[dcook22]

Hi all,

I see that a lot of private gun sales happen FTF because it costs significantly less without shipping and FFL charges. Maybe I'm paranoid from growing up in NY City, but how do you know that when you go to meet someone to buy a gun that they won't just pull the gun on you, take your money and shoot you? These are strangers for the most part, right? I guess feedback scores count for something, but the guy knows you're showing up with a wad of cash in your pocket. It seems like a prime time for a hold-up.

I ask because I don't have my CCW yet. If I buy privately, is there still a background check? I was looking at Gunbroker.com and found a gun I like at a great price and the guy lives less than 10 miles from me. How do i go about keeping the transfer safe?

Thanks,

Dan

 

[RWBShooter]

Dan,

Private gun sales do not require a background check currently. That's what the liberal media and the Brady bunch refer to as "the Gun Show Loophole." If/when that "loophole" is closed, fathers will no longer be able to pass their childhood hunting rifle to their sons without the assistance of an FFL. Grandfathers won't be able to pass their family heirlooms to their granddaughters without someone's "blessing" of the transaction. (That's another soapbox for another time.)

As for safety, treat it as any other face to face transaction with a stranger... except know you're meeting someone who has a gun and who knows you'll have money on you. We should strive to be aware regardless of who it is we're meeting and why. Meet in a public or semi-public place if possible. Meet during the daytime, preferably where others will be around. Ask for a bill of sale. One copy for you. One for the seller. If the gun later is found to have been stolen or used in a crime, you'll have proof of purchasing it. You may even ask to see the seller's driver's license whn you buy it to be sure the name on the bill of sale matches his ID. If he's smart, he'll probably ask to see yours for the same reason.

I would not buy face to face from someone I did not know or trust. I want to be sure the firearm I buy was not stolen or used in a crime. For that measure of safety, I'm willing to pay $25 for an FFL to handle the transaction. I want to know the gun isn't on a hotsheet somewhere before I buy it.

YMMV.

- Str8Shooter

 

[Cthulhu]

I've seen a lot of private sellers who will only sell to CWFL holders, too.

It's not a guarantee of safety, but it can mitigate the risks a bit.

-JT

 

[brownie]

I would not buy face to face from someone I did not know or trust. I want to be sure the firearm I buy was not stolen or used in a crime. For that measure of safety, I'm willing to pay $25 for an FFL to handle the transaction. I want to know the gun isn't on a hotsheet somewhere before I buy it.

Str8Shooter,

Because an ffl holder sends the gun, has put it in his books and also into his "sold to" records doesn't guarantee the gun isn't on a hot sheet. FFL's regularly will log a gun in, and ship it to another dealer for a private party [ charging a fee to do so ] and not have checked the gun for hot sheet status.

He's providing a service only in a transfer transaction. Now with the serial number in his books, it might be easier to track the guns current location, and from who the gun was "bought" by the dealer making the transaction for the "customer" to the other ffl holder, but it is still very unlikely the gun would be caught in the system unless there was an audit of the ffl holder, and every gun was run on the hot sheet to cross reference them all [ and that will never happen unless the batf has some suspicion the ffl has transferred stolen guns in the past for some reason.

We don't check every gun we buy from customers who sell or trade to us. It's very possible that the ones not checked [ at least 90% of the guns in any given year ] could produce a hot gun or two over time. You could easily buy a used gun that's hot from a dealer who didn't check with local LE's to determine it's status before it was resold.

We hold quite a few after we take possession before they are put out for sale. That can take up to two weeks for LE to get back to us on those pieces. The system is flawed in that regard unless every dealer in every buy/trade transaction holds the gun to be checked first.

Brownie

 

[RWBShooter]

Str8Shooter,

Because an ffl holder sends the gun, has put it in his books and also into his "sold to" records doesn't guarantee the gun isn't on a hot sheet. FFL's regularly will log a gun in, and ship it to another dealer for a private party [ charging a fee to do so ] and not have checked the gun for hot sheet status.
Brownie

That's good to know, Sir. Thanks. I had assumed (and we all know what that means) that a hotsheet check was a part of the FFL transfer process. I stand corrected. (And enlightened, I might add.)

- Str8Shooter

 

[henryher]

I have purchased on Gunbroker and its like Ebay. You have to look at the feedback and by the most part they are FFL that sell on that site. They are not allowed to ship directly anyway. What you have to think of is, is it worth for someone to put a gun for sale on a forum and then hold up the buyer? Yeah you get his money but that is the last time you can sell on the site or any other gun auction site. They are all linked in some way and exchange information. Not to mention that they can track the computer TCP/IP back to him or the computer he is using. Here is what Gunbroker says about selling:

How to Sell at GunBroker.com

This page contains a tutorial on how to sell your item at GunBroker.com.

Can I sell here?
Anyone who is legally allowed to own an item is allowed to buy or sell it here. The following information is not intended to be a complete guide to all applicable laws. It is your responsibility to be in compliance with all Federal, state, and local laws when using this site.

What does legally allowed mean? You must be an adult who is able to enter into a contract. Anyone desiring to purchase a firearm must be able to pass a background check ( Click here for the ATF web site for more information ). There are age limits on the sale of certain items. And certain types of items are illegal in certain places - for example 'assault weapons' cannot be sold in California and certain types of ammunition are illegal in certain states and cities. The NRA also has put together a terrific state-by-state gun laws guide. The ATF has compiled information on the various state laws; click here to view this information. Again, it is your responsibility to make sure that you comply with the laws of your country, city, and state. We do not tolerate attempted illegal activity here!

You do not have to be a licensed dealer to sell a firearm. By Federal law, the person to whom you ship the gun must be a licensed dealer. If the buyer is not a licensed dealer, the buyer must make arrangements with a licensed dealer in his state to receive the firearm and transfer it to the buyer. We have very in-depth information on shipping firearms legally on our Firearm Shipping Guide page. Never, under any circumstances, ship a firearm without following the steps on the Firearm Shipping Guide page! Shipping illegally is a felony and will earn you a one-way ticket to prison.

If you are purchasing from a private individual have the gun serial number run before you give the money. I did that here in Panama City once. I called the PC police and they sent a squad car. I gave the officer the gun and he ran the number for me and I got an answer from his dispatcher after about five minutes of waiting. I then handed the cash to the seller and got my receipt. I did that also a few months back with a gun a young man gave me to hold until he paid me some money he owed me. I took the serial number to the sheriff's office and they ran the serial number for me and told me it was not on any hot sheet.

 

[mrengles]

... how do you know that when you go to meet someone to buy a gun that they won't just pull the gun on you, take your money and shoot you...

I would recommend you sell the firearm unloaded.


But seriously you had a great question, the posts following were very informative. This Forum is GREAT!

 

[henryher]

I would recommend you sell the firearm unloaded.


But seriously you had a great question, the posts following were very informative. This Forum is GREAT!

Actually, he is buying not selling so he has no control over that.

I would say if you are going to pick it up bring someone along and stay alert. If its a bad neighborhood stay away. Get a cell phone number to contact him on. Make sure you ask for ID and take down the license number. Make sure you give him ID also. Let him know you will be going to the nearest police station to have the gun checked out. If he gets nervous or doesn't like the idea don't give him the money. You may want to call the local sheriff's office and ask if they can have a deputy on the scene to call the gun serial number in.

 

[Steve48]

How do i go about keeping the transfer safe?

I'd ask the seller to meet me at my favorite gun shop- with the owner's permission, of course. That way you not only have someone else looking on, but you're conducting a public transaction in an environment where people don't mind seeing firearms being displayed.

 

[T.S.]

I would not buy face to face from someone I did not know or trust. I want to be sure the firearm I buy was not stolen or used in a crime. For that measure of safety, I'm willing to pay $25 for an FFL to handle the transaction. I want to know the gun isn't on a hotsheet somewhere before I buy it.
YMMV.
- Str8Shooter

I have not used this site, but I found it on one of my Google Searches and kept it in case I ever needed it.

http://pas.fdle.state.fl.us/pas/item/displayGunSearch.a

This database contains Florida stolen property information as reported to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement by law enforcement agencies throughout the state and authorized for release to the public.

 

[Rvrctyrngr]

I have not used this site, but I found it on one of my Google Searches and kept it in case I ever needed it.

That's a very useful site. Used it a few times for myself and buds that were buying FTF. Haven't turned up anything 'Hot' yet...which is good.

 

[ron8903]

http://pas.fdle.state.fl.us/pas/item/displayGunSearch.a

This is what I use to check ser# in Florida only.
Sorry for the double post, didnt read all the entries in this thread

 

[Cthulhu]

Also, most folks aren't going to buy a gun FTF from any Tom, Dick, or Hannibal they run across on the street. Many are initiated from gun clubs, gun ranges, or forums like these, where there is some time of common ground or familiarity between buyer and seller at the beginning.

-JT

 

[T.S.]

Also, most folks aren't going to buy a gun FTF from any Tom, Dick, or Hannibal they run across on the street. -JT

What?? Who wouldn't buy a firearm from a guy like this?

 

[Rvrctyrngr]

What?? Who wouldn't buy a firearm from a guy like this?

You need help, TSsgt!
:rolf

 

[T.S.]

You need help, TSsgt!
:rolf

Thank you, I will take that as a compliment!! :laughing

 

[Rvrctyrngr]

As it was intended, sir!

 

[Mickstix]

Meet at the gun range.. That way you can even try out your new piece before ya buy it! And if they were thinkin about rippin ya off, they'll think twice since they wont have the only loaded weapon in the area..

 

[capngeo]

Meet at the gun range.. That way you can even try out your new piece before ya buy it! And if they were thinkin about rippin ya off, they'll think twice since they wont have the only loaded weapon in the area..

THAT is a good idea!:drinks

 

[Seafoxfla]

That's a very useful site. Used it a few times for myself and buds that were buying FTF. Haven't turned up anything 'Hot' yet...which is good.

+1. I've used it prior to purchase and trade on 3 occasions as I do prefer to buy FTF. Just ask the seller to send you a photo of the gun showing the serial # prior to meeting and just verify it's the same serial# when you pick it up. BTW, I will only deal with CWL holders from the forums I frequent and FTF at a range or in a public area. I also carry concealed during the transaction.