FTF Trade/Sale Etiquette?

You guys have to admit, this aspect of gun transfers is pretty iffy. We can all say it's safe and "you can just tell", but honestly I would have more peace of mind if FTF could be done in a gun store with NICS check. The thought of selling one of my guns to a felon really concerns me.

Thing is, I don't like the fees involved. If stores could just do a NICS check for a small fee, I'd be all for it. But they won't do that without an actual transfer form being done.

Frustrating.

You guys have to admit, this aspect of gun transfers is pretty iffy. We can all say it's safe and "you can just tell", but honestly I would have more peace of mind if FTF could be done in a gun store with NICS check. The thought of selling one of my guns to a felon really concerns me.

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Whats iffy about it? I've sold cars with less paperwork than some people want to sell a gun. I understanding wanting the peace of mind that comes with feeling like you're doing something but you also need to come to grips with the reality that the bad guys are going to get guns. The NIU shooter we're talking about in another thread bought his guns at the gun store, we're not stopping that guy. The bad guy that wants a gun to go on a crime spree with isn't going to be stopped by a nics check either. First its just not logical to assume that the guy that wants to murder and rob is going to pay $500 bucks for a gun, he's just going to steal yours. Past that its even more illogical to assume that the guy who does plan to use a gun against a person will not because he would have to break a very minor firearm law first. Its like suggesting that a bank robber won't park the get away car in a no parking zone because that would be illegal.

People want to think we're doing something to stop terrible things, but we also have to face the limitiations of our ability to do so. There is nothing iffy about selling your private property to someone else and the nics check is a waste of money and prevents no crime. As they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

In response to the earlier post about transfers being 'iffy' and preferring transactions to go through a dealer--you should move to California. They would welcome the addition to their tax base. What you described is exactly what is required there, plus the FFL holds your gun for 10 days, plus the dealer charges you $40-50, plus you can only purchase one handgun every 30 days.

Why should selling a gun be any different from selling a chain saw?

I can not begin to count the number of times I have engaged in FTF transactions, responding to both online and newspaper ads. I have never had a problem or even a concern. I've done business at my house, their house, gas station parking lots, Wal-Mart parking lots, gun ranges and police stations. I've never felt the need to back out of a transaction, but if something didn't seem right, I would not hesitate to do so.

When buying, I do whatever makes the seller happy. Sometimes it involved a bill of sale, while other times it was cash-and-carry. When selling, I prefer to type up a bill of sale with the S/N and the date, and get buyer's signature.

I've made many FTF transactions and never had a problem. I'm in Illinois so both parties have to have valid FOID cards and a receipt of the sale must be kept for ten years. I think a receipt with all the pertinent info on it is a good idea, I'd insist on one even if it wasn't required.

As for meeting places...wherever is convenient to us both; parking lot, gas station, restaurant, etc. No gun store is going to want you doing business in their store though!

The only FTF transactions I've done were all with THR members. Enough said with that right. I did not ask for nor was I asked for a signature or receipt. I met very good people that I would like to shoot with anytime. I met folks at Cabela's parking lot, Bass Pro parking lot, and large truck stop near the interstate. I felt fine with all the people I met. I had a back up plan as I'm sure they did as well.

I think dealing with a THR member increases the chances of a good experience (not to sound over trusting). You can discuss things ahead of time. On the flip side, if its some random response from a shotgun news ad or something and you have zero read on the guy... you should probably be more concerned.

What about dark alleys behind burnt out factories?

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These always make good places. Or seedy motel rooms work well too, I mean, what is the worst that could happen?

I've probably done four dozen FTF transactions in the last handful of years, and all went off without a hitch.

I'll usually meet in the parking lot of a gun or sporting good store, to keep the concerns over handling firearms in a suburban setting to a minimum. I'm always carryin', but have never had any 'radar hits' that would cause me to back out of a deal or avoid the meeting. At some point, I'll ask to see (but not copy) their CHL or DL to make sure that the basics are in order.

Pretty straightforward - not much different than selling a old used car, 'cepting the lack of a receipt.

No problem. I always arrange it so that both parties (i.e., me and them) are subject to great scrutiny (and potential sanctions) during the transaction. As a result, nothing ever goes wrong. Quite simple...really. No reciept. No muss. No fuss.

NASCAR

Some gun owners like to play like they're handing in radioactive waste and your name, address, d/l number, signature, and a urine sample before selling/buying. If you're unwilling to provide those to a stranger like most you'll want to meet a dealer's and pay them to do the transfer or find a new buyer/seller.

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LOL, isn't that the truth. Btw, you forgot the retina scan and library card requirement...

Done tons of them, usually an agreed on location. If there is a place I'll offer to meet at a range and they can test drive it. Only had one irritating experience, guy decided to write down the license plate of my truck as soon as I got there without asking. I'd give him whatever personal info he wanted so he can be sure I'm not some crook, but how about asking? Wanted to jaw around on the price too after we had previously agreed. I sold him the gun at his price to get him away from me, good luck with the truck since it wasn't mine!

Best one ever I met a guy at midnight to buy his Randall #1 he was selling. He was at work, been trying to get him on the phone all day. He worked at the loading docks in South Norfolk unloading bulk materials like gravel and sand. Midnight, the hood, drive back through numerous piles of gravel in a mostly unlit yard that came off a Sopranos set to get down near the water where he worked. I had met the guy much earlier that day, we sat back in the gravel pits for awhile and talked knives. Neat guy, great deal.

Met in stores, Wal-Mart parking lots, wherever. Agree to the terms before you go and stick to them.

Agree to the terms before you go and stick to them.

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+1

It really gets me p*#%^d if they try and renegotiate the deal.

You guys have to admit, this aspect of gun transfers is pretty iffy. We can all say it's safe and "you can just tell", but honestly I would have more peace of mind if FTF could be done in a gun store with NICS check. The thought of selling one of my guns to a felon really concerns me.

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Not at all. Some folks I know by association and they are locatable to me, I'll sell a gun no questions asked. FTF and I don't know the person I may want a DL, they show me their CCW permit and I'm happy, living in a border area I'm not about to get juked into an illegal interstate transfer. I see iffy WTB posts on here from time to time, "WTB pistol in VA/NC, willing to meet FTF" Not going to deal with those people. I write a simple reciept on whatever is handy "Sold gun ____ S/N_____ to Smilin Bob on____ date and have him sign it."

I think the funniest ever was the young SEAL(real one) who bought my Rem 700. After he told me he'd lighten up the #1.5 trigger some he paid with a check with his home address, command info, and SSN on it, AKA all the stuff you need at the commissary. He then asked if I wanted to see his DL. Not really necessary at that point...

I've done one. At the seller's house. Out in the boonies. I was packing concealed, and i'll bet he was too. I pulled up. inspected the merchandise, chatted a bit, we loaded it into my truck, i used his bathroom, paid the man, we shook hands and i left. I was just careful about not turning my back and keeping my overall situational awareness up.

Ive always met at a location in the middle, usually gas station or similar.

Goods are inspected, pleasantries made and money exchanged.

A fond farewell bid and Im on my way.

I dont require forms, copys of ID or any other paperwork.

I met at an indoor gun range, shot the guns I wanted to buy, signed a bill of sale right there on their gun counter. They didn't like that too much. Looking back I can understand why. Two other buy/sells were in public parking lots half way between buy and seller - one at McDonalds and one at Walmart.

I have always done gun trades at the shooting range. I get to shoot theirs, they get to shoot mine. Things tend to work out well. Had a couple of people back out after shooting my stuff. Wasn't a problem. We both went on shooting together and had a good day at the range.

I have actually never done a FTF transaction before...Would it be a good or bad idea to meet at a local police station parking lot, go in, and tell then what we are going to do?

It just seems a bit weird to me to head down to the jam packed local wally world and start brandishing firearms with traffic walking by.

So you'd rather brandish them in the cop shop parking lot??? I think not. Most police are probably blissfully unaware that it is perfectly legal to hand a guy money and he hand you a gun. Your chances of a ruined day skyrocket by telling the cops unless you live in Mayberry. Besides, if you do it at Wal-mart all the first time CCW walkers will back you up if something happens!

Seriously, Wally lot is great, you can usually park in a way that lets you surveil the entrance to the lot, plenty of time to assess and plenty of room to drive away. I've met some great people doing FTF transactions.

It really gets me p*#%^d if they try and renegotiate the deal.

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What if the gun isn't as you expected (aka slightly misrepresented)?

I look up posts by them (when possible), use zabasearch on them, us google on them, and sometimes go to the extent of using a public database search tool just to be sure. Never had a real problem with ftf deals. My biggest problem with ftf transactions is that the guy might decide to show up but then get cold feet. Better to make the decision, send the money, take the gun and then, if you don't want it, turn it. I hate it when people say "I'll take it" and then don't.

I saw what looked like a good deal on a wingmaster in the local big nickle. Called the number and talked to Joe. Joe told me what he had and what kind of shape it was in. I told him if its in the shape you say, its a good deal and I will buy it. Joe gives me his address, thirty five miles later I'm the owner of a very well kept well used 870. 30 inch fixed full choke vent rib barrel is going to make a nice trap gun.

I did a FTF trade with a U.S. Attorney in the parking area adjacent a toll booth in New York. He inspected it, picked it up and waved it around in the air while looking through the sights.

Just did one actually...

The guy emailed me about a post on another site and we arranged the meeting. I called him and gave him directions to a local gas station. He followed me back to my buddies house. We exchanged pleasantries with the five guys there (He brought a buddy and my two buddies were there.) and then he checked out the firearm. He counted his cash and handed it to me. We then setup a group get together with him and a couple of his buddies and will probably meet at a local shooting spot sometime this weekend. No paperwork involved... but this is Louisiana. We don't need no stinkin' paperwork.

Originally posted by Larry Ashcraft: I've done a couple of deals FTF with THR members. I met one in Denver to buy a Golden Boy and a bunch of ammo. We met in a parking lot on 120th Avenue on a Sunday. Gave him the cash, he gave me the rifle and ammo (I don't remember his username). The only problem was realizing I had to drive through Denver with 7000 rounds of ammo in the trunk.

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Did you think that was not enough?

I prefer to go through an FFL myself. They have to have an FOID card here in Illinois. It seems that our state government does the most it can to make it a pain in the ass. They are still subject to the 3 day waiting period. We have closed the gunshow loophole here. All around it is just bad here in Illinois.