I'll share with you a very recent thread in my local state forum. This particular forum is based around concealed and open carry, and the laws in the state of Ohio. We are a grass roots group that work to change Ohio laws for the betterment of all Pro-2A folks. On our forum, what we do most is to share with each other and learn with each other precisely what the laws are and how to live completely within them, and how we go about properly changing them.
This was posted yesterday afternoon by one of our guys.
Posted one hour later by another regular from our group:
Folks, what we've got here is either a really dense buyer, attempting not only to do something illegal, but also REALLY stupid that he keeps asking and pointing out the fact that he wants to do this "without paperwork" or background check.
Or... more likely...
It's someone up to no good, trying to entrap a good guy in to some nefarious illegal activity.
And just so we are all on the same page, here is what it required to privately sell a handgun in Ohio.
--both seller and buyer MUST be Ohio residents
--buyer must be 21 years of age or older (it's assumed that seller is simply because he's possessing a handgun)
--seller must have NO REASON to believe that he is selling a firearm to a prohibited buyer
There is absolutely no legal need for the involvement of any FFL, no legal requirement for any sort of a background check and there is no requirement for any paperwork of any sort, nor any excess information to be exchanged.
Some people elect to do that... most of us do not.
Now, the fact that the same guy happens to hit up two folks from the same area both listing guns for sale with the same schtick, and within hours? And he doesn't learn from the first conversation that maybe he shouldn't ask about "passing a background check" and he asks the next guy?
And the major, major red flag comes at the end when he offers MORE money than what was agreed upon?
So we are thinking that it's some local anti-gun group, or some out-of-state Bloomberg-type of jerk... or the BATFE with some extra time on their hands.
In any case, know your state laws and if it smells rotten, it's probably rotten.
Anyone else have this happen to them?
This was posted yesterday afternoon by one of our guys.
Interesting enough all on it's own, I suppose... UNTIL:I have a firearm up in the FS/FT forums and also have it listed on armslist. I was contacted through armslist about it and spoke with the guy on the phone. After working out all the details of the sale itself, price, etc the conversation took the following turn.
Him: "You're not a dealer or anything, no paperwork right?"
Me: "Well, I will need to see a Driver's License or something just to make sure you're an Ohio resident....Are you allowed to buy and own guns?"
*silence*
Me: "You still there?"
Him: "Yeah. I'm not sure really."
Me: "What do you mean you're not sure?"
Him: "Well I don't think I could pass the background check. Is that a problem?"
Me: "Yes thats a problem, I'm sorry but I'm not going to be willing to sell it to you."
Him: "Why not?"
Me: "None of my business, but would you mind telling me what you did?"
*silence*
Me: "Ohio law says I cannot knowingly provide a firearm to what is considered a Prohibited Person which you are telling me you might be"
*silence*
Me: "Thanks for your interest, I think you should talk to a lawyer before trying to buy a gun from anyone"
At this point he made an offer significantly higher than my asking price which I declined. I wished him well and hung up.
Posted one hour later by another regular from our group:
And back from the original poster:I had the same exact converasation with a fella from glocktalk today at just after 6.
(another forum guy) was over and heard the whole thing, then PMd me later and told me to check this thread.
I texted you my guys number to see if it is the same Akronite.
---------------------------------------------------Per our Texts, it was the same guy - just to keep everyone else up to date.
Folks, what we've got here is either a really dense buyer, attempting not only to do something illegal, but also REALLY stupid that he keeps asking and pointing out the fact that he wants to do this "without paperwork" or background check.
Or... more likely...
It's someone up to no good, trying to entrap a good guy in to some nefarious illegal activity.
And just so we are all on the same page, here is what it required to privately sell a handgun in Ohio.
--both seller and buyer MUST be Ohio residents
--buyer must be 21 years of age or older (it's assumed that seller is simply because he's possessing a handgun)
--seller must have NO REASON to believe that he is selling a firearm to a prohibited buyer
There is absolutely no legal need for the involvement of any FFL, no legal requirement for any sort of a background check and there is no requirement for any paperwork of any sort, nor any excess information to be exchanged.
Some people elect to do that... most of us do not.
Now, the fact that the same guy happens to hit up two folks from the same area both listing guns for sale with the same schtick, and within hours? And he doesn't learn from the first conversation that maybe he shouldn't ask about "passing a background check" and he asks the next guy?
And the major, major red flag comes at the end when he offers MORE money than what was agreed upon?
So we are thinking that it's some local anti-gun group, or some out-of-state Bloomberg-type of jerk... or the BATFE with some extra time on their hands.
In any case, know your state laws and if it smells rotten, it's probably rotten.
Anyone else have this happen to them?