one45auto
May 19, 2004, 01:15 PM
I'd like to relate a cautionary tale so that those who may find themselves in similar circumstances will know what to do. Briefly, the facts are these.
Two weeks ago I spotted a used Smith&Wesson model 625 on an Internet website and contacted the seller to arrange the sale. Per proper procedure I notified my FFL dealer and provided the seller with all the necessary information - the dealers' name, street address, telephone number, and hours of operation. I then obtained a cashiers check for the full amount including shipping and sent it straight away via Priority Mail. As is my custom in such cases, I used my post office box as the return address since I am not a trusting soul when it comes to giving total strangers my actual address.
Three days later, after confirming that payment had indeed been received, I again wrote to ask whether he had contacted my dealer in order to obtain an estimated shipping date. However he promptly replied to say that the gun had already gone out that morning and would likely arrive by the end of the week. I thought no more of it and resigned myself to patience, since those of us in Maryland are accustomed to waiting for our firearms. :rolleyes:
On the following Saturday I went to the post office to collect my mail on the offhand chance that a DVD I'd ordered from e-Bay had arrived and was delighted to see a parcel slip in my box. However my enthusiasm soon turned to controlled panic when I collected the package and saw the seller's name on the box. As unbelievable as it may seem, he'd mailed the gun directly to me by using the return address on the Priority envelope! :eek: Naturally I gave nothing away and accepted the delivery as though it were an ordinary parcel, but once in the safety of my car I was a nervous wreck. The instant I arrived home I opened the box and sure enough, there was the gun. Great...just great. Now what was I going to do??
I spent an uneasy weekend wondering whether I were the potential victim of some ATF sting operation or just an innocent spectator of someone else's circus of stupidity. This individual had certainly stepped in some manure and tracked it all over my proverbial carpeting, but worse still I wasn't sure to what extent my own shoes had now been soiled by accepting the delivery - but then what could I have done? After thinking it over I resolved that first thing Monday morning I would take the gun straight to my FFL dealer and ask their advice. As planned, I was in the shop shortly after they opened the doors whereupon I carefully explained the situation to them. They likewise gave the matter some thought and suggested that I take it to the nearest State Police facility to register it.
After thanking them for their help I drove straight down to the State Police barracks where I was met with the utmost courtesy. The officer patiently listened to my story and then gave me the forms (4473) to fill out. Afterwards he examined the gun and filled in the necessary information (make, model, serial number, etc.) before giving me two copies of each to keep with the gun. He was extremely friendly and told me to go ahead and retain the gun unless it turned up stolen, in which case he'd naturally have to come and collect it. I told him I'd expect no less and would hold onto the sellers name and personal information for two weeks just in case he should need it. We shook hands and I drove home feeling better than I had in days now that that weight was lifted from my shoulders - whew! To top it all off, it turns out that there's no charge for background checks when you voluntarily register. :D
So, all's well that ends well but beware - not everyone out there seems to be paying close attention to detail and despite explicit instructions wires can and do get crossed.
Two weeks ago I spotted a used Smith&Wesson model 625 on an Internet website and contacted the seller to arrange the sale. Per proper procedure I notified my FFL dealer and provided the seller with all the necessary information - the dealers' name, street address, telephone number, and hours of operation. I then obtained a cashiers check for the full amount including shipping and sent it straight away via Priority Mail. As is my custom in such cases, I used my post office box as the return address since I am not a trusting soul when it comes to giving total strangers my actual address.
Three days later, after confirming that payment had indeed been received, I again wrote to ask whether he had contacted my dealer in order to obtain an estimated shipping date. However he promptly replied to say that the gun had already gone out that morning and would likely arrive by the end of the week. I thought no more of it and resigned myself to patience, since those of us in Maryland are accustomed to waiting for our firearms. :rolleyes:
On the following Saturday I went to the post office to collect my mail on the offhand chance that a DVD I'd ordered from e-Bay had arrived and was delighted to see a parcel slip in my box. However my enthusiasm soon turned to controlled panic when I collected the package and saw the seller's name on the box. As unbelievable as it may seem, he'd mailed the gun directly to me by using the return address on the Priority envelope! :eek: Naturally I gave nothing away and accepted the delivery as though it were an ordinary parcel, but once in the safety of my car I was a nervous wreck. The instant I arrived home I opened the box and sure enough, there was the gun. Great...just great. Now what was I going to do??
I spent an uneasy weekend wondering whether I were the potential victim of some ATF sting operation or just an innocent spectator of someone else's circus of stupidity. This individual had certainly stepped in some manure and tracked it all over my proverbial carpeting, but worse still I wasn't sure to what extent my own shoes had now been soiled by accepting the delivery - but then what could I have done? After thinking it over I resolved that first thing Monday morning I would take the gun straight to my FFL dealer and ask their advice. As planned, I was in the shop shortly after they opened the doors whereupon I carefully explained the situation to them. They likewise gave the matter some thought and suggested that I take it to the nearest State Police facility to register it.
After thanking them for their help I drove straight down to the State Police barracks where I was met with the utmost courtesy. The officer patiently listened to my story and then gave me the forms (4473) to fill out. Afterwards he examined the gun and filled in the necessary information (make, model, serial number, etc.) before giving me two copies of each to keep with the gun. He was extremely friendly and told me to go ahead and retain the gun unless it turned up stolen, in which case he'd naturally have to come and collect it. I told him I'd expect no less and would hold onto the sellers name and personal information for two weeks just in case he should need it. We shook hands and I drove home feeling better than I had in days now that that weight was lifted from my shoulders - whew! To top it all off, it turns out that there's no charge for background checks when you voluntarily register. :D
So, all's well that ends well but beware - not everyone out there seems to be paying close attention to detail and despite explicit instructions wires can and do get crossed.
