Gunbroker Advice - Privacy Concern

Artist007

Artist007

Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2019
Messages
101
Reaction score
187
Location
South East Tennessee
I have a couple of guns listed on Gunbroker. I just got a message from a viewer that says: "Will you send me a copy of your driver license for my FFL's records?" I'm assuming they are asking because I'm a private individual and not an FFL dealer myself. But I'm weary of giving such personal information, and definitely wouldn't to someone not bidding. Is this common practice? Is it necessary by law for them to need a copy of my driver license? Any advice is greatly appreciated.
 
Register to hide this ad
A FFL must send a copy of their FFL license when shipping a gun to another FFL. A private individual may ship to an FFL if they include a copy of their ID. It's up to the receiving FFL if they will even take a transfer from an individual. Some will not.

Most of the FFL's I've used tell me it is a REQUIREMENT to get the ID when the shipping party is not an FFL. They have to show the BATF that ID if they come through.

All the sellers I've used off GB have all complied except one. The FFL called me immediately upon receipt and said if they didn't get it immediately, they were shipping the gun back. He sent the ID and all was good.

If I buy off a website that only puts people together, I require an ID and phone call. I check the info online, before I send my money.

I would not send any ID to just a bidder.


Prescut
 
Last edited:
oddshooter, that sounds right to me. I wouldn't wanna send it to just a bidder, especially if they haven't even bid yet. But I was thinking that sending it to the receiving FFL would be what I need to do. Great advice. Thank you!
 
arjay, yes I've read the same thing about mailing handguns. It has to be a contract shipping company for hire, or some similar wording.
 
I’ve sold a few long guns on the internet and shipped them to an FFL and they have all required a copy of my DL.
Recent one did not want to send me a copy of his FFL he gave his name and address only. I told him I needed a copy of his FFL or the deal was off. He finally agreed to send the FFFL.
Was wondering if he was trying to trip me up.
 
Artist007 said:
I have a couple of guns listed on Gunbroker. I just got a message from a viewer that says: "Will you send me a copy of your driver license for my FFL's records?" I'm assuming they are asking because I'm a private individual and not an FFL dealer myself. But I'm weary of giving such personal information, and definitely wouldn't to someone not bidding. Is this common practice? Is it necessary by law for them to need a copy of my driver license? Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

I have done this several times. You never have to or iMO should NOT send any ID to a person bidding or even if they win one of your guns. You ID does go to the FFL if you are shipping direct as a private individual to an FFL but only to the FFL not the buyer. If you are shipping directly to an FFL it also has to be an overnight "courier", defined by ATF as a common carrier, like FED EX and cannot be through the USPS even if it were to get there overnight. On this point I find it much cheaper to ship through my FFL than to ship direct. I made the mistake last year of buying a gun from Texas and it was not shipped through an FFL but directly from the individual. I missed that in the details and excitement of buying the gun. Anyway his shipping cost Fed Ex to my FFL was over $90 with insurance. If he had used an FFL it would have been $45 -$55. I couldn't convince him to do that (why I don't know as my FFl has a record of him selling it) I digress.. Short answer is only send copy of ID to buying person's FFL and only if shipped privately.
 
Last edited:
The obvious thing is to send an answer to the person who is considering bidding writing that if they "win" the auction then you will send your ID to their FFL. I have a strict rule. No matter how dumb or unreasonable my question might appear to a seller or how insulting my offer might be if they will not answer a question I will never bid on their stuff. I'm happy to be told to go jump in the lake or being sent less polite rejections but not answering is terminal. The reason is simple. I'm not going to risk that the seller will not answer questions that are necessary to complete the sale after I "win" the auction. That can end in a non-paying complaint against my account when I'm actually trying to pay.

Remember, you are asking the buyer to send money to a complete stranger. That is the greater risk.
 
Last edited:
Artist007 said:
... But I'm weary of giving such personal information, and definitely wouldn't to someone not bidding. Is this common practice? Is it necessary by law for them to need a copy of my driver license? Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

Obviously, don’t send anything to anybody unless it involves completing an actual transaction in progress.

Furthermore, the only time I’ve sent (asked for) drivers license copies was way back when I was buying and selling some replica muzzle-loaders; while these don’t require any FFL involvement, states have various age restrictions, and since everybody want to cover their rear, it is customary to send a DL copy on those occasions. But again, only if an actual sale was happening.
 
mbliss57 said:
I have done this several times. You never have to or iMO should NOT send any ID to a person bidding or even if they win one of your guns. You ID does go to the FFL if you are shipping direct as a private individual to an FFL but only to the FFL not the buyer. If you are shipping directly to an FFL it also has to be an overnight courier like FED EX and cannot be through the USPS even if it were to get there overnight. On this point I find it much cheaper to ship through my FFL than to ship direct. I made the mistake last year of buying a gun from Texas and it was not shipped through an FFL but directly from the individual. I missed that in the details and excitement of buying the gun. Anyway his shipping cost Fed Ex to my FFL was over $90 with insurance. If he had used an FFL it would have been $45 -$55. I couldn't convince him to do that (why I don't know as my FFl has a record of him selling it) I digress.. Short answer is only send copy of ID to buying person's FFL and only if shipped privately.
Click to expand...

Shipping to an FFL from a non FFL has to be an overnight courier?
Are you sure about that?
 
I don't think that's a federal requirement, but Fedex and UPS both require that for handgun shipments (probably so they can rake the seller for the maximum amount of money they can get). That's why shipping through a FFL is generally cheaper.
 
df06 said:
Shipping to an FFL from a non FFL has to be an overnight courier?
Are you sure about that?
Click to expand...

I am sure that it is the only way it is legally possible to ship a handgun currently. But I am always willing to learn.

Gun Broker breaks it down very well too.

Firearms Shipping Guide – GunBroker

Unless you have an FFL or Class 3 C&R license (for handguns over 50 years old), it is illegal to ship through the USPS. The only 2 carriers that will allow a private citizen to ship a handgun to a FFL directly are Fed Ex and UPS. Both REQUIRE it be an overnight delivery. No other service will allow a handgun to be shipped at all.
So technically it is possible to not have to ship overnight if there was a courier service that would deliver a handgun in such a manor. But there is not.. Unless someone has new information...??
On a side note, if you are interested and often buying/ selling Curio and relic guns, (over 50 years) a Class 03 FFL C&R License is only a $30 application fee and an application to the ATF. The turn around time to obtain one, if you are qualify, is only about 1 month right now. Guns newer than 50 years have to be shipped through a fully licensed FFL and all rules noted above still apply.
 
Last edited:
doublesharp said:
When you do get ready to ship, Bud's Guns has an alternative to the high priced carriers. As an individual shipping to an ffl, you must include a copy of dl but no reason to send it until the sale is made. Strange request asking for dl copy before a deal is made. :confused:

Gun Shipping - Fast, Legal, Affordable
Click to expand...

Ok this is another way I just learned about tonight. It is still an overnight service but it is in line with shipping cost through an FFL and USPS. I checked their cost of "SMG" against the cost of a gun I shipped last week through my FFL (He as a $25 fee) and they were with $1 of each other. I will have to give this a try. Thanks for sharing.

I will add that my FFL boxes and ships my transfers, I just drop it off and give him any relevant info. (usually ahead of time y email) He logs it in and I am done. I had another I worked with and he did everything, I just brought him the gun. His fee is still $20 and I get a Friends andFamily discount from that. So it's actually less hassle to use an FFL in my situation than even this new "Buds' Marketing Model. I also realize many are not in the same situation as I am either by distance, cost or other factors.
 
Last edited:
The ATF regulations talk about shipping by “common or contract CARRIER”. (That means: not the USPS.)

Might someone have gotten that mixed up with “courier”? :)

To quote from the ATF FAQ’s, with applicable law cited:

A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by a common or contract carrier to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun. In addition, Federal law requires that the carrier be notified that the shipment contains a firearm and prohibits common or contract carriers from requiring or causing any label to be placed on any package indicating that it contains a firearm.

[18 U.S.C. 922(a)(2)(A), 922(a) (3), 922(a)(5) and 922(e), 27 CFR 478.31 and 478.30]
 
Last edited:
In any on-line activity there will be folks trolling to steal what they can.

I have no problem sending a copy of my DL along with a firearm I am shipping to a FFL dealer for delivery to a legitimate buyer. I would never send any personal information to anyone before a transaction has been confirmed and payment received.

A few years ago I was contacted by the legendary Nigerian prince, deposed from his rightful position and living in exile, who wanted to buy my gunbroker-listed item if I would just accept his international money order for a large sum and refund the balance with the shipment. Sounded like a pretty good deal, but I passed anyway.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

8shot
  • Locked
Beware of Gunbroker
2
Replies
38
Views
1K
murphydog
murphydog
N
Selling on GunBroker
Replies
6
Views
526
CalifEd
C
T
Gunbroker acting hinkey for anyone else?
Replies
4
Views
209
mchom
M
J
Some Gunbroker sellers deny sales to New Hampshire
Replies
17
Views
927
BillyMagg
B
R
selling on gunbroker
2
Replies
21
Views
821
ladder13
ladder13

Latest posts

Back
Top