Face to Face transfers

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

sgtzach

Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2010
Messages
28
Hey just a quick question for y'all. I am looking at buying a firearm(glock 36) off a guy on armslist.com He doesnt have a CCW so I am a bit leary about buying something from someone who shouldnt have it in the first place or that the firearm itself is stolen. any one know a way that I could call in the serial and at least see if it was stolen. And if there isnt a number would most police departments be willing to run the serial for me before I bought it? Also, any thoughts on the Glock 36's and what you would consider a fair used price?

Thanks,
zach
 
He doesnt have a CCW so I am a bit leary about buying something from someone who shouldnt have it in the first place or that the firearm itself is stolen.
Click to expand...

Because he doesn't have a CCW he is now suspect of being a felon?? Huh????

Hate to tell you this, but not everyone who own handguns have CCWs, and they're not felons
 
AND, on top of that, oneounceload, which I agree with you, BTW... anyway... AND on top of that, it's not even illegal to buy a gun from a felon anyway!
 
...Seriously. I can understand concern and checking out a gun from a private sale. But not just because he doesn't have a CCW. That doesn't mean squat.
 
You might call your local county sheriff's department and ask if they will check to see if a gun is reported stolen. Generally speaking, they don't provide this service to outsiders.
 
Give the guy a break. He's here to ask a question because he's concerned. Instead of busting his balls, try educating him.
Click to expand...

Well said. Try to remember what it is we do here, eh? If someone is a bit "off the mark" regarding laws, etc - we should be EDUCATING, not DENIGRATING.


That said - No, there's really no way to check the serial without going through a FFL. And even if a gun were stolen, that doesn't necessarily mean that the rightful owner knows that it's been stolen yet - so you might end up unknowingly buying a stolen gun even if you did manage to run the serial.

As far as a fair price, I couldn't tell ya. Depends on the condition of the particular gun, as well as the market in your area. Best bet is to check sites like Gunbroker, AuctionArms, etc and see what other G36's in similar shape are selling for and go from there.
 
I've been calling the local Sheriff's office to check S/N's for a number of years now and have never had my request turned down or questioned.
 
Thanks to all who answered my question. As far as the CCW thing its not that I think that he's a felon. Simply to me it means that at one point he was able to obtain a CCW in Ohio which means he had a backround check, adds to my comfort in doing business with him.

Thanks again
 
kingpin008 said:
That said - No, there's really no way to check the serial without going through a FFL.
Click to expand...
How does that work?

FFL holders don't have any means of checking serials, either.

Logging serials - yes.

Checking serials - no.
 
People buy and sell guns every single day like any merchandise. Its impossible to know unless found in a crime scene or reported as stolen.
 
People buy and sell guns every single day like any merchandise. Its impossible to know unless found in a crime scene or reported as stolen.
Click to expand...

...or when you get pulled over during a traffic stop and they run the numbers from the patrol car. Then what are you going to say?

It comes down to how the OP wants to conduct business. I have purchased used guns private party before without verifying a CHL but not in recent years. If they don't have a CHL I would draw up a bill of sale and record their drivers license number, name, and phone number. Have them sign the bill of sale (itemized) and you each get a copy.
 
FTF transfers lack details and that's good and bad. You're concerned about the bad. You can get a bill of sale with the sellers name and address. But then there will be a paper trail with your name and address also. Some people who worry about Big Brother might like a firearm that is "off the books".
 
Correcting totally false misconceptions is not "busting his balls".

OP - you want more comfort zone? Go to an FFL and have him do the transfer. Want to save the fee? Write up a bill of sale with name, address, DL number of both parties and each gets one
 
FTF transfers lack details and that's good and bad. You're concerned about the bad. You can get a bill of sale with the sellers name and address. But then there will be a paper trail with your name and address also. Some people who worry about Big Brother might like a firearm that is "off the books".
Click to expand...
Now days I figure not having a paper trail adds a least another hundred dollars to a gun's value.
 
oneounceconcealed said:
OP - you want more comfort zone? Go to an FFL and have him do the transfer.
Click to expand...

And what is really funny about that - the FFL would not do a background check on the seller or the gun! They would only make sure the buyer was eligible - kind of cutting one's nose off to spite one's face :D
 
I make it a general practice to only FTF with CCW holders. Even with a CCW holder I draw up a bill of sale. If you do a FTF with a non-CCW individual make a Bill of Sale to include:

Buyer and Seller Name and Address
License Number
Date
What gun with serial and date

This will cover you in a court of law by being able to show who bought and sold the gun for how much. Both of you sign. I have done this twice and neither individual batted an eyelash. It covers them and you.
 
Originally Posted by oneounceconcealed
OP - you want more comfort zone? Go to an FFL and have him do the transfer.
And what is really funny about that - the FFL would not do a background check on the seller or the gun! They would only make sure the buyer was eligible - kind of cutting one's nose off to spite one's face
Click to expand...

But if it gives him warm and fuzzy feelings, then it's worth it......... ;)
 
If you were to buy and sell a gun privately, if the gun shows up stolen the police will back track every sale of the gun that occurred. Starting with the last person that bought it and work backwards.

I have had this happen when I bought a gun and transferred through an FFL. It showed up as stolen in 1987 in Cook County, IL.

The police showed up and confiscated the gun from the FFL and I canceled my check. I was out $50, but learned a valuable lesson. Either use an FFL or buy from a CCW. Either way keep a bill of sale. I was covered because I had a record (in this case a transfer) that showed who I bought it from.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

d31tc
Face to Face Firearms Purchase
2 3 4
Replies
81
Views
3K
Choctaw
Choctaw
C
  • Locked
Fellow gun owners, ever had a gun stolen? A gun owner must read
2
Replies
25
Views
3K
CERICM
C
W
  • Locked
selling to private party
Replies
10
Views
2K
Hkmp5sd
H
C
  • Locked
Guns & Airlines
Replies
2
Views
499
Shootin' Buddy
S
T
  • Locked
Face-to-face sales?
Replies
5
Views
396
EOD Guy
E
Back
Top