic City! Let us once again give Mr. Xiao a warm round of applause!"

What could Xiao Peng say after hearing what they said? He could only accept the "Honorary Citizen" certificate from Mayor Mattis and show it to everyone, and the old gun was once again filled with warm applause.

Seeing this, Mathis said loudly, "Well, now it's time for Mr. Xiao to feel the hospitality of us Atlantic City people! The music starts! The cocktail party officially begins!"

Xiao Peng finally waited for these words. "Can we eat now?" The dignified salvage king, Xiao Peng, starved to death? That would be a huge joke!