Firearm Bill of Sale

[X-Rap]

When dealing in things that have serial nos. titles or other identifying marks that are favored by thieves it seems that having some trail of ownership is not a bad idea. It might not allow you to retain the property but it will likely send the criminal investigation on down the line without the need for expensive defense and time lost from your life.
I am not singling guns out alone on this but would include optics, cameras, electronics and tools.

 

[AzBuckfever]

I too have no reservations of not signing a bill of sale. I agree that it is in the best interest of both parties involved and in the event I am selling a firearm, I would be skeptical of selling to someone who does not want to list general information. Having a law enforcement background, I know that it can also help. Picture this, your family member/friend is killed with a weapon and the gun is left at the seen. Unfortunately, the gun goes back to someone who says they sold it, but the person they sold it to didn't want to leave any info. #1, looks bad on your part if you were the seller; and #2, it's bad on your part if you were the victim. Taking it a step further, how are you going to feel when there's a knock at your door and the police tell you that the gun you sold was used in a crime by the person you sold the gun to?
I agree in that I would never list my DL or SSN regardless of what the circumstances were, but I would list anything that is public record anyway (i.e. Name, DOB, and Place of residence).

 

[duns]

Given how sensitive many people are about their DL number, I would not keep a copy of the DL nor record it's number. I would use the DL just to verify the name, address, and signature.

 

[Bubba613]

Yes, if it is not the person that reported it stolen. But I wont be going to jail, the guy that signed the BoS and gave me his picture and address will. Get where I'm going with this...?

No.
If the guy who sold it isn't a convicted felon, has no prior arrests, holds a steady job, and is generally Joe Citizen then no one is going to arrest him for armed robbery/murder with the gun.

 

[CoRoMo]

As if your going to be caught with no alibi, hauled off to prison for a crime you didn't commit.

 

[Shawn Dodson]

Washington DOL offers a similar "Private Disposition/Transfer" form on its website. I've used it for private sales but NEVER sent it in to the state.

http://www.dol.wa.gov/forms/652004.pdf

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

If you're going to go to all that trouble anyway, I would suggest adding a "sold as is and with all faults" clause.

 

[thorazine]

Flashy flashy of DL & CCW permit has always been good enough for me.

 

[gym]

Don't forget that if you are doing a "trade", the other person already had a gun. i remember even in gun shops when trading there was no "wait" no ccw, I took my manager, Way back when, and he had no license, he walked out with a G 27 because he traded a baretta and some cash. I would think that a trade is safer than selling a gun to someone you don't know from adam, but legally I don't know. You can check for stolen guns in FL on your cell it it gets internet access. That I did use.Just google the link. I would think most states have similar web sites for that.

 

[harmonic]

Your guns, dude. Your rules. But I always stipulate in my ads exactly what kind of paperwork I expect. If I were the type to buy guns with the express purpose of leaving no paper trail, I'd be upset if I drove to meet you and then found out.

 

[AzBuckfever]

Best thing to do in any rate is just take the freakin' gun to a FFL holder, pay the man/woman $15 bucks or whatever, and transfer the dang thing. If he can't pass the check, must be something wrong....right?

 

[X-Rap]

I can see and respect peoples wish to have private sales off the books and out of the gov. paperwork loop. I feel that way myself, the guns I have off the books are typically not for sale so those that I do sell will lead right back to me if they turn up down the road and I want to know at least who I sold it to. On the flip side if I buy one and then it later shows up as stolen I want to know who I bought it from.
I'm not saying we need to involve anyone but the two parties.
I often write down names and lic. plate # when doing FTF transactions on any valuable merchandise I guess this just puts both parties on the same level and both above board.