A man walks into a sporting goods store to buy a gun.

No, it’s not the opening line of a joke. It’s a true story. And it happens thousands of times a day in Pennsylvania.

Only this time, the man trying to buy a gun from the Ebensburg Fishing and Hunting store lied about his criminal record.

So, too, did a customer who attempted to purchase a firearm at Sporting Goods Discounters in Richland Township.

James Michael McIntyre of Altoona was the alleged buyer in July at the Ebensburg location.

According to state police, McIntyre did not disclose on his Pennsylvania Instant Check Systems that he had been convicted in 1995 for a burglary in Blair County and receiving stolen property in Cambria County.

Robert A. Daniels of the Coopersdale Homes in Johns-town attempted to purchase a gun in August from Sporting Goods Discounters in Richland Township.

He, also, was untruthful on his firearm application, failing to admit to convictions in 1994 and 1995 of receiving stolen property, a criminal complaint reads.

Lying to law enforcement authorities on a firearms application is a felony offense in Pennsylvania.

And compounding both men’s problems is that they will be charged with making false statements and disorderly conduct.

Gun laws in the Keystone State work. In 1998, the instant check system was implemented. It provides background information on anyone attempting to acquire a firearm. In 60 percent of the instances, approval of qualified buyers is granted within minutes.

The cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the sharing of information helps make the system work.

The background checks are serving Pennsylvania.