Buying a "blue label" handgun

[Jiggle]

A couple months ago I purchased a Glock 21 through a private sale. The seller seemed like a decent enough guy and he is a prominent member of a forum that I frequent, so I had no reservations about buying from him. The box has the blue label which is marked "Restricted LE/Govt sales only". The magazines that came with the gun have the same markings. He said that he purchased the gun from a friend (the original LE owner). I was just wondering if this all seems normal and legal. This is my first hangun, as well as my first private sale.

Also, how does an LEO go about selling his/her duty weapon? Is this just a weapon that they purchased privately through their department? And if the gun/mag is ever examined during a traffic stop or otherwise, do I have any reason to be nervous?

 

[Wopasaurus]

I wouldn't sweat it. The only times they really say "LAW ENFORCEMENT" on the magazines is if they were manufactured/imported/etc... during a high-capacity ban or something.

If your friend has it, especially sold to by a cop, I'd assume it's legal

 

[VHinch]

Nothing to worry about. If I recall correctly, the "blue label" Glocks are sold to dealers at a slightly better price with the caveat that they pass the savings along to law enforcement officers, I believe they also come with an extra magazine. A local dealer in my area offers these to law enforcement at like $379 new, but there is no restriction that the gun can not be resold.

 

[doc2rn]

When the Topeka PD decided that they did not want to pay for better ammo to cycle their Glock .40s they switched back to 9mm Glocks and where allowed to buy back their .40s at a bargain price of ~$300.

 

[skinewmexico]

My FFL told me at one time even firemen could buy those Glocks at a discount. And somtimes flipped them for a quick buck.

 

[Robert Hairless]

Not to worry. Law enforcement firearms and magazines are frequently on the market, they're not always marked, and law enforcement officers aren't their only source.

 

[eng23ine]

FYI, Firefighters and Medics can still buy "blue label" Glocks at a nicely discounted price...Its part of some homeland security thing that Glock has been running for several years.

IIRC, there is a place on the order form that you have to sign stating that you are not buying to resell it.

 

[Jiggle]

So does the "blue label" thing only apply to Glocks or is it a designation required to be used by any manufacturer on guns being sold to LE?

 

[VHinch]

It's a Glock thing, others may have similar programs, but that's the only one I am aware of.

 

[Hanzerik]

I bought my Glock 19 from a LEO dealer down in Denver. Got it for $394 NIB with 3 hi-cap mags. I am Military and qualified for the discount.

There is a big thread on this discount program over on GlockTalk.com

 

[Hanzerik]

Forgot to add, mine didn't come in a blue box/label. The dealer threw in the extra mag to meet the program requirements from Glock.

I think compact and fullsize come with 3 mags, and the subcompacts come with 2.

 

[coyotehitman]

the "blue label" Glocks are sold to dealers at a slightly better price with the caveat that they pass the savings along to law enforcement officers, I believe they also come with an extra magazine. A local dealer in my area offers these to law enforcement at like $379 new, but there is no restriction that the gun can not be resold.

This is correct. The only stipulation is that the gun cannot be purchased for resale. As in, he buys the gun for 379.00 today and sells it to you for 500.00 tomorrow. All is OK unless you live in a mag capacity restriction state.

 

[coloradokevin]

Nothing to worry about. If I recall correctly, the "blue label" Glocks are sold to dealers at a slightly better price with the caveat that they pass the savings along to law enforcement officers, I believe they also come with an extra magazine. A local dealer in my area offers these to law enforcement at like $379 new, but there is no restriction that the gun can not be resold.

I think you probably hit the nail on the head here...

My duty weapon, a Glock 37, was purchased by me from a LE distributor (these guys sell guns to guys with department letterhead, but don't sell to the public). The stipulation that we were told was that they were not to be purchased for "immediate resale".

Anyway, I just pulled out the box to check, and it has the "blue" label. I also bought mine NIB for the $379 range that you quoted above.

Nevertheless, it is MY gun, and I paid for it with MY money (not the department's). If I want to sell the gun it is completely legal for me to do so, and I know a lot of guys on my department who are on their third or fourth duty weapon (having sold the others).

On an inter-related question: Why is receiver on my department issued (non-select fire) Colt AR-15 stamped with "Government and LE use only"??? It is identical to the "civilian" models being sold today, and I got the rifle NIB after the AWB had sunset by a couple of years...

I bought my Glock 19 from a LEO dealer down in Denver. Got it for $394 NIB with 3 hi-cap mags. I am Military and qualified for the discount.

Bet we went to the same place... located off of Osage I believe (formerly located on Federal Blvd). Only guys I knew of at the time in the area that were doing the LE sales, and certainly the biggest.

 

[cocojo]

It's my understanding that you have to keep the gun one year prior to resale.

 

[coyotehitman]

On an inter-related question: Why is receiver on my department issued (non-select fire) Colt AR-15 stamped with "Government and LE use only"??? It is identical to the "civilian" models being sold today, and I got the rifle NIB after the AWB had sunset by a couple of years...

All the Colt AR's I have seen recently have had this stamp. A Colt AR15Sporter I bought during the ban, however, did not have it. My guess is that Colt is only focusing on the LE/Govt market and did not see the need to remove the marking.