I have never sold a gun to a person through an online means like the classifieds at this site. I may put up a gun for sale here and elsewhere. I am wondering how one makes a secure transaction. By that I mean assuring that I get paid or if I buy assuring that I get what I paid for. Since there are folks here who have worked all that out I though this would be a good place to ask. THanks in advance for any answers.

A US Postal Money Order is the way I would proceed. AFAIK it's the most secure way. Cash the Money Order BEFORE shipping gun!

A money order works.Just make sure the buyer/seller has a reasonable history here

Unfortunately PayPal has a policy against being used for gun or gun related sales. Georgia just passed a law making such discriminatory banking and financial service practices illegal but for now it is not an option unless you lie on the forms.

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For guns under $1000.00 I use US Postal Money Orders, make sure you cash them at the post office before shipping because there are fakes out there.

For firearms over $1000.00 I use direct bank wire transfers. Let your bank set it up not the buyer's bank.

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If it's person to person I'd ask for cash, if not person to person USPS money order seems to be best. Problem with selling online is you may have some difficulty attracting buyers, here or on auction sites, if you don't have multiple positive feedbacks. It may be better to try Armslist for person to person sale or consignment at your LGS.

Thanks, good point.

If you receive a USPS Money order, the USPS has a phone number you can call to verify that the money order is 'probably' authentic. They have some good information on their website for verifying a money order.


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Academy Sports ships ammo even when paid with PayPal. I can't find my last invoice but I think they used something other than "Ammunition" in the description. It went through and I got my ammo. That's all I care about.

I've also used PayPal for Ebay sales of gun accessories, parts and tools without a problem.

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Unless the person has a history with me, I have them send a USPS MO. If I have a history with them, I'll accept most anything (assuming it's a GOOD history!). I have used wire transfers to my bank once or twice.

For smaller non-gun items, I'll usually accept personal checks, money orders (prefer) or cashier's check (prefer). Anything over $100 or $150, I'll require a USPS MO (Or, if the buyer has been a jerk!)

I only sell b2b belly to belly. IMO the costs and possibly getting scammed or even a host of other problems in shipping a gun isn't worth the risks to me.I don't sell or buy other than B2B from individuals. If they aren't an FFL then I don't even bother making an offer to buy or sell over the internet.
I have sold over a dozen guns over the years using Armslist and never had a problem. And yes I require the same forms and protocol as buying from a store. If a person doesn't like that then good bye.

I've bought & sold both here on the Forum & on Gunbroker . Been lucky never had a problem with payment & have only had to return 1 gun . I've accepted USPS & Bank money orders , cashiers checks , business checks & personal checks ( from fellow SWCA members ) . I ship when funds clear my bank . When buying do your homework . If unable to inspect before purchase , ask questions , ask for more photos , speak to seller on the phone , verify email & physical addresses , check sellers feedback / reputation . If buying from an FFL use a credit card as you can dispute the transaction as a last resort . It's the same old story Buyer Beware .

I hear you. The problem is that Paypal officially does not allow such transactions. Now, who are they going to quibble with a big outfit like AS or a private seller of one or two weapons? It got so bad here in Georgia that the state carry organization convinced the legislature to make such practices illegal, so it does happen regardless of various anecdotes to the contrary. Also, if you have a problem they are not going to back you up if they find out that you violated one of their rules - that gives them an out.

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I've bought and sold guns and accessories on here, gunbroker, armslist, and Florida gun trader and have always sent and accepted only good old USPS money orders. Good correspondence and mutual trust goes a long way. One gentleman on this forum even shipped a gun same day as I sent the MO!
As far as I'm concerned, pay pal can go suck eggs.

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Thanks to all for the information. It is helpful.

If They want to pay by check I tell them it must clear the bank before I ship the firearm,Most banks will tell you if the check is good if you call them with the account number.
If it is a face to face transaction I will accept cash or money order.
Also I always have someone with Me as back up for those just in case moments.

What is this "selling guns" of which you speak? It is a term with which I am unfamiliar.

Getting paid is easy
Have the buyer send you a U.S. Postal money order.
Cash at post office then ship the gun.

When you are the buyer you are taking your chances when you buy from an individual. You send your money order and hope they ship the gun to you on a C and R or to your local FFL.

If you are buying from a dealer, pay via credit card and take the 3% hit as insurance.

I have never sent out a money order to a seller with no rating on gunbroker.

If you do send a money order be prepared to lose it all. If deal goes way south you will never get your money back.

If it is a big purchase, have the seller bring gun to an FFL for shipping and contact the FFL, and make sure he will give your money order to the seller only after seller gives the gun to the FFL. This way the FFL is acting as your escrow. FFL will expect compensation for time and trouble.

If it is a really big purchase, go out to seller's location and arrange a lawful transfer. Long guns can transfer at an FFL and it can then be shipped. Handgun will need to be shipped to your local FFL

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