[Flame Red]

Wanted to find out how you all handle local face-to-face transfers when selling guns thru the internet. I have sold at the Fun Shows before, but never had an individual meet me one-on-one.

In particular, I would like suggestions on gun friendly places that one could meet, as I assume meeting at my house is not the best idea. Any other suggestions or stories you might have to make sure it goes well.

I will ask for a CWP, to make sure all local laws are obeyed.

[Fun2Shoot]

That's a good question. I have never sold a firearm to someone other than a friend or dealer.

Just off the top of my head, I'd say that meeting in the parking lot of an open sporting good store that sells guns would be a good start. People wouldn't be alarmed to see firearms out in public. :eek:

I'd bring a friend with me as back-up and if I had the slightest sense of something not being on the up and up, I'd bail in a heart beat.

I'll be interested in the responses to your topic.

[Jiml3]

I have made several private sales. I set the meeting up at the county rifle & pistol range. I first get the other persons name, phone number and the name of the town he lives in. Check the info out in the local telephone white pages. If it checks out, I call him and set up a meet. I also advise a close friend or family member with this persons info and tell them when and where the meet is to take place. After the meet is over, I call to say how things went.
As Ronald Regan said, "Trust but verify."
The purchase takes place at the Registration Office. In my area, it's at police headquarters.
Hope that helps!!

[Innova]

If you are both travelling to meet, I normally set it up in a place I know will have a large and well lit parking lot (wal-mart). You can have a bill of sale if it makes you more comfortable. I agree with the letting others know where you are going and when to expect your return. I also usually have another friend with me who is armed incase shtf. It never hurts to be carefull.

[Beatnik]

I just bought a pistol FTF through a guy I work with. Good-friend-of-a-good-friend type of thing.

I was watching for good and bad points the whole time, and here's what I picked up on.

-The seller offered to write up a bill of sale... I didn't have to ask for it. Which makes sense, since the bill of sale is more to protect the seller. But it was still nice not to have to explain what a bill of sale is and why I want one.

-The seller offered to let me take it to the range before committing, since we both know our go-between really well.

-The pistol looked like it had never fired a jacketed round, but otherwise was in good condition - and it had matching serial numbers. If the serial numbers didn't match, or they were ground off, I would have bailed.

-The pistol was in its original case, with an owner's manual, which also tells me that it's probably not hot.

We ended up exchanging in the parking lot at work, brown-paper-bag style, so as not to be tossing pistols around in public. I got to examine it at home before committing, if you can do that (maybe put money down) then I'd recommend it, especially since you get to shoot it, field strip it, and clean it.

I would probably not be too worried about having people meet me at my house. It's a gun, I'm trying to buy it. I would probably bring up in friendly conversation the fact that it's not my first - let him know, nicely, that your house is defended.

[jmorris]

http://thehighroad.org/forumdisplay.php?f=24 Begin by a search in that link of the user name. If they are a new member of the forum I tend to be more cautious, many might have references on another forum. I have found everyone I’ve bought/sold/traded with (FTF) to be honest and up front, to the point that I prefer FTF. I do get phone and email contact info (at least) and ask for references. The best locations are places where one might expect to see guns (sporting good parking lot, gun range). You will also want to know what they are going to be driving, so your not walking up on the wrong person.

[Bob79]

I have done it. You'll get a feeling if something is "weird" with the other party. Remember if you have any doubt, re-think it. I have always done a bill of sale, with both parties addresses. This shows you reasonably believed they lived in the same state as you. I also put something in there along the lines of "the below signed swears they can legally possess a firearm/ammo". I also like to see their state ID, and I show mine as well.

I haven't done it, but I suppose it's not a bad idea to have your friend/family with you, or maybe follow you in another car?

[Flame Red]

Good info. Actually I was selling, but the info is good for buying too. I stick to the gun shows when I am buying as I think I get better deals there.

My brother-in-law did volunteer to sit in another car and watch it go down. He is quiet good at head shots - at least on paper.

I like the idea of getting a name/phone/address and doing a lookup then calling to verify. That seems like the best assurance.

I was not sure about going armed, might be a good way for a bad guy to get two for the price of one - but I suppose it is better to be prepared than unarmed.

I like the idea of trying before buying - would have saved me buying so many headaches at the fun shows if they had a mobile range trailer. But I bet the dealers selling the junkers would put a stop to that!

Good tips, keep them coming!

[30 cal slob]

this is an interesting thread.

the only FTF's i've ever done are with people i've known personally and trust (and who have been vetted by my home state with a CCW).

this has been mentioned before - if meeting a perfect stranger, offer to meet at a local shooting range or even a local police department, county sheriff's office, etc. i have been pleasantly surprised at how supportive local law enforcement has been in offering to help in these situations (example: running a background check on the buyer even if none is required).

prior to the transaction - ask for details (example: personal info on a CCW) and do some checking of the bona fides prior to the meet.

truth be told, i'd prefer an FFL to handle all of my transfer needs (takes the liability out of my hands).

[eastwood44mag]

Get a receipt or use your feet.

If they don't want to give you a paper-trail, something's wrong.

[kludge]

Personally (though legally it's not a problem) I would not sell to anyone who did not have a handgun permit.

[daysleeprx]

I stick to the gun shows when I am buying as I think I get better deals there.


Really?? :confused:

[fugi]

it depends on your state laws, here in texas you just can't sell to them if you know they're underage or a felon, etc. I've sold quite a few locally, I'll generally just have them come over to my house, it's a private place where they can inspect it at their leisure and comfortably. If I don't trust them enough after a phone conversation to have them in my home, there's no way I'd sell it to them anywhere else. I've met a couple times in parking lots because of the driving distance, never asked for ID or a carry permit as I'd be offended if someone wanted to scribble down my information for "liability".

[03Shadowbob]

right fugi. I've never actually sold to someone other than close friends but I don't think FL law requires the seller or buyer to do anything. If wrong, please let me know. Thanks.

[fugi]

florida law regarding firearms is about the same as texas as far as I know.

[yongxingfreesty]

all my FTF deals have been smooth. i just give them the money, they give me the goods or vice versa.

i use to take down their information for reference, but i dont do that anymore as I have been told you dont have to.

[JohnKSa]

I usually arrange to meet at a local range.

I follow state and federal laws in making the sale/purchase. NOTHING more.

[brett30030]

Most of my used gun purchases are with strangers. I always provide a bill of sale, and make certain that we both verify information from each others DL. I usually meet in a public place, although i have done it at a sellers home before. I am always armed when i meet them (usually with 2 concealed handguns). I do the bill of sale not because of any requirement, but because i want to make certain that i am safe from not only criminal liability, but also to reduce any civil liability.

[8830]

I've done a lot of FTF trades, buys and sells here in Texas. I only remember doing one at night and it was in a well lit parking lot. I always talk with the other guy before driving to meet them and to get a feel. I never ask for bill of sale, IDs or anything like that. If a bill of sale is offered then I'll take it. I've had deals with cops, chefs, truck drivers, secret service & FBI agents, doctors, computer techs, strip club owners, etc. Never had a bad FTF. I've met in grocery store parking lots, convenience store parking lots, Cabela's, the Texas Ranger Museum, and any other parking lot that looked good.

[Gary G23]

I normally meet at a range. Keep in mind that both parties have to reside in the same state for a FTF transfer. Minimum age requirements also apply. Also the laws vary by state.
Where I live now (KY) no record keeping is required.
Where I used to live (IL) even a FTF transfer required:
1. The buyer to have an Illinois Firearm Owners ID Card
2. Waiting periods DID apply
3. A record of the sale for ten years
4. If the sale was at a gunshow a background check was required
So check your own laws carefully.

[GunNut]

Get Cash, Give them the gun.

Nothing more, nothing less.

Steve