Advice on FTF Transfers

[Flame Red]

I have bought and sold a lot of guns at gun shows and internet transactions thru FFL's, but doing a face-to-face makes me nervous. I am not really fond of having people come over to my house - I think it just invites home invasion or buglaries.

Where do you folks meet strangers when doing FTF transactions and what steps do you take to avoid being a victim?

 

[AntiqueCollector]

I never meet strangers at my home, someplace else, preferably relatively busy, and I'm always armed well too. But I've bought many guns at yard sales and such too.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

Meet them at the gun range. Other people around and you/they can test fire the weapon before making the deal. You can even take a few of your buddies to prevent any foolishness.

 

[dmftoy1]

+1 on the range.

If he shoots a couple of boxes through it it's pretty hard to later complain that it's not working. FWIW.

 

[Kentucky]

Usually when I meet someone it is after work, which means dark at this time of year. Usually a busy McDonalds parking lot or a gas station. The great thing about living around here is that you can wave longarms around a busy parking lot and nobody bats an eye. You will get people stopping to look sometimes, but it is always positive. I have even had a gas station owner come out and ask if we wanted to come in where it was warm.

 

[Grandpa Shooter]

Simplest answer is not buy a used firearm from someone you don't personally know, same thing for sales. There are too many set ups on FTF transfers to just buy a gun from someone you don't know or who was not introduced to you by a good friend.

I don't know how it is in your state, but we live close to the southern border and have to be really careful here.

 

[Black Adder LXX]

+1 on the range. Also, I'd make anybody purchasing a gun from me provide me with a copy of their license and also sign a receipt.

 

[Flame Red]

Using the range is a good idea I had never thought of. I belong to two. The first does not permit guests anymore, so that one is out. The second is an hour away and has an electronic gate, so that won't work out either.

I guess I can meet the potenital buyer seller at the gun shop range, but boy oh boy - if the owner/manager found out I was using his range for a transaction he sure would be PISSED!

 

[Pete409]

If you don't feel safe having strangers coming to your house and you don't have a nearby gun range to meet prospective buyers, just have a local gun shop sell the gun on consignment.

I've sold several guns this way. Around here, they charge about 12% to 15% of the sale price as their commission. That's a cheap price to pay for not having to deal with phone calls, strangers coming to your house, etc.

Just tell the gun dealer what you have to have for the gun, sign the consignment papers, and get on with the rest of your life. When the gun sells, they call you to come pick up your money. It couldn't be easier...... or SAFER.

 

[DouglasW]

Follow up question regarding meeting at a range:

As I understand it, private purchases in Colorado (after Columbine) that take place at gunshows -- including in the parking lot -- require a background check. If two individuals met on the property of a range/gunshop/FFL could this be construed as a gunshow, thereby requiring them to jump through the background-check paperwork hoops?

In the past, I've had no problems just meeting folks (after phone conversations) in busy parking lots...

 

[Bailey Boat]

I have done several at the local cop shop. They have been good about it IF you arrange it before hand......

 

[Pete409]

"Follow up question regarding meeting at a range:

As I understand it, private purchases in Colorado (after Columbine) that take place at gunshows -- including in the parking lot -- require a background check. If two individuals met on the property of a range/gunshop/FFL could this be construed as a gunshow, thereby requiring them to jump through the background-check paperwork hoops?"

Is this in regard to one individual buying a gun from another individual, or one individual buying from an FFL? If the seller is an FFL, then a background check is required by federal law regardless where the transaction takes place. If it's individual to individual, then I'm not so sure that a background check is required....... unless it's a STATE law.

 

[elrod]

What few I've sold, I require the buyer to possess a current CCW permit and a picture ID. Be sure to keep a copy (I use carbon paper) of the bill of sale. The possession of a current CCW permit proves they have no felony convictions. And no, they never come to my house.

 

[Mastery]

Meet some place public. I value my family and belongings, and don't need some idiot breaking into my home.