You shouldn't be looking at gars now that you've seen this thread. I won't bash you for opening it, but I would just hope you take it as a lesson. Local fish stores in California sell gars even though they aren't supposed to, probably because there is no accountability on such a small-store level.
What you have to realize is by supporting illegal fish in your state you are hampering honest and good importers and exporters such as Wes and others, who have to deal with USFW and their strict policies (which, from what I've come to understand in Cali sometimes borders on harrassment). Someone is bringing in illegal fish and it is hurting the ebb and flow of our great hobby for other people.
Don't support it!