Always meet strangers in a public place if you are doing a private sale.

[Praxidike]

Hey, I like the idea of using the parking lot to the gun range. But those of you who use the police station parking lot, can you tell me how that usually works out, and do you notify the police what you up to?

Gun Shop Robbery Suspects Still on the Loose

Gunman shoots patron, steals 6 firearms in Northeast gun-shop robbery

A Bonnie and Clyde pair of armed bandits robbed two men and shot one outside a Far Northeast gun shop and range Thursday night, making off with seven stolen firearms and leaving one of the victims critically wounded.

What good is being outside in the parking lot of a gun shop going to do? Not much you can do while a gun is pointed at you, and by the time the thieves run off, and you notify and explain what just happened, they'd have been well on their way. There's just not to many safe ways to make a ftf transfer.

Man & two boys arrested in gun store robbery

"Three masked suspects entered Hiram's Guns Store at 660 S. Magnolia Ave. about 2:09 p.m. and one of the suspects held an employee at gunpoint while the other two smashed a display case with a hammer and took several handguns," El Cajon Police Lt. Rob Ransweiler said. "The suspects fled the area in a red sedan."

Don't think that you're safe or let your guard down just because you're near OR inside of a gunshop...

 

[bikerdoc]

But those of you who use the police station parking lot, can you tell me how that usually works out, and do you notify the police what you up to?

Ya, you walk in and tell them. and usually I know the officer and his family(small town)

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

I'm sure it has been safely done many more times than not - transferring firearms FtF with unknown parties arranged via The 'Net. I have moved along a few guns recently and the very first was proposed as an FtF to save money in shipping and handling and in FFL transfer fees. I declined that and sold the gun via my personal method - I make the arrangement/deal with the buyer and then take the gun to my LGS/FFL/Range. They have a web presence and a brick and mortar establishment, NRA certified instructors, etc. They have credibility and have established a reputation for honesty and square dealing.

I have my buyers tell their local FFL to coordinate with my Good Guys. The buyer sends me a USPS Money Order and I pay my FFL to ship to the buyers FFL. The FFL's coordinate and when they call my FFL they get told and reassured that they can't get cheated as *they* ( the local FFL) have the gun and it's boxed before the buyer even sends the check. And if someone cheats someone there is a USPS Money Order involved.....all one party has to do is call the US Postal Service and tell them they have been defrauded using the US Postal Service and there *will* be an investigation and it will begin quickly.

This makes it easy and relieves all parties of the 21st century problem of getting screwed, robbed, cheated, or having parties have to drive 2 hours to meet with someone they don't know to do an FtF and save maybe $30. I understand the FtF deal with inexpensive gun transfers.

But I'm a big fan of making it stupid simple by insisting on no FtF's, only USPS Money Orders, and shipping to/from FFL's...I pay the shipping in return for the buyer not getting to dictate the terms of the deal. Simple safe and effective so far for me. I have managed to move the pieces I want to move to interested parties and it has been simple and safe. I realize not everyone wants to play this game and may prefer the Good 'ol Boy method of FtF but as this thread indicates sometimes you really don't wanna meet some of these folks.

VooDoo

 

[orionengnr]

My local, FTF transactions are with people who, like myself, have a CHL.
Eliminates a lot of unnecessary stress for all concerned.

 

[Working Man]

Other than gun shows and websites the only strangers I have bought from or sold to have been High Road members (usual CHL holders). This gives me a chance to review their posts and get a feel for the person before a transaction is agreed upon.

That being said I do prefer public places. I usually select a sporting good store parking lot just to cut down on the chance of someone seeing the transaction and overreacting to it. There are a few members I have had multiple contacts with and would have no issue at this point going to their home or having them in mine, or at the very least sitting in one of our vehicles out of the heat during the transaction.

 

[MyGreenGuns]

My last trade was done in a sporting goods parking lot.

When the guy showed up he asked, "Been waitin' long?"

"Not too long, we've only been here 5 minutes." I lied, I was alone.

He scanned the parking lot and met eyes with an older guy sitting in a pickup nearby. I'm sure he thought this guy was with me.

As we looked over the others prospective trade he asked why I picked this spot to meet.

Without looking up, I pointed above us and said, "You're on camera!"

 

[threefeathers]

In a public place and with a friend who has a gun.

 

[clg114]

I like to buy from a private party because I get the best deals that way. I have bought a few at a home, but they usually want to meet at a public place. I like Wal-Mart because it's always bright and there's lots of people. I try to take one of my sons with me and have them stay in the truck. There is always a gun in the truck. When I am selling I always take it to the local internet auction. They have a FFL, so I do not have to worry about the buyer and they usually sell for a little more than I would have asked.

 

[huntsman]

The parking lot of a fast-food joint, preferably next to a freeway.

 

[MachIVshooter]

For firearms transactions in years passed, I usually did meet strangers in public places. Not so much because I was worried, but because it was more convenient for me to meet them after work while I was still in town than bugger up my whole evening waiting for them to show. People tend to be more punctual about a public meet.

However, I've been running my business from my property for several years now, and though I haven't sold firearms other than to friends, I have sold a great many other things, from motor vehicles to tools to RC cars and so on. Usually I require that the prospective buyer come here, as my business and family life keep me on the premises about 163 of the 168 hours in a week (not an exaggeration, sadly). The flip side to that is there are virtually no opportunities to burgle the place and, once they've been here, their face, build, license plates/make/model/color of vehicle are all recorded from several angles by no less than 3 of the 8 cameras I have in position.

Is there still a risk? Sure, but I feel it's pretty low. Cameras & the two big dogs are a deterrent, I'm not an ideal target for an assault from a physical standpoint, I'm always armed, I'm home literally 98% of the time, and even my closest friends can't tell if I'm gone just by evaluating vehicles in the drive, lights on or off, etc.

 

[taliv]

i bought a machine gun in the disney parking lot in orlando.
sold my belt fed machine gun in a gas station in texas
all the $3k+ optics i've sold have been in gas stations in TN and OH

i probably ought to be a bit more careful

 

[Potatohead]

"Meeting at the gun range" does not insure much extra safety IMO. Their have been several news reports about folks getting robbed in range parking lots in the last few yrs.

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

I always do FTF gun sales at a range. Usually, on a range day when all of my friends are there armed to the teeth. In addition to the security concerns, it also allows the buyer to check out the wares. More often than not it is a chance to make a new friend and swap stories.

For ammo, components etc., I'll usually do it in the courtyard outside my office building at lunchtime. It is swarming with people, including cops/federal types who stop in for lunch.

Also, it is not too difficult to pick up some scam artists. Almost everyone has an internet presence of some sort. Especially dirt-bags, dirt-bags have always been dirt-bags so they will likely pop up on mugshots.com or will have been sued. You can also order background checks starting at $6. It's cheap insurance on a $1,000 deal, also its a cheap way to avoid wasting time.

With regards to sales through the mail, it only takes 30 seconds to go to the local property appraisers website and see if the person you are communicating with owns the address where you are sending payment.

 

[Kleanbore]

You can also order background checks starting at $6. It's cheap insurance on a $1,000 deal, also its a cheap way to avoid wasting time.

Excellent idea.

 

[rondog]

Probably 90% of my guns came from FTF private sales.

 

[tepin]

My local PD says Target parking lot is best because they have top end security cameras.

 

[riceboy72]

I've done a number of FTF transactions over the past few years, and have a pretty regimented way of doing it each time that works for me.

Once interest has been established via email, I make it a point to talk to the buyer on the phone before we meet. From this, I establish the buyer's interest level and how sincere they are, and I gauge whether or not we will meet based upon how our talk goes. I am not interested in selling to someone who does not talk in full sentences, talks like a thug, or says things that cause me to be suspicious. This also allows me to set up the meeting point which I'll usually choose as a mutual location that works for both of us; a few times, buyers have flaked out based upon location alone, so this saves me a wasted trip.

I leave the contact information I have with my wife on the day of the meet. When the buyer pulls into the lot, I text her the license of the buyer's vehicle just in case it doesn't go well and she doesn't hear from me again. My other rule of thumb when I am the buyer is that I don't purchase guns that don't have the original case, and this is just a personal rule that I follow. In my experience from my career, when people's homes are burglarized or their vehicles prowled with guns taken, the bad guy typically does not have or take the case with them. Of course, that's no guarantee that the gun is not stolen and I'm sure I've missed out on a few great deals because of it, but again, just a personal nag that I follow.

Buyers must also have a valid driver's license and CPL for our state. I don't need to write anything down; I just want to glance at them and make sure you are who you say you are.

I've had success in my FTF deals and have only been stiffed once, but he called and flaked out before I left my house so no harm / no foul. I haven't done a FTF in over a year now since I'm pretty content with what I have, but when I do my next deal, I'll follow my personal rules again as it makes me feel safer and gives me better peace of mind.

 

[HB]

Only sold one gun Ftf but it was in public and during daylight. The same with all other deals. Bringing a friend is a must, even better if you can have him in a seperate car. You never know who will show up to meet you. Even if you are selling an xbox, sadly there's a lot of people that would rather punch you in the jaw than fork over 100 bucks.

 

[Arizona_Mike]

I'm partial to Walmart parking lots because they are bristling with cameras.

Mike

 

[BigLar]

I've bought most of mine FTF. I always figured the less times I had a NICS run on me, the better (not for any nefarious reasons, more of a principled thing).

Most times, I've simply gone to the sellers home. A couple of times, I've asked to meet at a mutually agreed upon range. Partially for security, but I also wanted to fire the weapon to make sure it was what I wanted.

I don't know, I really think I'm more worried about buying a subpar/damaged item than being robbed outright.

I don't bother with craigslist for anything anymore. I've had about 50% ripoff rate on items (not firearms) there.

 

[Blue Brick]

I use the police station parking lot also.

+ 1

 

[Warp]

That's the last place I'd want to be handling a firearm. You might get some unwanted attention.

I just meet in some public parking lot convenient to both of us.

Location is a difference maker.

Around here a private transaction of a firearm in a police parking lot is not a problem. Why should it be?

When meeting people for firearms sales I've used Walmart, Publix (grocery store), McDonalds, and KFC. All during the day in a 'good area'.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

In a public place and with a friend who has a gun.

Do you position the friend where the other party can see them as a deterrent or do you have him providing overwatch from a nearby rooftop?

 

[Warp]

Do you position the friend where the other party can see them as a deterrent or do you have him providing overwatch from a nearby rooftop?

Both options have their merits.

 

[AirForceShooter]

+1 on Wal-Mart and Target.
But I've sold in my garage and met others in their garages.
Did one sale at a rest area on I-75.
Best was in a LEO parking lot. LEO came over to see what was up and asked if I wanted him to run the gun to see if it was stolen. Told both of us if we ever wanted to sell a gun feel free to come in or just come bye and see if ant of the LEO's wanted to buy it.

Florida is so damn cool

AFS