FTF transactions

[d-dogg]

So I am preparing to sell a couple of handguns. I'll offer FTF for fellow Virginians, as well as shipping to an FFL for out of state buyers.

Now obviously I MUST verify age if I feel there is a snowballs chance the buyer is under 21. Living as close to MD and D.C. as I do, I should probably ask to see a Virginia Driver's license.

In the case of the FTF transaction I feel like I need to take a little responsibility to ensure I do not sell it to a nut job. The only method I know of available to me is to request to see a CCW permit. I personally would not be offended if a seller in a FTF transaction asked to see mine to get a good feeling. Of course not everyone has a CCW permit.

Are there any other methods available to me to ensure I'm not selling to a felon, or person otherwise ineligible to own a gun?

Am I being overly concerned?

 

[Jim K]

Not available to an individual at this time. There were proposals to alllow individuals access to the NICS system, but they were killed both because of the overload and the possibility of abuse (checking on daughter's boyfriend, for example).

About the best you could do would be to go through an FFL dealer. Sure it will cost money, but it would take the burden off the seller.

Thousands of such transactions take place with no problem, but I can see the seller being sued if the buyer misuses the gun. The fact that there was no violation of the law might not cut it in a civil suit or even in a case where the crime is so serious that LE is determined to nail someone for something and to heck with the law.

Jim

 

[NavyLCDR]

Now obviously I MUST verify age if I feel there is a snowballs chance the buyer is under 21. Living as close to MD and D.C. as I do, I should probably ask to see a Virginia Driver's license.

The age limit is 18, not 21.

In the case of the FTF transaction I feel like I need to take a little responsibility to ensure I do not sell it to a nut job. The only method I know of available to me is to request to see a CCW permit. I personally would not be offended if a seller in a FTF transaction asked to see mine to get a good feeling. Of course not everyone has a CCW permit.

Are there any other methods available to me to ensure I'm not selling to a felon, or person otherwise ineligible to own a gun?

Just do the transfer through an FFL and wipe your hands of it completely.

Am I being overly concerned?

I think you are. I would show you a driver's license and sign a receipt for your gun. That would be the limit of what I would do as a buyer. If I wanted to do more than that, I would just buy the gun from a dealer.

 

[jmace57]

I did my first FTF transaction right before Christmas (in Texas). The guy buying from me was an attorney. I felt sort of like an idiot but after seeing his drivers license I asked him if he was a convicted felon, mentally incompetent, or there was any reason why I should not sell him the weapon. He said no. That was it. We both got a bill of sale and went on our ways.

 

[d-dogg]

jmace57, I've done dozens of FTF transfers in the past. This is just the effect all the recent craziness has had on me. I do suddenly feel a bit more of a personal responsibility to ensure I am not potentially feeding the media frenzy.

 

[Bubbles]

If the buyer doesn't have a CCW you could also ask to see a voter registration card as felons are not allowed to vote in VA.

 

[Ramone]

I will (and have) accepted a recent (6 months?) receipt for a FFL firearm purchase- while it's possible they might have become a felon or lost their mind in the interim, it's a level of assurance that gave me some comfort.

 

[d-dogg]

Those are both great suggestions, Bubbles and Ramone.

 

[tyeo098]

Check out vaguntrader if youre not already a member there.

SOP is to ask to 'see' a VADL and VoteReg or CCW. (DL proves age and residency, VoteReg or CCW prove background)

Not copying, no note taking. Just to verify you are a perfectly law abiding citizen. Mods over there are pushing for a bill of sale to be used, but I barely trust the local gov't with my info, why would I trust anyone else? I've never asked for a bill of sale (filled a couple out on really good deals per seller request) and I bought my first handgun when I was living in FL from a man with 2 teeth in Tampa. My same CZ75 that I carry to this day.

There is no need to be super-extra paranoid. On VaGunTrader people have profiles with comments, you can verify through other people on the site that that person has interacted with that they are good upstanding people (or not) something I wish this forum did in the For-Sale section.


EDIT: What are you selling? Tax return is coming in soon and I've got an eye on a Winchester M1 and maybe something else

 

[d-dogg]

Thanks for the tip tyeo098.

Probably will be selling a couple of hand cannons.