Where to meet for a face to face transaction?

[mbpautz762]

Hello everyone - just had a quick question about selling guns face to face. I've heard before that when selling a gun you're not supposed to meet at your house in case the buyer was a criminal who wanted to later rob the place.

I also don't feel comfortable meeting at someone else's house for similar reasons (call me paranoid, but an ambush is always possible ). so this leaves.....where??

I would also think meeting at the local wal-mart parking lot may draw some unwanted police attention. I guess I could always sell online, but am un-shure about the process. what would you do??

 

[TAB]

if he is for sure buying the gun, I'd say FFL, if not then range.

 

[rbernie]

I've met in shopping mall parking lots, but I vastly prefer to meet in a sporting good store's parking lot. Gun store parking lots are ideal.

My goal in choosing a spot for a FTF deal is to reduce the likelihood that somebody will catch a sight of a firearm being passed around and call da po-leece.

 

[mbpautz762]

I forgot to mention - I haven't actually sold anything, but I was thinking about putting my Dan Wesson 10mm in the paper. I just wanted to get some general guidelines. the range actually sounds pretty good though.

 

[DJW]

Parking lots of big box stores with lights are just fine. Another good place is the parking lot of a local sporting goods store or gun shop. Even better is a daylight meeting which becomes easier as the days get longer!

 

[John828]

Trust your instincts, but you'll probably get a good feel from the phone conversation. Gun shop parking lot would be ideal.

 

[TAB]

in that case I'd say range( public, the more anal the ROs the better)... that way they can shoot it if they are really intrested.

 

[kingpin008]

As long as you're not doing anything illegal, I can't see a visit from the cops (should one show up and want to investigate) being a problem.

I've sold three guns and one (large) quantity of ammo face-to-face, and each meet-up was at a gun shop (first gun) gas station (ammo) and mall parking lot (second and third guns). Absolutely no problems whatsoever, even when some folks at the gas station saw me open my trunk and hand the other guy two gallon-size ziploc bags stuffed full of .45 ACP ammo.

 

[Oro]

I'd say FFL, if not then range.

Check with your local range before doing it there - especially if it's a private or indoor one, or affiliated with a gun shop. Our closest range has a "no dealing on premises" rule and it is posted. It is not strictly observed for annual members, etc., but is for others.

Public parking lots usually work just fine. Selling a gun, rifle or handgun, privately is not illegal (in most places, at least).

 

[General Geoff]

I've bought and sold guns in parking lots at night, never had any problems with the cops. And I just plain look shady (black trench coat, BDUs, fedora..)

 

[mbpautz762]

some great answers so far. there's an academy sports closeby - it seems like it would be the best place. it's well lit, and I'm guessing that's the most important thing to look for.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

Let's see, I did one on the north side of Denver (drove back through Denver with a rifle and 7,000 rounds of ammo in the trunk). I think that one was at a Denny's parking lot, can't remember for sure. Both THR members involved, no problem.

Another one took place at a Home Depot parking lot in Colorado Springs. Another THR member went home with an SKS and 1200 rounds of ammo.

I've bought guns at the homes of elderly acquaintances I've met through want ads, at estate sales, at a friend's house after I appraised his guns. Sold some the same ways.

Why the secrecy?

 

[rbernie]

Why the secrecy?

First time I do a FTF deal with a stranger, I do it only in a public place. If we get to know each other a bit, I might consider otherwise. I'm cranky that way, I guess.

In most cases, I'm dealing with folk spread out far enough apart that we just find a convenient mid-point landmark and converge on that.

As long as you're not doing anything illegal, I can't see a visit from the cops (should one show up and want to investigate) being a problem.

It won't get you arrested, but if the cops get called you can count on losing at least twenty minutes of your life while they check things out. Been there, done that. If you get unlucky, you may get proned out and treated a bit shabbily during this process and have your firearm treated even more shabbily. It's far easier just to be discreet.

Picking a place to meet where it wouldn't be unusual to see the occasional firearm (e.g. the parking lot of a sporting good store, gun shop, or even a farm supply store) is probably a better choice than picking, say, the parking lot for Planned Parenthood.

Just a guess.

 

[Floppy_D]

Parking lots of big box stores with lights are just fine.

+1

Why the secrecy?

I have nothing to hide, but I have much to protect.

I prefer to conduct business at visible, open places... where I have met some of the finest people THR has to offer, and have been introduced to some of the coolest gun shops in the state. Sometimes the trip is worth it on many levels.

 

[Treo]

The Waffle House at 3 A.M.

 

[Eric F]

my top 10 but check your local rules....
1. Gun range
2.Grocery store parking lot
3. wal mart parking lot(lots of cameras)
4. police station parking lot(if your gonna do something do it where the cops arnt)
5. Fire station parking lot(if it goes sour you have a medic right there)
6.dark alley(no one ever hangs out there)
7.Bar make a sale and get a drink afterward)
8. Bank parking lot during business hours(if the guy is of unsavory taste then your bound to get a cop really soon)
9. Church parking lot during the week, again no one will be there
10. School zone.....wait thats not funny or smart.


Ok now on the serious side gun range is best and bring a friend with you. If no gun range any public place tell the purchaser to bring a case with him and leave it in your trunk so it can be looked at and fondeled with minimal exposure.

 

[Javelin]

Public/Private Gun Range
Gander Mountain parking lot
Dicks Sporting Goods parking lot
Cabellas parking lot
Academy Sports parking lot
Sports Authority parking lot

See the pattern yet.....

 

[Flyboy]

In Oklahoma, the most common place for sales between residents of OKC and Tulsa is the parking lot of the McDonald's on the Turner Turnpike about halfway in-between the two. There are probably more guns changing hands there on any given day than out of the back of a stolen Cadillac in Compton.

 

[rondog]

I usually try to meet the seller someplace halfway. I did buy a rifle from a guy in his office once, he was an FBI agent! Didn't know that until I got there.

 

[MADDOG]

List you DW right here. It would probably be safe even though there might be some shady fellows here also.

 

[pith43]

I've usually meet at any big retail parking lot, on the outskirts of the parking lot. It's far enough away to properly look at the mechandise, but close enough to avoid an unsavory situations.

Also good to know your local laws. In Colorado, 2 people are a private transaction. You both just have to have valid drivers license. 3 or more people is considered a gun show, and must have an FFL and transfer paperwork filled out. (of course I've never done a private transaction with more than 2 people present)

 

[Bill2e]

Trust your gut & don't go anywhere you do not feel comfortable about.

Make sure you speak to the person on the phone and find a place that you both agree on.

 

[ShadyScott999]

I own my own business so I usually meet at my office during business hours. If you have a friend that is self employed maybe you could do the same. My turf is always better and nothing for anyone to come back and steal.

 

[Cannonball888]

At Starbuck's over a few cinnamon lattes.

 

[Fisherman_48768]

General Geoff said:

I've bought and sold guns in parking lots at night, never had any problems with the cops. And I just plain look shady (black trench coat, BDUs, fedora..)

Nobody called the cops because you probably blended in with the neighborhood bros.