selling a used gun

[sixstringsteve]

Ok guys, help me out. I'm selling one of my used guns, but I'm not familiar with any laws/safety precautions to take when selling a gun. How do I make sure I'm not selling it to someone who shouldn't have it? I know they do a background check when I buy a new gun, but how do you protect yourself (and others) when selling a used gun?

 

[Badger]

As far as I know!?!?!?!

If they are over the age of 18 for a rifle or 21 for a pistol (18 with consenting adult) you can sell it to who ever you want. You are not responsible for a person that shouldn't own a gun buying one. If they know they shouldn't and they do buy it. It's on them not you.

I usually protect myself buy taking a scan or picture of the driver license as well as printing out a bill of sale for them to sign and for me to keep on record.

 

[SAMI]

I always fill out a bill of sale with their address, DL #, phone #'s etc; and the description of the firearm w/ serial number.

In the bill of sale you can include wording that the burden of proof of legality is up to the buyer. A lot of people do this by stating that they will only sell to someone with a current CFP. That way they are already checked out and good to go. It's an easy way to cover your ass.

 

[sixstringsteve]

that's what I needed to know. Thanks.

 

[Toad]

I think alot of guys require a CFP permit when selling private party. I would at least get a photo copy of drivers lisence and fill out a bill of sale. I might also consider filling out the form that transfers ownership and tell them that you will drop it in the mail.

 

[sixstringsteve]

what's a CFP? Is that a concealed firearm permit?

 

[SAMI]

what's a CFP? Is that a concealed firearm permit?

Yes

 

[Stephen]

I usually file off the serial number as well.

What gun are you trying to sell? If it's a 10/22, let me know!

 

[sixstringsteve]

It's a Walther pk380. Almost new, only put 60 rounds through it.

 

[DAA]

All I've ever done when selling is require cash and give a bill of sale.

All I've ever done when buying is hand over the cash. I wouldn't let a private citizen I was buying from copy my DL, or even look at it, or anything else, for that matter. If my cash wasn't green enough, I'd tell the seller to stick it and just walk. That's just me though.

- DAA

 

[Skylinerider]

All I've ever done when selling is require cash and give a bill of sale.

All I've ever done when buying is hand over the cash. I wouldn't let a private citizen I was buying from copy my DL, or even look at it, or anything else, for that matter. If my cash wasn't green enough, I'd tell the seller to stick it and just walk. That's just me though.

- DAA

X2 No reason Joe Shmoe needs my DL#.

 

[SAMI]

Come to think of it, I don't take down DL # and I do agree that I wouldn't feel good about leaving a ton of info with someone.. Perhaps, I may rethink my approach to paperwork involved in selling a firearm.

 

[Spork]

What's the point in the Bill of sale? It's not like a gun is licensed or registered...

 

[SAMI]

What's the point in the Bill of sale? It's not like a gun is licensed or registered...

You do bring up a good point.. I guess I've always just considered it proof that I sold it for the - what if situation.. Just good to have?

But like you said, since we don't register them; who cares? Again, I'm rethinking my practices on this one.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Why the bill of sale?

Gun 123456 is used in a crime, lets go to the land of make believe and say it was left behind at the scene of a crime. The authorities will then run the serial #, no record of being stolen. They then contact the manufacture, they are required to keep records of who the gun was sold to, they call AAA Gun Store, they also are required to keep the records of who the gun was sold to, then then call you. Wouldn't you feel better handing them a copy of a bill of sale with a photocopy of the ID of the person you sold it to? I mean they obviously can't convict you on just owning the gun but I'd much rather shove a piece of paper at them then explain the circumstances of selling a gun to some random.

 

[SAMI]

Damnit, now i'm rethinking that rethinking of changin my practices.

 

[Spork]

Why the bill of sale?

Gun 123456 is used in a crime, lets go to the land of make believe and say it was left behind at the scene of a crime. The authorities will then run the serial #, no record of being stolen. They then contact the manufacture, they are required to keep records of who the gun was sold to, they call AAA Gun Store, they also are required to keep the records of who the gun was sold to, then then call you. Wouldn't you feel better handing them a copy of a bill of sale with a photocopy of the ID of the person you sold it to? I mean they obviously can't convict you on just owning the gun but I'd much rather shove a piece of paper at them then explain the circumstances of selling a gun to some random.

Which goes back to do you let people look at your ID? Up until last month when I got my drivers license renewed my old license had my Social Security number on it.

 

[DAA]

I only give a bill of sale because buyers usually want one. If the buyer doesn't care, neither do I. Completely paperless transactions are fine by me. I never ask for one as the buyer, myself.

Honestly, I've done a lot of used gun private transactions. Probably close to a hundred? Never, in a face to face transaction, has a seller asked me for anything except the money. If one had ever asked for my DL, let alone asked to copy it, I'd have bailed on the deal based purely on the wierdness factor alone. I mean, that would be strange, in the extreme, in my experience?

- DAA

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Which goes back to do you let people look at your ID? Up until last month when I got my drivers license renewed my old license had my Social Security number on it.

Write a check? Use your credit card at a post office? go to a bar in Utah? Your ID is everywhere. I wouldn't use an ID with my SS# on it but my DL# has been pre-printed on my checks in the past.

 

[Skylinerider]

I can see a bill of sale just like you do when you buy a car from joe shmoe, but I am very hesitant to provide some schmuck with any form of my ID.