How Do I Sell A Firearm On The Internet?

[semperfi71]

I know the gun auctions and the sale forum here.

But I have no FFL.

I have seen whereby folks sell and it appears they are only required to have an FFL at the buyer's end [out of state].

So, if I have no FFL, how do I sell/gun auction across state lines?

Thank you.

 

[ken158]

You make your deal and have buyer provide a copy of his dealer's FFL along whith his funds and that is where you ship. FFL holders can receive from anyone anywhere - provide the dealer a copy of your driver's license so he can put it in his book coming from you prior to making the transfer to your buyer. Of course we are NOT talking about CA where things are so screwed up that it is not worth the trouble.

 

[Camster]

Everyone is required to have an FFL at the receiving end.Most( I don't know what percentage-I am though) require it to be sent from an FFL.
Fees are charged by FFLs for this service,-bear in mind that next day delivery service may be required as well.Figure these potential costs and full insurance as well.

 

[cowart]

So, if I have no FFL, how do I sell/gun auction across state lines?

I've done this several times - its quite easy.

1. Request a copy of the receiving FFL's license.
2. Go to your local FedEx or UPS main depot, not one of the outlying "stores".
3. Tell the clerk that the package contains a firearm, and provide the business name of the receipient FFL, *exactly* as it appears on the license. The clerk will generally not ask to see the actual license, but will enter the business name into the computer system for verification.

Thats all there is to it.

 

[cowart]

Everyone is required to have an FFL at the receiving end.

Thats not always correct - intrastate transfers do not require an FFL at either end, unless the state has added this as a local requirement, as has happened in California.

 

[DCWilson]

You make your deal and have buyer provide a copy of his dealer's FFL along whith his funds and that is where you ship. FFL holders can receive from anyone anywhere - provide the dealer a copy of your driver's license so he can put it in his book coming from you prior to making the transfer to your buyer. Of course we are NOT talking about CA where things are so screwed up that it is not worth the trouble.

[RANT]

Actually the process is identical in California for non-FFLs who are selling into the state. Your buyer just needs to make sure that his receiving FFL is willing to receive from a private party. I know of no law controlling this. It is pretty much optional for FFLs in CA. Some choose not receive from non-FFLs as a form of self-enforced anti-hassle insurance.

You can ship any antique or Curio & Relic gun into California. More recent guns may NOT be shipped in if they are not on the California DOJ-certified list. Any CA buyer should know this, and he should not be offering to buy your gun if he cannot get it into the state legally.

Only if you are an FFL (which we already know you are not), would you have to go through the one additional step of getting a letter from CA DOJ through their CFLC program that will authorize you to ship to the designated receiving FFL. This step frosts a lot of out-of-state FFLs, who would rather ignore CA business and blow off all the gun money here on principle, rather than burn the 10 minutes it takes to get set up with the CFLC program and the two minutes it takes to square away every subsequent transaction. Well, maybe I exaggerate. Let's say four minutes.

I have bought nearly two dozen out of state guns in the last couple of years. With one exception, which involves a gun for which I am currently trying to establish C&R status, I have never been prevented from bringing into California a gun I bought out of state, and no out of state seller has ever had to jump through any additional hoop more complicated than the CFLC process.

California has some really annoying and goofy firearms laws, but this "too much trouble to sell into the state" stuff is just hogwash.

[/RANT]

 

[shooter7]

Though I've never done it before myself, as has been stated, you must tell the buyer that you are not an ffl, so he can check if his ffl will receive the type of firearm you will be sending, and will receive from someone who isn't licensed. You need a signed copy of the receiving dealer's ffl. The receiving ffl needs to know who the firearm came from, so they can log it into their bound book, so a copy of your driver's license is smart to send along. You must have the buyer find out whether the ffl they choose, will receive the type of firearm you are sending. Around here, there are some ffls that won't do transfers at all, there are some that will only transfer "antiques", and there are some that will only transfer hunting type firearms. It's there license, and I guess they can do as they wish, as much as I don't like it.

You should also check the atf website with the ffl number, to make sure the receiving ffl has a license that is current. Check here: https://www.atfonline.gov/fflezcheck/

Make sure you put in the ad or auction that the buyer must know their own state laws, regarding whether the firearm is ok in that state. As has been stated CA has some current firearms, that are not ok to be sent, and there are some states where current or "postban" "assault rifles" are not ok to be sent. If you send accessories, like normal capacity magazines with a semi automatic, make sure they are legal to send with the gun to the state you are sending it to.

Make sure you have the buyer's name and phone number easily available for the receiving dealer to see, so they know who the firearm is for.

I would make sure ahead of time what the approximate cost of shipping with insurance is, and also require a signature from the receiving ffls end.

Remember, only a dealer may send a handgun through the USPS, and I believe that UPS and FedEx require next day air shipping of handguns.

Realistically, you will get hosed if you try to sell or trade in a gun at your local dealer, because they have to make money on the gun, and the internet gives you the best shot at getting a decent price.

 

[haris1]

how do i sell a firearms on the net

Shooter 7 is 100 per cent correct on his posting. with fedex and UPS, that is their own rules , not ATF rules and if you send it ground or some cheaper way and it gets lost or damaged , you will be out of luck with your insurance claim. Also UPS wants you to describe the contents , and you will have to misrepresent it if you dont want to go next day air and once you misrepresent the contents, do you think you will be on solid ground if it gets lost or stolen and you file a claim?

 

[tomhenry]

There's always the option of advertising "face to face" transaction only. If your state allows it, of course.

 

[semperfi71]

Thanks everyone. I have bought firearms off the internet, but never sold.

 

[nightshade2x]

In Pennsylvania FTF with no background check is for long rifles and shot guns only. All handgun transactions even between individual parties (FTF) still must be processed through an FFL on the buyers side. I don't know how other states do it.

Have fun and be safe.
Nightshade2x

 

[maglvr]

Ironic, the only ones who think it's no problem shipping guns to Commiefornia, are those who live there, and don't have to jump through all the hoops.

 

[GKC]

Timely thread, as I was just getting ready to ask the same question. I have never sold a firearm to an unknown another party, just to relatives, or sold/traded them at a dealer (and yes, you don't get as much for them there, understandably.) I do have some guns I am planning on selling in the next month or so.

Questions: how do you handle the FTF sales? It seems to me that it could be a potential issue with unknown parties meeting to exchange cash and firearms. Do you request the funds in advance before you meet to deliver the gun? Have the buyer come to your home, or meet in a public place? What other precautions or arrangements do you take/make?

 

[Camster]

I guess it really depends on your read of the buyer.I've had guys come to the house,met them at my friendly local dealer,or the range.
...if the guy has an extreme interest in buying your 9 -M -M,I'd be cautious.Any prospect that I've had,came from a gun publication or forum-I wouldn't place an ad in the local pennysaver.I will add that I live in a state where no FTF of handguns is permitted-it's only been rimfire/shotgun sales FTF,except for one handgun transfer at my local dealer, and that gentleman was a member here and LEO.

 

[handejector]

Ironic, the only ones who think it's no problem shipping guns to Commiefornia, are those who live there, and don't have to jump through all the hoops.

Not so.
I ship to California from the east coast all the time.

Setting up a CFLC account- 2 minutes if you are slow.
https://webapps.doj.ca.gov/cflc/acknowledge.do

Checking the CADOJ list of approved guns- 1 minute once you get familiar with it.
http://certguns.doj.ca.gov/

Logging in to CFLC, filling out form, printing two letters (one for me, one for receiving FFL)- what? maybe 2 minutes

But, I REALLY agree- NO Dealer besides me should ship to California. I like the idea of having a private goldmine.....