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There are many reasons to sell one or more guns. Perhaps you are looking for something better and more advanced. Perhaps you’ve received an unexpected bill. You might have too many guns. Private gun sales can sometimes be difficult to navigate if you don’t have a Federal Firearm License (FFL). We can help you sell your gun.
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Private Gun Sales: Finding a Gun Buyer
Finding a buyer for your guns is the hardest part of any gun sales. Your best bet is to always utilize local sources–specifically a friend or family member. Even if you have to sell your firearm at a lower price, the convenience factor can still be valuable. It can be difficult to ship a firearm from one FFL, to another.
If your social media is not sufficient, you might consider placing ads at your local range if they allow it. Many small local ranges have a corkboard that allows you to place ads for private firearms. This is often free or for a small fee. This is your next step in terms of exposure.
Consider getting to know your local range officers and staff before you sell. They may be able to help you find the right person. Be polite if this happens. As your sale wouldn’t have been possible without them, send a little cash to the RO.
Your last stop should be an online site like GunBroker.com and Armslist.com. Although listing your firearm requires fees and is a complex process, your reach is much greater.
Firearm Sale
First, follow all federal and state laws! It is your responsibility as the seller to be familiar with the gun laws in the United States. The ATF’s website has a section called “State Laws and Published Ordnance” that provides information about firearm transfers by state.
There are several ways to protect yourself when selling private firearms. It is strongly recommended that you take your firearm to an FFL licensed dealer along with the buyer, and have them perform a NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System). This protects both the private seller and the buyer.
If you are unable to go through the FFL route for any reason, it may be possible to sell your property privately from one person to another depending on the laws in your state. If this is the case, as the seller you will need to generate a receipt.
The receipt should include the date, the time, the firearm being sold (including the serial number), and a copy the buyer’s driver license. A receipt is helpful if you are ever contacted by law enforcement about the firearm.
Take Extra Care to Protect Yourself
It is a smart idea to ensure that you don’t sell your product to the wrong person, as new laws are in effect across the country. It is strongly recommended that you obtain a NICS check prior to selling. This will allow you to identify anyone with a criminal record or history of domestic violence.
The number of states that prohibit the sale of firearms to anyone younger than 21 is also growing. Many of these states, along with D.C. allow the sale of long guns to people under 18. As with all aspects of the process, it is important to understand the laws in your state about age limits.
Where is the Gun Transaction?
If you are selling in person, you will need to agree on a public place. You should choose a location where the firearm is less likely to be noticed, which will make it easier for law enforcement to alert you. Parking lots with ranges can be a good option. However, make sure you follow the rules and keep your firearm in a case.
It may seem like selling guns in the parking lot at a gun show is gun-friendly, but it would be frowned upon. It is also illegal in many states, including New York, Connecticut, Illinois, New York, Oregon, Colorado, Illinois, New York and New York. Remember that gun shows make their income from the sale booths. They make no money if you are selling in the lot. Many gun shows have signs that prohibit private sales in the parking lot or on the floor.
It is always a good idea to have someone with you, both as a witness or in the event of bad intentions. The chances of this happening are very slim, based on years of experience.
If you plan to ship your firearm online, you will need to find an FFL that is willing to ship it. The buyer will also need to find a local FFL who is willing to receive the firearm.
Remember that major mail companies have different policies about ammunition and firearms. Before you decide on which company to use for shipping, make sure to visit their websites.
The FFL will often handle shipping and only charge you for it. Remember that these companies can be difficult on packaging so pack appropriately. The goal is to ensure that the firearm does not move in the box.
Accepting payment for the gun sale
Cash is king, just like everything else in the world. It’s so much easier. It might not be possible in all cases. Online services like PayPal or Zelle can be very useful in this situation. You will not be protected if you pay an additional fee, and they will not provide any buyer protection. The common 3% fee is worth it as a precaution. It is important to label/name online transfers generically. This can lead to other problems.
The buyer should first send the funds. This is a good etiquette practice. Once payment is received, the seller will ship and verify shipment.
An FFL-toFFL transfer has another advantage: you are protected in this portion of the transaction. FFL’s may be able to help with the transfer of funds, but this is subject to a fee. GunBroker handles all of these payment steps, so there are no fees.
Although selling guns is easy, there are many ways to do it right. Private gun sales are easy and straightforward if done correctly.
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