Talk me out of it

[chaim]

I am considering selling my AR. I know, never sell a gun you like, never sell a gun that works, never sell a gun, and all that. However, here are the circumstances.

I am preparing to go to graduate school in about a year. It has been about 5 years since I was last in school so I have no achademic references (I'm not counting a couple grad school courses ~2 years ago because it was an online program and I never actually met my profs). I will need to take as many classes as possible to get some references for grad school, to get back in the student frame of mind and be used to going to class, and to show that I am up to date on the current developments in the field.

I almost never get to the rifle range. I may shoot this rifle 2-3 times a year. ~$800 is a lot of money to have tied up in a gun that isn't used often. It is a Bushmaster XM15-E2S which no longer seems to be catalogued but it is a heavy barrel target gun with the carry handle. It retailed for over $1K new around here and I bought mine for $775 used. I also have 6 20 round mags for it. I figure since I bought it used, and added 4 Colt mags for it that it didn't come with, and added a very nice $50-100 (don't remember exactly how much anymore) soft case for it I should be able to get the $775 I paid for the rifle alone, and with the extra mags maybe a little more. If I get ~$800 for it that is enough to pay for one of the classes I need to take.

As for keeping the rifle and paying for the classes outright, that would be tough right now. I left my job last week, but the job I thought I had lined up fell through (they thought they had the budget for two positions, but only ended up getting funded for one, and supposedly there was one person more qualified than I was). So, I am temporarily unemployed again. I don't think this will last long (I've had several nibbles), but I don't know how long I'll be unemployed and how long my money needs to last. So, paying for a class right now is tough. Yet, I must take at least 3 or 4 classes during the summer and/or fall semester so I can have 3 achademic references lined up in time for my grad school applications deadlines this coming winter.

So, I need the money (it is exactly enough for one of the 3-4 classes I must take), I don't really use the rifle much, and even if I didn't really need the money right now it is a lot to have tied up in a gun I don't really use. On the other hand, it is a good gun, I do like the gun, it is only enough money for one of the 3-4 classes (so I have to find another way to come up with money for 2-3 more anyway), and it is very possible I could get a new job offer within a couple weeks and end up not really needing to sell the gun.

I am leaning towards selling since it is getting late to sign up for classes for the second half of the summer, and it will be time to sign up for fall classes soon. I need to know I'll have the money for at least one class (I guess I could use work references for the other two references if I can only finance the one class- I must take at least the one though). Also, it is a lot of money to have tied up in a gun I don't use so I've thought about it in the past, it is just that this situation is enough to make me think about it more seriously. Finally, if I do change my mind, the AWB is now in the past so I could get a gun in the future with different features if I wanted (though I'm not sure that is really needed). More likely, I'd replace it sometime in the future with an AK and/or a Mini-14 (less money, and thus easier to justify the money on a gun that only sees such occasional use).

So, talk me out of it (or do you guys think in this situation it is one of the few good justifications to sell).

 

[Cesiumsponge]

The future is always uncertain, so there is a chance that you won't be able to buy a replacement down the line given the political dice rolls snake eyes. I'm sure a lot of other fellows here have guns they take out less than 2-3 times a year...maybe once a year or even less.

However, you have to do what you have to do. It looks like you're in a financial bind and if there aren't other items you can sell before this rifle, then you left yourself little choice. I would personally sell off some other stuff before I sell off my rifle since it might come in handy in the unlikely event my home is invaded, but I don't know how many other (if any) firearms you have in your collection. I only have two firearms right now and they would probably be the last things I'd sell before I hit rock bottom.

 

[chaim]

Oh yes, your post reminds me of one other consideration I should have added. This is only a fun gun. I live in MD which is not self-defense friendly so I would never use an "evil black rifle" for home defense. My HD guns are a 18.5" 12ga pump (Benelli Nova), one or two of my handguns (always one revolver with .38+P and usually one auto- sometimes I have more than one revolver and/or more than one auto ready), and sometimes my Winchester 94 in .45LC. I also have an SKS and plenty of stripper clips which would work if I ever need a rifle for defensive use.

As for the financial bind, I'm not feeling stressed yet. I've had a few potential employers express interest already so I'm not too scared. Paying my basic bills won't be a problem. The issue is strictly the tuition issue I laid out above (I can't really afford to pay tuition before I know when money will be coming in, and depending upon how long it takes I may end up draining all my money I have now and have noting for tuition if I don't sell).

 

[gazpacho]

How about a student loan? If you qualify for a loan, you can put off the rifle sale atleast until the loan first accrues interest. As long as you are taking classes, the loan is interest free.

 

[sumpnz]

gazpacho - Unless he qualifies for federally subsidized Stafford loans, they will begin to accru intrest immediatly. They just are not required to be paid on until he's no longer a student.

chaim - If I were you I'd hold out to the last second to see if a job will come through before selling. If it comes to selling I wish I could buy it from you, but I have more dust than anything accumulating in my gun fund.

Have you considered moving to a freedom respecting state? Might have just as good a set of job options plus a lower cost of living that might help you forestall having to sell your gun.

 

[Mr. Loud Guns]

No offense to your other guns but not being a handgun fan I PERSONALLY would sell the handguns and keep the ar. I have to bushmaster AR's and I NEVER would consider selling them. I would rather be living in a ditch than have to get rid of my ar. AR's are probably some of the best guns you can get and they are certainly not evil. Plus if they are evil in Massachusetts that would make me want to have it more as a home defense gun. I am an advocate of home defense so if someone broke it to my house I would gladely switch my ar to full auto and open it up on the intruders back as they ran away in fear of my "evil black gun". Plus like "others have said" there are other options, student loans and of course begging your parents for money . Lastly I just want to say get to the range more. If I didn't go atleast twice a month I think I would go nuts!

 

[Telperion]

Personally, and for only $800, I would sooner take a cash advance on my credit card than sell a good gun.

If you have to sell, consider selling the upper only. The lower is the only part that's considered a gun, so buying that back will involve whatever the process is years from now. The AR will remain on the anti's hit list for many years. It's comparitively easy for them to stop you from buying a new one, and much harder to take what you already have.

 

[Preacherman]

You'll have to take stock of your overall life situation, and decide on priorities. If the study program is a top priority for your future, then other elements of your life are secondary in importance - in other words, sell the gun. As for replacing it in due course, yes, unless gun laws take a fairly dramatic hit in the next decade (possible, but not likely, IMHO), you should be able to buy another one - and if not, talk to a THR buddy or two about them buying an extra rifle or two before the new laws come into effect, and holding it for you. After all, what are shootin' buddies for?

 

[Old Fuff]

When you "buy" education you invest in yourself and you're future. It is always hard to pay for the education, but if you stick with it you'll make that money back - and then a lot more.

Someday in the future you may be able to live an a state like Arizona, and then the laws in Maryland will be nothing more then a bad memory. If and when that happens you can own any kind of firearm you want, and have what it takes to buy whatever that is.

Look forward, and never back. The future is still in front of you.

 

[chaim]

How about a student loan?

Student loans are only for degree seeking students. No problem once I hit grad school, but for what I need now I'm only taking a few undergrad courses (I'm not taking a second BA) to help get me into grad school. Actually, even if I officially signed up as a degree seeking student and then left without the second degree I couldn't use student loans since I already financed my BA with student loans and I'm pretty much at the legal limit for loans at the undergrad level (again, once I get to grad school I can take more if I want/need to).

there are other options...begging your parents for money

As I'm about to hit my 35th birthday (mid-July) and my father is retired this isn't my first choice. Also, they probably will be paying for one or two of the needed classes for me as a birthday present (I guess I'll know for sure in a couple weeks). If they did pay for two, the gun could pay for the third that I really need to take at minimum (most good grad schools in psychology require 3 achedemic references, though I might be able to get away with one of them being work references from related work.

 

[mnrivrat]

You gotta do what you gotta do . Education ,as Old Fluff said, is a buy that gives great returns .

I can't say that I don't regret selling some of the firearms I have sold over the years, but stuff happens and priority's demand hard choices sometimes.

My advice since you asked : Put your education on a higher priority than the AR - 15 do what it takes to get the education !

 

[Cesiumsponge]

I guess you can see education as an investment. Some people get a degree but never do anything with it. However, if you can get a degree and land a job with it, the pay boast will get you AR-15's back in spades Just takes some investment in blood, sweat, tears, time, and money.

 

[dakotasin]

selling the gun is putting a band-aid on a wound that needs stitches.

i'm an unemployed student w/ a wife and kids myself, so i know the pinch you're feeling. however, you need to look for a different solution.

it kind of sounds to me like you are looking for any reason to sell... just so you know i'm on the same page, there are at least 4 guns in my safe right now that haven't been fired since new (all within the last 6 or so months), and i probably have at least a dozen that i haven't fired in 2 years. still, unless you feel like you need to pare down the accumulation a bit, or you don't like the gun, or aren't interested in that kind of gun anymore, it is a bad idea to sell.

 

[Alex45ACP]

I have to bushmaster AR's and I NEVER would consider selling them. I would rather be living in a ditch than have to get rid of my ar. AR's are probably some of the best guns you can get and they are certainly not evil. Plus if they are evil in Massachusetts that would make me want to have it more as a home defense gun. I am an advocate of home defense so if someone broke it to my house I would gladely switch my ar to full auto and open it up on the intruders back as they ran away in fear of my "evil black gun"

 

[Norton]

I haven't been in this exact situation, especially with regards to guns, but I'm wrestling with selling at least one of my instruments right now to fund some home improvements.

I paid around $4,000 for the horn about 4 years ago and could probably get at least what I paid for it. It's a specialty niche horn and really doesn't get played very much, but I'm confident that the day after I sell it I'll get a gig that requires it. Then it would cost me $4500 to buy a new one.

 

[Harry Tuttle]

sell it to a wealthy MSI supporter with a buy back provision

now we just need a wealthy MSI supporter or two

is the rifle in a postban configuration?

you could sell it for 700 bucks and buy a fully set up AR later for 1000 bucks

and loose 300 dollars to have 700 now

keep the gun

 

[moredes]

Sell the gun and don't think twice about it. "Stuff" is just "stuff"; you can ALWAYS replace possessions you've given away, lost or sold. Don't let something as trivial as possession of a rifle, gun, stereo, car, or whatever toy slow you down in the path that is your life. There are all kinds of obstacles and hurdles; the goal is to live fully.

Health first (both physical and mental), education/career advancement second, or at least, 'way up there in priority at this time in your life, "fun" should be a distant runner-up to these two. That's not to say one shouldn't have diversions, but to make a choice between keeping a tool to further your fun time, and doing without that one toy to further your future, the choice is easy. Sure, you could try and keep the rifle, anticipating that the Anti's and future legislation will quash your opportunity to own an 'assault weapon'....but who's to say that your added education and future job offers won't take you to a state where that possession will be illegal anyway? and what if your career takes you to that kind of a state for a decade? "Oh, I'm not gonna work in CA for 2 years, they're anti's...." If you get big enough in a corporation, your career growth and resume might just hinge on your decision to move someplace undesirable; turn down a "job offer"/promotion in a corporation, and you could involuntarily sign yourself up for a career window seat.. (See?)...don't worry about the hypotheticals revolving about this rifle...the future is 'way to uncertain to hang your career on trying to keep one rifle.

Have the money in hand to make your educational commitment with a clear mind in a timely manner. When you're finished with your education and get back into the job market, hopefully you've chosen wisely in this career move and this advanced education makes you more appealing in the market at a higher starting salary level. Clear up your debts with your first paychecks (or at least, set a budgetary obligation to do so then) and then start looking for a replacement firearm.

As to when to sell, I wouldn't try and 'hold out' to see if the other job comes through first--there's no telling how long it'll take to find a buyer--lots of folks will drool over your offer, but it'll be a significantly smaller percentage of those lookielou's that will step up and put their money where their mouth is. The only way that (or anyone's) toy will sell really quickly is if your price is below the market average; you know that--only a 'fire-sale price' will bring a quick sale, and that's certainly not what you want to do. Put it out now for top dollar and adjust as the market demands. The cheaper you sell it for, the more money you've lost TWICE--remember you'll probably have to pad the selling price when it comes time to buy it again later. Remember, you've asked this on a pro-gun forum--how many "sell it(s)" do you expect you'll hear?

Taking a cash advance against your credit card is pure folly. Damn near the only time one should do that is if you absolutely can't find a cash resource and you're stuck in a foreign country. It is especially stupid if you're out of work with no bona fide offer of employment on the immediate horizon. Remember the reason you're in this dilemna--you don't have extra money--there's no reason to dig a deeper hole by increasing your debt AND accruing interest against it at a minimal rate of what, 9%, and no source of income in sight. Sell something, don't dig a hole that'll be reflected on your credit report and follow you around like an albatross for whatever # of years. When you apply for that house loan years down the road, that muthaf*r'll come back and bite you in the butt.

Borrowing from friends and parents?? when you've got the resources (read that possessions) to generate funds on your own? He's 35; it's time to show some responsibility. (no offense meant to you, Chaim) ANYONE old enough to own (and buy) a gun should be too old to 'borrow from the folks'.

Good luck.

 

[chopinbloc]

say it ain't so! keep the rifle. i'd sell my truck before a good rifle.

 

[Mauserguy]

As a guy who has been there, I have to say that $800.00 is nothing. Education can be extremely expensive, and the net present value is not always positive, in fact, these days, when everybody and their dog has a college degree, and you can buy degrees on line, many people struggle to get their money back. Having said that, you never know when an AR may be banned altogether.

Frankly, I wouldn't worry about the money. Get a cheaper car and make up the difference on your auto insurance, or something like that. You bought the gun because it was worth more than the $800.00. Save money elsewhere, and have the gun available for when you get your dream job, making lots of money, if you do.
Mauserguy