Selling guns

R

Roland Thunder

New member
I have never sold a gun, just bought them. How does one go about selling/trading a gun (new in box). Is online or at gun shows the only place or do some gun shops take trade in's if the gun is new. I figure there is probably some law against doing that.

I am thinking of selling a new gun I have but I am undecided.:confused:
 
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Legally, the safest thing is to either sell it or trade it in at a gun store.
It's also the least hassle, by far.
But, unless it's a hard to find and in demand model, don't expect getting top dollar, probably no more than half of what you originally paid.
 
+1 to g.willikers indicated, and maybe 2/3 if you are trading it in. In most cases a gun store will give you for a sale 1/2 of what they can sell the gun for. If they feel they can sell it for $1000, you might get $500, most likely less. Gun stores that would buy a gun, have employees and rent/utilities that have to be paid as well, but it is quick, you would go in with the weapon, they would handle the paper work, and you leave with the money.

A private sale will take longer, you could get closer to the value, but check your local laws first.
 
To get the most amount of money for your gun, you should sell it to a private individual. I'm not familiar with other State's laws, but in GA (I think that's where you live since you have "ATL" in your name), you just need to know the person you're selling it to is not a felon. At least that's what a police officer told me.

I personally ask for their firearms license. That pretty much shows that one can legally buy a gun. Some people do a bill of sale, but I don't usually mess with that.

All that is for face to face. If you have to ship the gun, you need to mail it to the buyer's FFL through UPS overnight.
 
I'm very careful about the guns I buy and do a lot of research before I buy, consequently, I don't sell my guns. I just buy more. :D
 
Easiest is sale it to a gun shop. Even though your gun is "new" it's still a used gun when you sell it and you'll get about half what you paid for it.
Private sale (thru the newspaper, craiglist, etc. ) will get you more money but you'll have to deal with the public (Field phone calls, questions, set up meets).
If it's a desirable and less common gun then you can get the most money thru an auction site like Gunbroker. I have sold many guns that way. You have the whole country for your market. They send you payment and a copy of their dealers FFL and you have your local dealer send it to their dealer. You'll pay a transfer fee to your dealer to handle the transaction, about $20 or so.

Jim
 
I think I'll just keep it. Based on what I am reading from people that sell guns, a lot of people end up wishing they had kept it after they sold it.

Since I have been waffling anyway about whether to sell it or not, I figure I'll end up being one of those that regretted it later.

Thanks for talking me out of it.
 
The law in some states just says that you have to know that who you sell it to is qualified, i e, not crazy, not a felon, not a terrorist, and lives in the same state as you. Also, some states allow more freedom for individuals to sell guns at gun shows. A little investigation should shed light on it. Most any FFL could probably tell you.
 
However and whomever you decide to sell it to, play it safe and sell it to or through an FFL holder and you pay for the transfer fee. Once ran into a private seller at a gun show that would only sell it this way. He appologized and I told him no appologies were needed and in fact, complimented him for his action. ..... :rolleyes:

You can sell it here, in this manner. ...... ;)

So much for the Gun-Show loophole. ...... ;)


Be Safe !!!
 
I only sold one gun ever, the first handgun I ever owned. A Ruger stainless single six, 5.5" barrel. Loved that handgun but times were difficult in the depression of the 80's. I still want to replace that handgun and regret ever selling it. Now if you get a lemon, by all means, dump it now. My brother in law purchased a 22 revolver from an unnamed company and wow is it a piece of junk - he gets constant ribbing about it. Sell that stuff - keep the good stuff forever!
 
Pretty much everything said is true, but one nitpick -- it is not legally required to use an FFL on your side of the transaction if sending the firearm out of state, only the receiving party must go through an FFL for the transfer.
 
it is not legally required to use an FFL on your side of the transaction
Click to expand...
Up until a year ago, I was not aware that some FFL dealers would only accept firearm's transfers from another FFL, out of state dealer. The recieving party needs to set this up at their end. I don't care to do business on these terms.


Be Safe !!!
 
This is true as a business practice, but not required. I tend to avoid FFL's that only deal with FFL's. It's their license, so they can do as they wish, but it is not required.
 
I was in the same position as you. I was not sure if I wanted to sell one I have, but the deciding factor for me is whether or not I like the gun. If it fits your hand good might as well keep it. I hate the way one of mine fits my hand and I feel I will regret buying it more then I will ever regret selling it. It's definitely your money but keep in mind that most of the time you will not sell/trade it for what you have put into it.
 
I sold a gun once. Was a Springer GI SS model, moved up to a Springer loaded so Isold the GI (I have a couple other GIs)
 
GregInATL said"
"I think I'll just keep it. Based on what I am reading from people that sell guns, a lot of people end up wishing they had kept it after they sold it."

Good decision greg.

Now go out and shoot the snot outta it! Let it know you love it.
 
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