Handgun sale transaction location - private parties

J

jibberjabber

New member
Where is a good place to conduct the transaction of a private party sale - excluding those parties' private residences? I have a buyer for one of my handguns, but I don't feel comfortable transacting in my home or the buyer's home? It's a local sale. The LGS, my first thought, would not allow this on their property for obvious reasons. And we don't have any public ranges anywhere close.

Please no responses about paranoia or trust issues :) I'm only interested in a logistical solution. Thanks.
 
I have met sellers in Walmart parking lots and bank parking lots. The advantage of Walmart is they have video surveillance cameras, in case anything goes wrong.
 
I usually go to the Bass Pro shop's parking lot or another crowded parking lot that has video cameras. Also it would be smart to bring a friend along. I never do as I am always armed, but I probably should.
 
Why would an LGS not want you to transact in their parking lot? You're about to get a bunch of cash and need some where to spend it on more guns!
 
Any very public location, particularly those with cameras are good. Someone with ill will may think twice, if they know or are told about the cameras. I know one acquaintance that likes to do trades outside police HQ.
 
I've thought about setting stuff up in parking lots of police stations. Now mind you I have not purchased nor sold guns or related stuff private party face to face.

I figure if anyone has ill intentions they won't want to meet you there to begin with.

It was in the news locally a couple months ago where a guy set up a deal to sell his AR (I think an AR) in the parking lot of a Sportsmans Warehouse. Well the supposed buyer ended up pulling a gun and taking the guy's AR. The owner was unable to get to his ankle holstered BUG until the crook was already in his getaway car. The seller fired a couple rounds at the fleeing car, which probably got him some charges. I'm unsure about that as I don't remember hearing any more about it, but you can't go shooting willy nilly at fleeing cars...

Needless to say I am now very wary about meeting an just any "Public place".
 
Ths is actually one of the best thread topics to come along in awhile. Great question. I've done--actually purchased--in a restaurant parking lot suggested by the seller I'm sure for the same reasons discussed. Not great but not bad, I'd think, for a seller. Still, a potential risk of onlookers from the restaurant becoming busy-bodies (who wouldn't be with some of the stuff that's happened?), so a bit of discretion in always called for regardless..In that particular case it was "ok" but still a little awkward.

Some folks are just private-types, perhaps myself included if I think about it, and don't want a stranger-buyer at their residence regardless of thier reasons--and that's good enough cause to go elsewhere. The gun club/parking lot idea is an excellent one especially as no one would (or should) think seeing a private-party's firearm exposed as unusual.

A police station makes security sense but might raise an eyebrow or at the least unwanted curiosity from that establishment even though the transaction's all legal and above board. If a small town, one might get specifically friendly with constable/staff--enough they they know you might be doing this from time to time--"is it ok?"--and then they'd probably think nothing of it. I wouldn't do just any retail establishment as the sight of a a gun could be associated with a robbery with some (convenience stores especially come to mind...and banks of course!)--thus the Bass/Cabelas/Walmart, etc, idea well away from the building but still in video range isn't a bad one.

I realize in none of these situations would one "brandish" a firearm openly (stupidly), instead using a bit of stealth in displaying the gun for the buyer, but somewhere in the process the buyer is (rightfully) going to want to actually check out the gun--rack it, aim it, handle it, and especially with a long arm it's going to get noticed. If a gun club is available, it's sounding better and better, then large warehouse store parking lots - "Cabelas" (etc), Walmart, etc. IMO.
 
McDonald's works well - ANY parking lot where there is a lot of traffic seems to put most folks at ease. (If your local cops like a particular place, do it in that parking lot when there are a few in eating)
 
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I did a trade with a police office in the station parking lot last year. When ever I do a trade FTF, I always stipulate DL or CHL from the other party. But I 've also done trades/sales in Mickey D's and Sam's Club parking lots. Just have to be vigilent.
 
I met a buyer @ an Academy parking lot....(HPD officer) at the main entrance of the store. I of course had my cc 9 and my brother-n-law watched the whole transaction from a few cars away. The buyer was a nice guy and the transaction went well.
 
I should add to mine that I have, on occasion, used a friendly LGS I've got a very good established relationship with, with the actual transaction outside but viewing/handling ok inside if appropriate (weather, type of gun etc), ...but I've also been careful to not wear out that welcome mat either. OTOH, I have also on a very few occasions included them (LGS) in the process--with the buying party's understanding--especially on a "more valuable" gun where there may be a bit more margin--by quickly entering the gun into consignment, thereby giving the LGS at least a modest bit of the transaction. It essentially becomes their transaction, and therefore also requires the obligatory phone check, but it's gone well. Because the LGS doesn't have to handle, store/secure etc the gun nearly as much as with a normal consignment, the y'll do it for a reduced rate mostly just to cover the hassle of the I.d. Check/form and logging it in and out of the system. But, at least it's something for them where otherwise there'd be none, so it's worthwhile.

Lots of good options folks have listed here.
 
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I've bought several guns locally and arranged to meet at a place of MY choice-- the arches works well. I meet the seller inside, have a cup of coffee with him, and talk about the gun and its history a bit so I get a good feeling about the seller and the deal. We then go outside to make the transfer, and so far, so good.

A buddy of mine uses his bank parking lot, another good idea.
 
Make sure you see a photo ID .Make sure you conform to the state laws. Make sure you prepare a bill of sale , 2 copies , and get them signed.
 
I am from illinois and have done a few transactions.

The first was in a parking lot at a strip mall and the other time was in another strip mall parking lot.

Both times the firearm was in a box or case and I checked it out or let them check it out but not waving it around or any non-sense like that.

Ideally you want to be in a public place but obviously common sense issues like a school parking lot or in front of a day care center would not be a good idea.

The advantage to say a strip mall or indoor mall parking lot is there are a lot of commotion going on but you probably won't have anyone getting into your business. That and that these locations usually have cameras is great.


just and FYI but you probably already know this, under illinois law you have to check his foid and then make sure you create to bill (keep it in your records for 10 years)of sale just to document the sale/transfer. I like to be pretty specific about those so I include the guns serial, type of gun, make...that sort of thing and then I put bot of our names and usually have them sign it as well.
 
Important note about sales in Illinois

The mandatory waiting period applies to private sales too.

From the Illinois State Police website:

"Illinois law requires withholding the delivery of a concealable weapon (i.e. a handgun) for at least 72 hours and a rifle, shotgun, or other long gun for at least 24 hours. This applies for gun dealers and private sales."
 
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