How do you sell a gun?

[kcshooter]

As long as the buyer had what appears to be a valid in-state DL or CHL, I do the deal.

How do you know the buyer is who he says he is? If he's a prohibited person and he agrees to sign a BOS, how do you know he doesn't have fake ID?

This seems contradictory.

I still believe that, in order to prevent any possible headaches in the future, a bill of sale, preferably notarized, is a good idea. The firearm's serial number was originally recorded in my name when my FFL ran me thru the NICS system. If it's no longer in my possession, I want to be able to prove it if need be.

I wouldn't sell to someone who refused to sign a bill of sale. I'd suspect there was something fishy going on and pack my gun up and take it home, or put my wallet away as a buyer. Don't like it? Too bad. It's my choice.

I know it isn't required by law, I don't see anyone saying that it was, but it is required for my peace of mind. YMMV.

 

[oneounceload]

preferably notarized

WHAT? You don't even do that for a car.......get REAL

Do you do the same for a lawn mower or some golf clubs?

People seem to want to make up a LOT of BS worrisome scenarios - if FTF is legal where you live, offer gun, settle on price, take cash, say goodbye - just like you would do with anything else you might find at a garage sale or flea market - STOP making this more complicated and harder than it needs to be, or the antis will just make sure EVERY single gun-related transaction has to go through a FFL - for ANYTHING

 

[kcshooter]

Again, you do what you want, I'll do what I want.

It's my gun. Don't like it? Don't buy it.

 

[Ignition Override]

The seller with the SKS met me in the rear McDonald's parking lot in a small town, about 11:00, 2008; it was my first FTF transaction.
My Mini 14 was sold in the front parking lot (edge) of a Kroger.
These first two transactions were in very small southern towns.

The Mini 30 was sold in a fairly narrow parking lot, between a Walmart and Sam's Club, in a southern city.

Only the seller (first FTF deal) asked me to sign a small form.
As a seller, I have zero interest in creating personal "red tape"; the highly over-bloated ATF might try to justify part of its existence by creating red tape.

 

[mgkdrgn]

Hey everyone, I have been thinking about selling my AR-15 lately and I was just curious how most of you guys go about it. I have never sold a gun before so I really dont know the best way to do it. Obviously I dont want to meet at my house and I would expect the same for the buyer so do you meet somewhere in town? I've been thinking about that but thought it might look odd to some people to pull an "assault rifle" out in a parking lot. There aren't any gun ranges in town either, so how would you go about it?

P.S. Person to person transfers are legal here

It's for just this reason that I do consignment sales ... so maybe an FFL in your local area does the same.

They do all the work, you don't have anyone at your house, phone calls all hours of the day and night ... for WEEKS after the guns is sold, and you know the person that ends up with it is legally able to purchase a gun.

 

[DesertFox]

postalnut25 has my general mode of operation:

I don't sell guns- I accumulate guns.

When I do cull off something, it is not usually to a stranger. More often than not, it is a good friend or family member who bugs me about a 10/22 I let them shoot, then they want to buy.

In fact, I can only recall selling one piece to someone who wasn't at least an acquaintance.

I also love to trade.

 

[Arp32]

Only two times I sold to a stranger, I asked to meet in a busy parking lot. Cash, bill of sale, handed over the gun. Worked out fine for me.

 

[orionengnr]

Most of the time, I sell to or buy from a fellow CHL holder (on the state CHL forum).
I show him my CHL, he shows me his. We both know that we are dealing with honest, law-abiding citizens. We exchange goods/cash and go on our way.

 

[Salty1]

If I sell a personal gun I meet at my house, first of all I would not sell to a total stranger, most people on forums who have multiple posts are stand up people and if somebody feels that they could show up at my house and "rip me off" then I hope they have arrange transportation out to the nearest hospital. IMO meeing somebody in a parking lot has too much risk. You can tell the type of person you are dealing with by the messages you exchange and talking on the phone. If one has any doubt at all then walk away. Personally I have sold many guns in private sales and the people have all been great, now if you want to advertise on craigslist then you are dealing with that type of person who may not be above board. Common sense and instinct are your best friend, use them wisely

 

[Jeff F]

I figure out how much I want for it and then find someone willing to pay that price. Then I sell it to them as long as they are a resident of my state. If they are not a resident of my state it goes through an FFL and they pay all fees.

 

[tarosean]

Place ad on local TX gun sales site. - at a lower price - I want it gone not sitting on a site for weeks

meet with individual. parking lot at Lowes or Home depot if I go to the "big" city. My home if its local

Ask for ID - age and residency (I can no longer tell how old some people are.. kids that look like teens to me end up being 25+ LOL)

take cash from buyer..

DONE.

 

[JSpear]

I don't sell, but I have bought many used, i usually meet somewhere public, I've done a lot of deals at my workplace (always off the clock, company is anti gun), anywas, I don't have an issue with signing a bill of sale, if it makes the guy I'm getting it from feel better about the transaction then so be it.

 

[USAF_Vet]

Downtown, late at night in the alley behind the crack house.

Or in my kitchen, in the parking lot outside work, or the LGS.

 

[Captains1911]

All you had to say was "I sold it."

There is no federal law requiring a private party to keep any records.

You're right, but it didn't hurt a thing, and i was happy to be able to provide as much info as I could regarding the sale, especially because the rifle was transferred to me. I would never do it any other way. The federal officers were also very appreciative that I had the record.

For a scenario like mine, why the hell would anybody not want to have a record????

 

[22-rimfire]

You can sell through your local newspaper classified ads. I assume you want to sell to a resident of your state. There are state related gun forums which allow you to place an ad in there For Sale section. You should probably take some pictures and at least have them available to send via email to interested parties. Just state you will only sell to a XYZ state resident.

You can also sell via consignment through a local gun shop that does consignments.

 

[brickeyee]

For a scenario like mine, why the hell would anybody not want to have a record????

So you are dealing without an FFL?

How many sales records do you have?

Can we see them?
Please?

 

[dogtown tom]

Captains1911 .....For a scenario like mine, why the hell would anybody not want to have a record????

If you are going to have a record, make sure it contains everything you really need to know:
Did you take a photograph of the buyer?
Did you verify his DL?
How about his license plate number and blood type?
Did you Google his name before completing the sale?

There is no Federal recordkeeping requirement for a private sale.

Enjoy that freedom while you can.

 

[leadcounsel]

FTF and no paperwork is required in my state.

I used to do a bill of sale. I rarely do now. I won't do one for the other party unless they insist AND I really want the gun. I have walked on a buy because the guy insisted and I was just luke warm on the purchase anyway.

But what I do keep are records of all of my guns. I have a spreadsheet with details including who I bought or sold from. I'll note their name and city (from their ID), and how we met, and their phone number and/or usename/email address. So if someday they claim it was stolen from them or it turns out to be hot, I do have SOME record of where I got it... and likewise if I sold a gun and it is traced back to me for some reason, I can say where it left my hands (date, person, and their contact information).

With guns, unlike TVs or bicycles, I think that's a prudent step.

 

[denton]

I've bought and sold at my house and in various parking lots. Usually, if there is quite a distance between buyer and seller, a centrally located parking lot is a good place.

There are literally thousands of firearms for sale on KSL.com, so there is no shortage of in-state private sale opportunities available.

I always get a chuckle out of sellers who say the buyer "must be willing to sign a bill of sale." Folks, a bill of sale is the seller's written statement of what the merchandise is, and is signed by the seller. Anyway, I won't and I don't.

I am not required to keep any records on private sales. I make sure the person resides in my same state, which I actually don't have to do either. As long as I have no reason to believe that the other party is a prohibited person and no reason to believe he doesn't reside in my same state, I'm clear. I am not required to go looking for those reasons.

If asked, my answer is that I did a private purchase/sale, and have no records of the transaction. Cash went one way, the firearm went the other, and two guys left happy.

 

[mr.trooper]

It's just like selling anything else.

If your buyer has to drive a distance, it is courteous to meet them 1/2 way. Pick a time and place, hand over your gun, and get paid.

 

[kcshooter]

I always get a chuckle out of sellers who say the buyer "must be willing to sign a bill of sale."

I'm glad that makes you chuckle.
Of course, it also keeps the shady buyers from bothering to call me.
If it also keeps you from calling, well, so be it.

I bet my gun sells for my asking price anyway.
Just not to you.


(By "you", I do mean to include all of those who refuse to sign bills of sale.)

 

[dogtown tom]

kcshooter

Quote:
I always get a chuckle out of sellers who say the buyer "must be willing to sign a bill of sale."

...Of course, it also keeps the shady buyers from bothering to call me.

How on earth does signing a bill of sale keep the "shady buyers" away?

 

[bushmaster1313]

Assuming it legal, I still would not do a face to face with someone I did not know or who was not well known to someone I knew well.

 

[kcshooter]

How on earth does signing a bill of sale keep the "shady buyers" away?

Figured that was self explanatory. Guess not.
Because a felon or other prohibited party (i.e. shady buyers) will be far more likely move on to the next seller who not only doesn't require a bill of sale, but refuses to have one.


If the gun I used to own is used in a crime, I may be able to assist LEOs in the capture of the criminals, which makes me rest easier. I can also prove I did not have possession of the firearm at the time, rather than daring the feds to prove it.

Again, if you won't participate in a bill of sale, that's fine, you won't be buying any of my guns. Nor will I be buying any of yours.

But they are MY guns, and I can sell them however I want to.
That's the freedom I enjoy.




I should say that I do live on the outskirts of a city that does exist in two states, and it's easy to have identification from one state while legally being a resident of the other. I'm a Missouri resident. If I sell my gun to a person with a Missouri driver's license who is now a Kansas resident, I've unwittingly committed a felony. Sure, they have to prove in a court of law that I did it with intent, but have you ever tried defending yourself against a felony? Me either. Don't want to.
So I guess I believe in a CYA philosophy.

 

[45Badger]

Cash, quick glimpse of driver's license to verify state and age, "Are you prohibited?", Sold! (or bought).

My house, their house parking lot, etc. No big deal.