What's a good procedure for doing an FTF sale?

Once, I met up at an outfitter (Cabella's) and sent a pic that morning to the other party so he could find me. If I had a CPL and didn't have a toddler climbing all over me, I would've carried. My guess is he probably was, but didn't matter either way.

Another time, I went to the guy's house. I nearly just about didn't go through with it, since he wanted me to follow him to his gun bench in a far corner of the basement and my situational awareness was screaming at going that deep into someone else's house. I ended up going, but only because his kids were playing in the basement at the time. Backyard might have been cool, or kitchen right by door, but I would be wary of letting someone in my house, and I was wary about going into someone's house.

The problem with a public place is that one cannot usually inspect the goods without "brandishing." My first choice would be a gun club/range.

The one time I did this, we met in the parking lot of Gander Mountain off 249 in Houston. We had agreed to park far away from the store to avoid brandishing, and basically we stood by his SUV and compared pistols, traded, signed papers with name/address/etc just so we'd both have records, and that was it. He got my XD-40, I got a like-new BHP

And I took my husband and son with me.

Springmom

1) Club or Local FFL
2) Yes - whatever is legal in your state -
3) of course
4) Just whats required on the form

I would meet at somebody's house if and only if I knew the reputation of the seller/buyer.

Depends on your state and local laws

General rule that a shooting range is the best location.

jlbraun

Would you use a gun club to transact business and not tell them? That doesn't seem like a good idea. However, it might be cool to go to a range, pay for the time, and shoot the pistol a little bit that they were going to buy.

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Just to clarify - Club meaning - your local Gun club that your a member of. Not just a random shooting range.

Would you get any information about the seller?
Would you give any information to the seller about yourself?

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I've always wondered about that. Most of my guns were sold/transferred to me by FFLs therefore could be traced to me? Shouldn't we, under such circumstances, know who we're selling to?

This came up at the recent 4000 table Wannamacher show in Tulsa. The BATF prowls around (supposedly) looking for violations. Selling to someone from out of state is a violation. In order to be sure we're not selling to someone from out of state wouldn't you need to see his driver's license? Maybe have some kind of bill of sale?

Meeting at a gun range for a sale sounds like a good idea. I would never go to someone's house who I've never met before to buy or sell a gun, and would not want someone coming to my house either. Too many disreputable people these days to take the chance. At the range at least the gun can be test fired too.

As far as info goes, ask them if they are legal to buy/posess guns, not a felon, etc. I'd also note the info on their drivers license (name, address) to go with a written and signed bill of sale. I don't feel that the buyer needs any of my info beyond name, city & state, and maybe phone number or email address...

Depending on your state and local laws....

Go to a place where guns or gun types are common place. The Range sportsman warehous,cabellas etc. Meet in the parking lot work out of the back of an SUV or trunk.

Before the meeting I always ask them to have a copy of DL or CCP and a bill of sale with gun price serial# and description ready to go. Also work out the payment details ie. cash , USPS money order, or cashiers check have it ready.

Be confident not hinky, be friendly not creepy, and stay aware. If it dosnt feel right walk away.

Peace
Steel Talon

Here's what I use, I was bored and typed it up @ work awhile back. A few guys I've met asked to use it, it works fine for me.

erict Saved to my hard drive. Thanks. It's a good form!

Sorry it's so cruddy. I lost the original and I had to scan that one up just now.

I, too, have a Bill of Sale that I sometimes use when I do not know the seller. The only time I would buy from an unknown private seller without a Bill of Sale is at a gunshow, and then I trust my instincts.

Would you meet at your house? Not with an unknown seller.

Somewhere else? I have gone to the home of a friend of a friend. I do not consider them to be unknowns. (I have few friends, many acquaintances). I prefer to meet at a range. A range is good, because I usually want to shoot the gun first.

Would you carry to the sale? Open or concealed? I always carry. More importantly, I do not go alone.

Would you get any information about the seller? What's on the Bill of Sale.

Would you give any information to the seller about yourself? What's on the Bill of Sale.

When I first make contact I let the seller know we will be doing a Bill of Sale, and if they like, I will email or fax them a copy so they can see it before we meet. If they don't agree, no loss for me. If they agree, we deal. I check their ID just like I let them check mine. You will note that my Bill of Sale protects the seller as well as the buyer.

This is not too much different than making a deal on a car, livestock, a good dog, or other high dollar commodity.

Xavier's Bill of Sale/Transfer of Ownership

Meet them at a range. Test the gun. Give them money if you like it.

Optionally: look at CCW

Would you meet at your house? Somewhere else?

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My house? No. Their house? Sure. In fact, there's a THR member that has had me over twice to buy guns. Great guy, and I wish he'd put a couple more up for sale--I got smokin' good deals!

Would you carry to the sale? Open or concealed?

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Well, I'm not taking it OFF just to do a gun deal! On one particular occasion, on a multiple (over 10) gun deal that was going down in a parking lot, I put a good friend on overwatch with a rifle....but that's unusual.

Would you get any information about the seller?

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I only ask if they have a concealed weapon permit. Maybe twice, when it felt a little hinky, I actually asked to see it.

Would you give any information to the seller about yourself?

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Other than flashing my CWP? Never.

Saturday I will be meeting someone at a local gun store, proceeding to the range nearby and then back to the store to finish the deal if it goes that far.

I think it is irrelevant whether I carry or not.

I will give the seller/trader as much informations as he/she requires for a receipt one is requested.

All pistol transfers will be through my friendly FFL.

Erict...do you ever find resistance to someone giving up their driver's license number?

Hokkmike

I hardly ever use it actually. I only have it "just incase" and use it if the other person insists (some people are sticklers in these situations). I do not give out my address on a form because I'm not comfortable with that. If I have a DL # at least the police will know what to do with it if it ever came to that. It is legal in TN to cash & carry pretty much (as long as you believe the other party has no malicious intent) since we have no registration.

I've bought 20 or so firearms in this manner and have only used that form 4 or 5 times. Most folks I've dealt with were long term upstanding members from here, Glocktalk, etc. and I had no reason to believe they had bad intentions to begin with.

Here's one better for printing. I get a little bored here at work sometimes...

The 2 I've been involved with have been with friends. Paid cash, traded no info since we knew how to find one another.

One transaction was done in the parking lot after church; the other at the office my other friend worked at.