How do you guys do it?

R

redfishmullet

Inactive
Just curious, how do you guys handle a FTF gun sale with someone you don't know? I talked to my local dealer today and asked if he would do a background check(for his Fee of course) on a person that I may sell a handgun to. He said the only checks he does are for guns he sells. I would not feel comfortable selling a handgun to someone with out a check. Any thoughts?
 
So long as it's legal in your state, it's not different than selling a car or a chainsaw as far as I'm concerned. Unless you have reason to suspect that the person is prohibited, which is the only Federal law regarding FTF transfers aside from residency/age as they apply, why should I think they're a problem?
 
It's just an FFL transfer !!!

He said the only checks he does are for guns he sells
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I'm not sure how your dealer works or the state's requirement. BUT, I would try another dealer and see if he would just do a transfer on this gun. It's done all the time and of course, you pay the fee. .... ;)

For instance, If I buy a gun, over the internet, like GunBroker, I have to mail a copy of my local dealer's FFL license. When I travel, I always take a copy with me as well and when I find something I like, I just pay for it, hand over the copy to the seller, pay shipping and the shipping. He has to agree to package and ship it to "your" dealer back home. .... :)

Once had an occasion to buy a rifle at a local GS. The seller apologized and said that he wanted this sail to go through an FFL dealer and he would pay the transfer fee. I agreed a all went well.. .... :)

Now, Iowa has a good deal in that you can buy a yearly permit that goes through the local Sherriff's office. The cost is $5.00 and good for a year. I never buy or unless we both have this permit !!

Be Safe !!!
 
Do a Bill of Sale (BOS).

Write the BOS to include a paragraph whereby the buyer attests to the fact that he is able to legally possess, buy and sell firearms.
 
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So long as it's legal in your state, it's not different than selling a car or a chainsaw as far as I'm concerned. Unless you have reason to suspect that the person is prohibited, which is the only Federal law regarding FTF transfers aside from residency/age as they apply, why should I think they're a problem?
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Just to add to that, check the ID and write down his name.
 
My last FTF was in the parking lot of a Police Dept. Did a Bill of sale that included seller and buyer CHL information.
 
I have sold off several firearms lately trying to reduce my collection since I have no one to leave them to. I've used Armslist with great success (except for a few knuckleheads). I do a BOS and if it's a handgun I ask for a CCW (some people think I'm asking for too much, and maybe I am). At first I almost felt like I was doing something wrong because of all of the "anti-gun" crowd rants I hear on the news everyday. It didn't take me long to change that way of thinking as I was doing nothing at all wrong. I have met some really nice folks along the way, too. I meet them where I work so everyone feels comfortable.
 
A seller or a buyer asking me for a Bill of Sale ends the transaction for me. Purely and simply, it's not legally required where I live, and what it absolutely DOES do is it puts your name and home address on a piece of paper, to someone you do -NOT- know, clearly disclosing the location of more firearms.

Know the law, follow the law. Where I live, my buyer needs to be a resident of the state I live in and 21 or over, and he mustn't give me any outward idea that he's prohibited.

If he ends up doing something illegal, or the next person down the line does something illegal, I am not liable and will not be held liable as long as I did my due diligence.

For those that feel they must stick to a Bill of Sale, that's all well and good. But disclose that information ahead of time. Don't waste someone's time with a meet-up and a deal and attempt to stick that foolishness at them.
 
I don't know why people handle the sale of a firearm any differently than they would any other tool.

A car is capable of more damage than any firearm and people regularly sell them without any personal info exchange.

We do no favors to ourselves when we treat firearms like they are dangerous objects. It is the user of the tool that is dangerous, not the tool.
 
redfishmullet said:
Just curious, how do you guys handle a FTF gun sale with someone you don't know? I talked to my local dealer today and asked if he would do a background check(for his Fee of course) on a person that I may sell a handgun to. He said the only checks he does are for guns he sells. I would not feel comfortable selling a handgun to someone with out a check. Any thoughts?
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If you're not comfortable selling to someone without a background check, put the gun on consignment and let the FFL worry about it.

The (federal) legal requirement is only that you not sell to someone whom you KNOW to be a prohibited person. Many sellers ask to see a permit -- if a buyer has a carry permit (or even a hunting license), odds are he/she probably isn't a prohibited person. Since it's for a handgun, the buyer must also be a resident of your state. The permit or hunting license would also verify state of residence.

What greater level of comfort would you need?
 
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I have bought a few and sold a couple of guns FTF and I keep it pretty simple. In my state there is only a requirement that we "have no reason to believe the person is not a resident." I prefer to meet in a popular parking lot. Although not required, I do ask to see a driver's license to reasonably ensure they are a resident, and I show mine, but do not record any information.

I have only traded via gun forums that I frequent and I can check the person's online transaction record or postings to get a sense of whether this is a real gun guy, or a drive-by visitor. So far I have never met a questionable character, we have ended up chatting about guns and such and met some nice folks.
 
I just use my own judgement...

There is no law (yet) that requires me to do a background check on a potential buyer...so I don't fret over it.

I don't normally sell many guns, but have sold a few this year...most were sold through a local FFL, but a few were sold at gun shows and such.

Its pretty easy to get an idea of a person with just a few minutes of conversation...talk a little hunting and shooting...if you hear anything you don't like....don't sell it.
 
donato said:
Do a Bill of Sale (BOS).

Write the BOS to include a paragraph whereby the buyer attests to the fact that he is able to legally possess, buy and sell firearms.
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That's what I've done in past with any firearms I've purchased through a FFL that has my name & serial # associated with it. I always include serial # too, have them print and sign. My records only.
As for other firearms its a judgement call on your part whether to meet and sell. I've had bad feeling and responses from armslist buyers before and I've just told them its already sold
 
I have only traded via gun forums that I frequent and I can check the person's online transaction record or postings to get a sense of whether this is a real gun guy, or a drive-by visitor. So far I have never met a questionable character, we have ended up chatting about guns and such and met some nice folks.
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Exactly this. Sticking with this route puts you in a far better position, IMO, but it does mean that Armslist has to be pretty much completely removed from your world. That's what I have done. My buddy still uses it and at least half of his transactions have gone hinky in some manner or another.

Seriously-- his last Armslist meet-up turned out to be a 19 year old kid with a double action Colt Trooper that we suspect may have been swiped from his Grandfather.
 
This is the issue with face-to-face, but understand that this is no different than selling a van to a guy who looks like a terrorist to you. Actually discriminating based on race would likely get you into more trouble.

So:
Know the law, follow the law. Where I live, my buyer needs to be a resident of the state I live in and 21 or over, and he mustn't give me any outward idea that he's prohibited.
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That's pretty much it.
1) May I see your driver's license to prove you are a state resident and over 21?
2) Are you prohibited by state or federal law from buying or owning a firearm?
3) May I see the money and count it?
4) Thank you

Ideally, the sale should not take place at your place of residence.

If the seller wanted to ask me too many more questions, especially about where I lived, I would probably say thank you for your time and movre on. I would sign a bill of sale with my name on it.

At a friends insistance, I put information about his name and address on a bill of sale, but I didn't like it. I was sure we would both remain friends and none of this was new information.
 
I'll ask if they are legally allowed to buy a firearm, and ask to see a DL (they can put their thumb over name & address) to match picture and state. Assuming we've made it past that point whith no glitches...

They hand me cash and I hand them gun. We're done.
 
Ps.. I Never put my name on the bill of sale till after I leave.
Also you may also assume both parties are armed as well
Parking lot of sporting goods stores are a good meeting place
 
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