MovieChat Forums > Taxi Driver (1976) Discussion > Why doesn't Travis buy his guns legally?

Why doesn't Travis buy his guns legally?

posted 7 years ago by mikepr3
8 replies | jump to latest

Haven't seen this in a while, forgot if there's a reason.

[–] wdement 7 years ago

So he can't be incriminated if he kills someone with them. If he shoots someone with a legally bought gun, the rifling can be traced to that gun which was registered to his name.

[–] mikepr3 7 years ago

I'm not satisfied with that answer, no offense. His fellow cabbie hooked him up--so why doesn't HE buy his guns legally? What did he think was going on then? It's surely not cheaper.

[–] wdement 7 years ago

I don't know what there is to be dissatisfied about, if he kills someone with a gun registered in his name he is immediately a suspect, if he shoots someone with an unregistered or stolen gun then he can't be traced to the murder, as long as he doesn't leave any ither evidence.

[–] mikepr3 7 years ago

I didn't want you to elaborate on THAT. No answer for my follow-up questions?

[–] wrlord (1081) 4 years ago

It's New York. You cannot buy a gun legally.

[–] bobbydallas (8059) 4 years ago

it's no fun to buy anything legally tho

[–] Checkman (29) 4 years ago

Because buying a gun(s) from a black market dealer makers for better drama than going to a legitimate dealer and buying with the boring paperwork and so on.

[–] Adam60z (3749) 4 years ago

Gun laws were then and now are strict in NYC. I mean he could have gotten a license, etc., but his whole life was kind of underground. The simple reason is that it was his taxi buddy who set him up with that sleazy dealer. He probably didn't even know the procedure to do it legally. But obviously he had experience with guns having been in the Marines, and NYC crime had exploded in the 1970s, hence Death Wish and this film as realistic examples.