Private sale, or off paper gun sales?

[mig7410]

Many of my friends prefer to buy their guns though a private sale, or off paper. They can legally buy guns at a store but prefer not to leave a paper trail.
Is there any benefit in doing this? It seems like the prices are not such a good deal compaired to just buying a brand new gun at a store.

 

[3pairs12]

I think generally you can get them cheaper and maybe with some goodies that you would have to track down and buy later if you went the brand new route. Some people just want to keep their guns invisible and thats not a bad idea. I am niether here nor there. There are a good number of guns that Ilike and they don't make anymore ala private sale.

 

[atblis]

No taxes
No paperwork
In many states, you can buy handguns when you're 18.

 

[TexasRifleman]

Is there any benefit in doing this? It seems like the prices are not such a good deal compaired to just buying a brand new gun at a store.

There are literally thousands and thousands of models that you can't buy new at a store any longer. Out of production, out of stock, custom models, etc.

That alone is a good reason why people do private sales.

Staying "off paper" may be attractive to some but that's not the primary reason for doing private sales for most people I don't think.

Many times it's the only way to get what you really want.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

What TexasRifleman said +1.

 

[Cosmoline]

If you know where to look the prices can be lower ftf than at the FFL. I've gotten some deals that almost make me feel guilty. Almost. Folks who are selling their dead uncle's guns or just cleaning house aren't usually interested in turning a profit, so they'll be happy to recoup 80% of what they paid or less. No store can afford to do that.

As far as staying under the radar, it's true there's no NICS forms, but there is a guy who meets you, shakes your hand, knows your email and phone, probably knows a little about you and maybe where you live or work. And there's probably an email exchange. It's not as if you'd be able to get up to mischief with any impunity.

 

[DMK]

I never got the whole "no paperwork, under the radar" thing. OK, so say the govt decides to confiscate everyone's guns. They come get your guns that are recorded in the gun shop's bound books. But you still have a couple undocumented private purchases. Now what? You are now armed with an illegal weapon. You can't shoot it at the range. Even if you defended yourself with it, you'd be going to jail for the felony weapons charge.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Generally the gun is a "good deal" or I wouldn't be buying it.
No taxes.
No paper trail.

Just two days ago I bought a beautiful 2 inch S&W Model 10 FTF.
Swap money, swap gun.
I love it when I can end a paper trail on a gun.

 

[oneounceload]

Now what? You are now armed with an illegal weapon. You can't shoot it at the range. Even if you defended yourself with it, you'd be going to jail for the felony weapons charge.

To some folks, it feels like an insurance policy....they will still have a gun for survival or defense - whether against criminals or their gov't......some folks view that as an option worth having....whether that is something you value, you will have to determine

 

[hogshead]

not if you hide the body.

 

[Bruno2]

DMK ;The govt comes and confiscates your guns "now you have an illegal gun "

I am pretty sure the whole "take it to the range" deal is pretty much out of the picture at this point .

Yes you then would have an illegal gun to defend yourself against a tyrranical govt .

I like the cash and carry for the most part b/c it shows the Brady bunch that bg check law is pointless .

BG checks dont keep criminals from buying guns and if for some reason buying guns period became illegal then this wouldnt keep the criminals from having them either .

 

[FROGO207]

It really doesn't matter if there is a paper trail or not. If you can sell FTF legally then you could "sell" your firearm to "someone" not known or remembered. Where is it now? You are not required to keep track of where it went, only to make sure the buyer is legally able to own. Your memory may be bad and it gets "put away"with ammo and forgotten until above posters situation happens. Or did you "sell" it because of needed cash or it got broke? You will never need this however as the gov will not ever take your guns.

 

[huntsman]

Is there any benefit in doing this?

yes if no paper trail is important to you.

the paper trail started in 1968 so there was a whole bunch of gun sales that never needed any paper at all.

 

[CapnMac]

Well, there's a benefit the other way. You can sell FTF for more than you'd get taking the same item into a pawn shop or gun store--best they'd likely front is half retail. FTF you can get much closer to 3/4 retail, and it's still a good deal for the buyer and for the seller

 

[Kor]

I never got the whole "no paperwork, under the radar" thing. OK, so say the govt decides to confiscate everyone's guns. They come get your guns that are recorded in the gun shop's bound books. But you still have a couple undocumented private purchases. Now what? You are now armed with an illegal weapon. You can't shoot it at the range. Even if you defended yourself with it, you'd be going to jail for the felony weapons charge.

1. Take as much training and get as proficient as you can, BEFORE gun possession is criminalized;

2. You can still dry-fire in the privacy of your own home, unless the government has installed surveillance cameras in addition to criminalizing gun possession;

3. If gun possession has been criminalized, and you defend yourself with an off-paper gun - assuming there are no witnesses, BEAT FEET AND DITCH THE GUN. If it's really off-paper, if/when the gun is found, the first door that gets knocked on will be the first purchaser of record...just hope that, for your sake, he develops amnesia, keeps very poor records(if at all), or dies of (un)natural causes before he is interrogated;

4. Felony gun possession charge or not, AT LEAST YOU'RE STILL ALIVE. If things are really so bad that you'd rather be DEAD than in prison, maybe it IS a good idea to have one or two off-paper guns...

 

[Isher]

Hmmm, unconfuse me -

Can anyone quote me chapter and verse in either

Federal or State Law that requires

1.) The intervention of a licensed gun dealer in a private party sale, other
than sending through the mail, and

2.) The required registration of any and all guns in your posession?


just curious

isher

 

[wishn4more]

Ever heard of HR 45?

If it passes, then it it the answer to both your points. Yeah it's real. It's still active in House Subcommittee. Look it up, we need to be active to make sure it doesn't happen.

 

[PT1911]

this PAPER TRAIL.. is rediculous.. lets see.. no registration in alabama... what happened to the gun you purchased 5 years, 5 weeks, 5 days, or 5 minutes ago?

"You know what.. I sold that gun.. I realized it was an impulse buy and really could not afford it. His name? Oh man, I will try to find it for you."


if you are doing it for a good deal, go for it.. but, at this point, in the free world (california excluded) your paper trail is nothing to worry about....

 

[bigfatdave]

Ever heard of HR 45?

Well, at least you didn't start yet another new thread on this tired and silly subject.
Read the Snopes article for a real evaluation of HR45, please ... it has died a quiet death in committee with no sponsors before, and it will again. There are more immediate infringments on your civil rights to worry about.

 

[D-Day]

I do it mainly because I can find a better deal than at a shop/dealer on the particular models I like, and there's more opportunity to haggle on the price. Not to mention if they're used modestly it takes a ton off the price sometimes. Plus I hate paperwork and writing. Wouldn't make sense for me to do it to "stay under the radar", since I have my CHL anyway.

 

[sourdough44]

FTF is my favorite.

 

[tdog69]

never really thought about paper or no paper, but I will be going this Sunday to the flea market to see if I can pick up a cheap 22LR to refurb where else can you get a good cheap gun to customize.

Now that I think of it I only have one registered gun to my name, the rest our collectors that may have had paper work at one time.

 

[DeepSouth]

Even if you defended yourself with it, you'd be going to jail for the felony weapons charge.

But you would still be alive...........Better to judged by 12

 

[mcdonl]

I like to use "Toy equity" for part of all of a firearms, or any toy purchase so FTF is what I mainly do... but... many times in the last year or so retail prices are more realistic.

 

[Pweller]

Does anyone worry about buying a stolen gun? Has anyone ever run into trouble like this? I don't think there is any way to check and see if a gun is stolen before buying it. I know that the police can take stolen property away from you, and your money is gone.

I guess if you only buy from CCW holders you should be fine, but that would surely limit your opportunities.