You know what bugs me, chummer? Political/Legal issues aside, guns are expensive. They would seem to be the privilege of the wealthy.
In the Americas, 1776, the cost of a musket would be a month's wage for a skilled workman... Never were cheap, but nowadays you'll find more affordable firearms for sale.
Like aimlessfreak, my brother bought a couple of firearms for obnoxiously cheap at a Big 5 sporting goods store (Bass Pro & Cabellas also sell used and consigned weapons). They sell plenty of 'left overs' from WW2, some of them still have attached bayonets, and they are more than capable of being put through the ringer. I guess it depends on what state you're in (if you're in the US), because it can cost more for bureaucracy than for the firearm. I bought a no bells and whistles Remington 870 Police when I was in California, and it shocked me how high the processing fees could get. I prefer to buy from the places that can do all their own work (repairs & custom), they tend to give discounts to repeat buyers, military, police, and bulk purchases.
If you're in Canada I can put you in touch with some locals, east coast, that can point you in the right direction for starting the legal hoops... Last I heard buying ammo took a fingerprint check, maybe that was just a regional thing?!