KCRaider21
New member
When selling guns to a private individual, where do you meet to ensure everyones safety? Do you do anything other than a bill of sale?
Where to meet for gun transaction?
- Thread starter KCRaider21
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cc-hangfire
New member
+1 to krimmie's answer. No one would be surprised to see a firearm in the parking lot of a gun shop or a sporting goods store.
Sometimes if a sporting goods store isn't convenient I pick a large parking lot in a high visibility area. Enough folks within eyesight to have witnesses, parking lot large enough to get in a less populated corner so we aren't handling guns at the front door. And daylight hours so there are other folks around.
Two copies of the bill of sale (one for each of you) & over the buyers signature a statement that they are not prohibited by law from possessing a firearm. Both show drivers license & I verify that they fill out the same address as their DL on the bill of sale.
Sometimes if a sporting goods store isn't convenient I pick a large parking lot in a high visibility area. Enough folks within eyesight to have witnesses, parking lot large enough to get in a less populated corner so we aren't handling guns at the front door. And daylight hours so there are other folks around.
Two copies of the bill of sale (one for each of you) & over the buyers signature a statement that they are not prohibited by law from possessing a firearm. Both show drivers license & I verify that they fill out the same address as their DL on the bill of sale.
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kilimanjaro
New member
+2 for the answers.
Never to a bill of sale, ever. Giving your name and address as a guaranteed person who keeps firearms to an unknown person in not a smart move for a little piece of meaningless paper that holds no legal ground whatsoever. (not notarized, not witnessed, etc etc)
I show my driver's license with my thumb over my contact information to prove my state residence and my age and I ask the same from the other person.
I usually meet in the parking lot of a big box type of store, at the far end of the lot (not near the store) so someone walking to the store isn't "alarmed" if they see someone hand over a zippered pistol case to another person.
Most often, one of us sits in the other person's vehicle or we both look down in to an open trunk and handle the firearm inside the trunk for the same reasons.
No bill of sale for a lawn mower or a screwdriver at a garage sale, no bill of sale for a firearm.
I show my driver's license with my thumb over my contact information to prove my state residence and my age and I ask the same from the other person.
I usually meet in the parking lot of a big box type of store, at the far end of the lot (not near the store) so someone walking to the store isn't "alarmed" if they see someone hand over a zippered pistol case to another person.
Most often, one of us sits in the other person's vehicle or we both look down in to an open trunk and handle the firearm inside the trunk for the same reasons.
No bill of sale for a lawn mower or a screwdriver at a garage sale, no bill of sale for a firearm.
Yes, many Police Departments are encouraging citizens to use their parking lots for face to face transactions. Some departments are even allocating specific areas with signage and cameras. I do wonder what they might think if they saw a couple of guys handling guns in this area, but I guess you could verify ahead of time that it was ok.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/03/02/following-craigslist-crimes-police-across-the-country-are-opening-safe-havens-for-transactions/
cc-hangfire
New member
Some folks are comfortable buying & selling without a bill of sale. I make it clear that my sales will require one (on Armslist usually).
See this current thread for more on keeping records:
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=565938
Another issue regarding safety is the before-sale-communication. If anything seems odd or doesn't add up, I just decline to sell (or buy).
See this current thread for more on keeping records:
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=565938
Another issue regarding safety is the before-sale-communication. If anything seems odd or doesn't add up, I just decline to sell (or buy).
KCRaider21
New member
Thanks for the info guys.
leadcounsel
Moderator
Well, now in WA we have to go through and FFL due to a new law. Don't let this happen to your state!
Back when we were free to do FFLs here was my learning curve.
I used to do a bill of sale, but then decided I didn't really want some stranger having my DL#, home address in writing, or even a copy of my drivers license.
Of course I'm happy to show it to them, but as for a hard copy, I think that's unwise (burglary, ID theft, etc.).
I just keep a PDF copy of their sale ad, email or PM chains, texts, etc, or otherwise just record their phone, full name, city, for my records, and also keep a copy of their emails. These are all sufficient to rebut any allegation contrary to a purchase/sale given there are time stamps which are probably better than a signature which is not notarized or witnessed anyway.
Of course I will ask the key questions on email or text - mainly to ensure they are not a prohibited person, not a felon etc. All recorded neatly in an email. Also creates a record in case you disappear mysteriously.
Good communication in advance to clarify condition, cash sale or trade, expectations, etc. This saves a lot of time, dickering, and weeds out flakes or suspicious buyers.
As for a meet, daylight. Public lot with some traffic but also somewhere that a gun can be inspected without raising attention. A sporting goods or gun store lot is good. Ideally find a camera system to park under in case something goes south. Some will suggest a police station parking lot. Not sure about that one...
I have gone into strangers homes or cars before, but that is not a good practice.
I would avoid that. 
I would also never have a stranger over to your home for any transactions.
Back when we were free to do FFLs here was my learning curve.
I used to do a bill of sale, but then decided I didn't really want some stranger having my DL#, home address in writing, or even a copy of my drivers license.
Of course I'm happy to show it to them, but as for a hard copy, I think that's unwise (burglary, ID theft, etc.).
I just keep a PDF copy of their sale ad, email or PM chains, texts, etc, or otherwise just record their phone, full name, city, for my records, and also keep a copy of their emails. These are all sufficient to rebut any allegation contrary to a purchase/sale given there are time stamps which are probably better than a signature which is not notarized or witnessed anyway.
Of course I will ask the key questions on email or text - mainly to ensure they are not a prohibited person, not a felon etc. All recorded neatly in an email. Also creates a record in case you disappear mysteriously.
Good communication in advance to clarify condition, cash sale or trade, expectations, etc. This saves a lot of time, dickering, and weeds out flakes or suspicious buyers. As for a meet, daylight. Public lot with some traffic but also somewhere that a gun can be inspected without raising attention. A sporting goods or gun store lot is good. Ideally find a camera system to park under in case something goes south. Some will suggest a police station parking lot. Not sure about that one...
I have gone into strangers homes or cars before, but that is not a good practice.
I would avoid that. I would also never have a stranger over to your home for any transactions.
I always meet in a dark alley under the dim glow of a street light late at night. I wear a trench coat with the collar raised high and a fedora pulled low down to my eyes. And I always have a spare heater in my pocket just in case. Guns and money are traded, the money quickly counted and I leave. I never leave the same way I came.
Or if I don't feel like playing a crook in a Mickey Spillane novel I will meet a buyer at a gas station just off the freeway that has a car wash on the side. There is an area in front of the carwash that has parking spaces so you can vacuum out your car. Its safe and in plain view of the store/gas station and the fuel pumps. Never had a single problem. Everyone feels safe.
Or if I don't feel like playing a crook in a Mickey Spillane novel I will meet a buyer at a gas station just off the freeway that has a car wash on the side. There is an area in front of the carwash that has parking spaces so you can vacuum out your car. Its safe and in plain view of the store/gas station and the fuel pumps. Never had a single problem. Everyone feels safe.
johnwilliamson062
Moderator
Any place that sells guns or ammunition. Walmart, local gun store, etc.
I don't bother with a bill of sale. Most transactions involve e-mails that are saved in my mail account. If I really need to dig them up...
I don't bother with a bill of sale. Most transactions involve e-mails that are saved in my mail account. If I really need to dig them up...
The last FTF I did was in a restaurant parking lot. Nice, easy transaction.
I can't say that I'd be overly concerned about doing a FTF at my home, however. I've bought and sold used cars over the years and this takes place at my home, or the seller's home. I used to use an FFL who did transfers out of his house, when this was allowed. No big deal with that either.
I can't say that I'd be overly concerned about doing a FTF at my home, however. I've bought and sold used cars over the years and this takes place at my home, or the seller's home. I used to use an FFL who did transfers out of his house, when this was allowed. No big deal with that either.
Mannlicher
New member
I guess an honest answer to this question really depends on where you live. In Florida, nothing is required.
I get by with a handshake, and an exchange of cash. Pretty much anywhere is fine.
I get by with a handshake, and an exchange of cash. Pretty much anywhere is fine.
I've never bought a gun from an individual, and only sold one once to an individual. I was really naive about selling a gun, but did so after finding an old 6.5 mm semi-auto in the back of a closet of the house I had just bought and moved into. After finding that none of the local gun stores were interested in buying it, I put an ad in the paper and offered it for cash only. The first guy who called came to my house, sat down in my dining room to look at it, and paid me in $20's. I never got his name, he never got mine. I guess that was not an ideal way to do it. That was about 25 years ago.
just had a guy near me state that he was robbed of two AR15s on a gun sale meet.... its a FB closed gun group... fake profile, buyer had three friends show up in another vehicle... met at a local fast food parking lot at 10:30 p.m., said he felt safe because the business was open, had lots of lights and was never robbed before. 