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reporting ebay illegal activity

what would you have done?

  • Reported it to ebay.

    Votes: 87 46.0%

  • Turned a blind eye.

    Votes: 102 54.0%
  • Total voters
    189
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The seller didn't care BECAUSE HE WASN'T DOING ANYTHING ILLEGAL/WRONG, other then violating EBay's policies. He MAY have just chopped up 30 kids and ate them, but WE DON'T KNOW. He MAY respond to the buyer that he MUST go through an FFL if necessary - WE DON'T KNOW (why not figure that he would?...otherwise he would be breaking the law if he shipped it!).

As a related issue, I don't like my natural rights being disabled because I MAY use a legally owned gun illegally. THAT is gun control. Only once I ACTUALLY COMMIT AN OFFENSE might I be judged. Nothing "low road" about supporting that.


You want to help enforce Ebay's policies - fine, but don't mis-represent THAT as doing the right thing because 1) a guy WAS violating a law (he wasn't), or 2)because a guy MAY violate a law, or MAY cause another to do so.
 
KungfuHippie- Others already said it. It's silly to equate a serious, violent felony like rape to someone (probably unintentionally) selling a gun frame in violation of federal law. Selling whiskey to 5th graders? Hmmm... I'd have to see that to decide what I might do.

You argue that a law is a law is a law but that's not really true. The law recognizes varying degrees of seriousness and so do I.

I don't think you erred by contacting the seller. If he doesn't care then at that point it's not your baby. As for contacting ebay, well, that's your call but I figure it's not my concern.

Doesn't it just suck when you post details of something you did, expecting most people to applaud your actions, and instead a majority think you screwed up? I've done it.
 
OK, gotta chime in again

KFH, I'm not on your case but think about this for a moment. Eliminate the cloak of security provided by the internet, phone, whatever and assume you saw this transaction which you belived to be illegal take place in a public parking lot as you walked from your vehicle to a store you intended to enter. If you wouldn't run over and try to explain to the participants that they were possibly commiting a crime, why in the hell would you do it with an email? It strikes me as the difference between a sneak thief and an armed robber. I have no respect for a sneak thief.
 
What I don't like about ebay is their squad of "I'm a lawyer, and I don't know anything about guns, so we're gonna prohibit as much as possible. And if something is illegal in one state, we ain't messing with it. At all."

I've got a BUNCH of the original Viking Machine M4 and Car-15 style santoprene butt pads... These are the ones that the folks had the chinese copy (badly, I might say...). They are shaped nice, and they're not going to melt if you leave it sitting on your dashboard.

Butt pads. For evil assault rifles. So ebay won't let 'em go.
 
I'd vote for neither in the poll.

I saw just this the other day on flea-bay. AN AR7 that the owner said he "lost a pin" so was selling it for parts. It was a functioning .22 (that I wanted). I just clicked the "watch it now" button. Coulda been some ATF sting, or some loving father looking for a good home to his toy. No crime was taking place. But one could happen (auction was canceled hours before end with no explanation).

I'd help another gun owner. Especially if he was going to commit a federal crime in a very public place like an online auction.

Justin
 
For the Goody two shoes in this forum. Gun parts are sold every day on EBAY. Sellers and Buyers sell FFL required parts and do all the correct paperwork required by law. It is a protest and game placed against EBay only who deserve it and still make their cut.

When you are so naive to know better MIND YOUR OWN BUSSINESS!!!!!!!!!! It amazes me the so called freedom lovers who have to butt in when they are clueless. Protect someone from breaking the law my BUTT.

Stay on the porch with the puppies if you cannot run with the big dogs.
 
There's some strong opinions on this subject. I'm actually a little surprised at the language used. I guess some people are not capable of disagreeing without being offended and going nuts.

Even if you disagree with what KFH did, it's not really that bad. The seller will be inconvenienced, that's it. The fact that KFH had some second thoughts about getting the poor guys auction cancelled says to me that he is a conscientious person who is not quick to stick his nose into someone elses business. The guy's auction got cancelled, big deal. It's happened to me more than once for things that are completely legal but ebay seems to think are a violation of policy.

I listed a DSA FAL scope mount when I first signed up for ebay and they cancelled it right away three times. This is a piece of aluminum that is legal anywhere in the country. Being ignorant as they are they saw FAL in the title and kicked it off. I finally figured out that you need to be careful with wording and have had no more problems. The thing sold for as much as a new one. I'm quite careful to know the law and stay legal as far as laws are concerned, but some of their policies are silly.

I was mad at ebay at first, now I just realize that if I'm going to use their service I have to follow their rules. One of the rules of the game is be careful how you word thing and you can list anything. You just have to use your own common sense, if you have any. Listing a firearm or receiver on ebay is not smart and the least of your worries will be having it cancelled. Now if the listing had said something like "Please PM me for special shipping instructions before bidding (FFL)" that would be a different story...

A question for those who call people names like snitch and informant: If you are driving around at night and happen to see someone selling Uzi's out of a car trunk to obvious gang-bangers, do you call the cops? I know it's not a direct analogy, but where do you draw the line with reporting illegal activity?
 
Maybe it was a THR Group buy? You can assume all you want but you know nothing. You don't seem to want your RKBA to be infringed but are willing to cause infringment on others?
 
eBay is a big money sucking vacuum and PayPal is no better, I get sick and tired of seeing all the scammers and liars on there that eBay does little about.

In this case, you told the seller he was selling a gun. If ftf sale is legal in his state between residents of his state the seller was doing nothing except listing something eBay won't allow.

We won't know if the seller was actually violating laws. It's a moot point.

I've written emails to sellers before giving advice on what they were selling.(For example while looking for a Mauser military rifle scout scope mount, I found someone selling that exact item, but what he had was actually the box for a scout scope mount with the original old sight parts that had been removed from someone's Mauser when they put on the mount and stuck in the box.)

By and large the lack of a response is not uncommon. I've had many ignored messages on eBay or Craigslist including "I Have Cash & Ready To Buy It Now!"


In this case- hate to say it- but who cares? If it makes you feel better, attaboy.
 
I have my own job to work on and I try not to do other people's job. That said if you think you did the right thing more power to you
 
ArchAngelCD,
Sorry if it seamed that I mislead anyone to believe you said that. You didn't, I was trying to crack a joke at you comment and then go into rant mode.

Doesn't it just suck when you post details of something you did, expecting most people to applaud your actions, and instead a majority think you screwed up? I've done it.
Click to expand...

Well I didn't expect a pat on the back. Didn't expect to be name called (that's covered under THR rule 4) I thought people would tell me that I was doing something to destroy the RKBA or that it wasn't any of my buisness, or that they agreed, etc. I put the pole up because I wanted to see percentages of who would care.

There are degrees of crime-I admit, again, that the rape comment was overboard and it's not on the same level.

The Nazi remark was festering all day, I don't like that term to be used lightly. It just really got to me, the other stuff just made it snowball.

If I saw illegal activity (a drug deal or gun sale out of trunk-not legal in my state) in a grocery store parking lot I'd be a good wittness and call the cops. Simply because I'd have to be retarded or have dillusions of gradure to confront drug or gun dealers to tell them it was wrong. Now if my neighbor was trying to sell an old mossberg at his garage sale (also not legal to sell like that in PRK) I would tell him it wasn't legal to do it that way (and maybe make an offer to buy it, legally:D . If he told me to mind my own buisness I'd have to give it some more thought but would probably end up reporting it...Just like when the corner house became a crack-donalds complete with a drive-thru window to get your fix. Nothing like finding broken needles on your lawn:cuss:
 
if my neighbor was trying to sell an old mossberg at his garage sale (also not legal to sell like that in PRK)
Click to expand...
It's legal if it's over 50 years old - do you have a handy serial number guide that you carry around to check the age of weapons?

I would tell him it wasn't legal to do it that way (and maybe make an offer to buy it, legally . If he told me to mind my own buisness I'd have to give it some more thought but would probably end up reporting it...Just like when the corner house became a crack-donalds complete with a drive-thru window to get your fix. Nothing like finding broken needles on your lawn
Click to expand...

I'm sorry, but I can't equate a private party sale of a gun to dealing crack. Why do you feel it's your responsibilty to police your neighbors for doing what is legal in almost every state but this one?
 
The Nazi remark was festering all day, I don't like that term to be used lightly. It just really got to me, the other stuff just made it snowball.
Click to expand...

Let it fester to a boil, little brother. You don't want to be known as a closet gungrabber, do you?

Gun Control's Nazi Connection!!

Startling evidence suggests that the Gun Control Act of 1968 was lifted, almost in its entirety, from Nazi legislation.

by Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership
 
Let it fester to a boil, little brother. You don't want to be known as a closet gungrabber, do you?
Click to expand...
:barf: :barf:

Derby FALs,
come to California and learn just how much we hate gun grabbers. You can shoot my AK-47-oh wait the gun grabbers took those away. Well them we can shoot my AR-15 (oh, drat, they got that one too) well we can shoot an FAL (oh, that was grabbed also!) Anyone who has taken the time to read my past posts know that I'm no gun grabber!

Here's a good example to contradict that, my thread;

They're buying guns in Compton California
Yes, it started yesterday and will continue the next two weekend.

The news showed about 10 guns (I think it's all they got) 4 broken revolvers (two w/ no cylinder) a couple handguns 9including a ka-boomed SNS. A couple cheapo .22 rifles. And the very sad part.

TWO PERFECTLY GOOD MOSIN NAGANT M44'S

These poor little innocent firearms will be melted down for crimes they did not commit.

Maybe we should go protest this. Let people know that these programs are a waste of tax dollars and just one way they're disarming Americans. And it being in Compton, Black Americans.
Click to expand...
 
Derby FALs,
come to California and learn just how much we hate gun grabbers.
Click to expand...

Which part of "shall not be infringed" are you having the problem? 1934, 1968, 1989, 1994, etc.?



Anyone who has taken the time to read my past posts know that I'm no gun grabber!
Click to expand...

All I see is you object to them grabbing some, but not all, guns...It's OK if you don't think they should have guns but not when they don't want you to have them.
 
All I see is you object to them grabbing some, but not all, guns...It's OK if you don't think they should have guns but not when they don't want you to have them.
Click to expand...

I would like to know where you see this?

Was it where I said;

...Claiming that the law abiding men and women who give up their guns make the streets safer is lies...the PD shouldn't waste their time doing this, but instead be out there arresting criminals and taking their guns.
Click to expand...

Itallics words are added to clarify meaning

So you don't advocate police fighting crime and taking guns from criminals?
 
Well....If YOU know its wrong....what were ya doin' searching for receivers on eBay anyway?????

:neener:

Just messin' with ya.
 
Here's my problem with reporting ebay violations vs not reporting them..........

How many of us have bought something on ebay, and then received something not quite as described? Say......A supposed GI M1911 hammer that turns out to be a piece of cast gloop from 2003........

Suppose Mr. Unaware Bidder bids on this item thinking it is legal. Afterall, it's on ebay, right? Suppose he doesn't quite know what constitutes a reciever on this particular rifle. Suppose he even thinks it is not the reciever, but a reciever ships anyway. Suppose he's the winning bidder, and the item ships across country. He signs for it, as it is confirmed delivery. Two minutes later, he is busted by the ATF.

While it is true that Mr. Unaware Bidder should have known better, he will be handily convicted because ignorance is no excuse.

Now suppose the seller is the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is placing auctions on ebay fishing for bidders..........Now we have a problem.........Is kungfuhippie still a snitch, or is he standing firm against the ATF by not allowing them to entrap hapless bidders.

FWIW, I was unaware it was legal to ship recievers within state boundaries. I thought these transactions had to be performed face to face. Correct me if I'm wrong.......
 
So you don't advocate police fighting crime and taking guns from criminals?
Click to expand...

I certainly don't agree with legislators creating crimes. It depends on your definition of a criminal. What do you believe are some sensible gun laws?
 
Can't say for sure I'd turn the person in to abay, but I've sent messages to sellers with shall we say, "questionable" firearm auctions. Some were simply unknowlegdable fo the laws, etc. Some just plain stupid and wanting to try to get away with it. Those moron I snitched on without any bad feelings. If they obviosuly could care less about the laws they deserve whatever they get as it just makes us as a collective gun owership look bad sooner or later.
 
kungfu is still a snitch.

1) He has made an uneducated judgement that a person was breaking a law - HE WAS NOT.
2) he made an uninformed judgement that a person MAY break a law, when he has NO idea what that person MAY do. He does however KNOW the seller "was one of many that buy surplus rifles in bulk, and part them out on ebay", so WHY the HUGE assumption that this guy would do so illegally? IT's HIS LIVELYHOOD.
3)he made a stretch judgement that a person "misrepresented" an item when he ratted the guy out to ebay because the item was described as a "bolt with housing", even though the pictures showed a "bolt with receiver".
4)he made a busy-buddy judgement thinking that ANYONE who actually knew enough about guns to know he needed/wanted a certain part, would become confused with regards to picture of a "bolt with HOUSING", and simply accept the shipping of a receiver without knowing any better; ALL under the mis-assumption that the seller would not do the right correct legal thing simply because he did not say so in his listing (so he wouldn't alert ebay).

As for the buyer, you don't know the laws as they relate to buying gun "housings" online, then DON'T BUY THEM. If you however really want an item, don't care that there MAY be a potential for legal issues, don't care if Kungfu or ANYONE ELSE knows for sure whether it was transacted legally, or are mature enough to deal with a seller with regards to legal matters, without Kungfu OR ANYONE ELSE getting involved, then GOOD FOR YOU! Welcome to America.



Again, LIKE re: GUN CONTROL, I do not want MY RIGHTS infringed because of what I MIGHT do. A legal gun, handled legally, in my possession is NOT YOUR BUSINESS, because of what you think I MIGHT do with it. :banghead:
 
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