ingmansinc
US Veteran
This may seem like a strange question, but I am sincere. Is there a law as to the number of handguns that an individual can buy and sell in a year before they must get an FFL?
How many handguns can you buy in a year
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smith revolver cop
Member
Oh, this is a legal question... I thought maybe it was an invitation to a new Smith Forum contest!!!
Andy Griffith
Member
I think it is 12 in The People's Republic of California, simply because of the one handgun a month law.
There is no federal limit, but there may be state and local ones. I do think that if you went into a dealer and bought more than two of the same identical firearm (handgun or long gun) that weren't youth rifles or similar a dealer might report it as strange.
The only limitations is that buying firearms in general for livelihood or profit would require an FFL.
There is no federal limit, but there may be state and local ones. I do think that if you went into a dealer and bought more than two of the same identical firearm (handgun or long gun) that weren't youth rifles or similar a dealer might report it as strange.
The only limitations is that buying firearms in general for livelihood or profit would require an FFL.
Storm52
Member
If there are multiple purchases (some where I remember 5 in a week) it sends a flag up at ATF. I'm not sure that you are restricted but a notice from the FFL to ATF has to be made. You only need a FFL if you are going to deal and transfer firearms.
IANAL and I don't work for the BATFE.
For several years I shot skeet with on of their regional directors, and I asked him this exact question. The law does not specify a number. You cannot get a license just to buy guns at a discount. On the other hand, you must obtain a license if you "engage in the business of buying and selling guns for a profit." They are sensitive about people who always seem to have a table at the gunshows, and always are advertising guns for sale on broker sites. They also sometimes trace multiple purchases of the same type or model to see who has them, like were they immediately transferred to another person.
And of course if you are caught privately selling across state lines, that is a felony.
Probably not as clear an answer any of us would like, but you can always ask your BATFE office and see if they clarify further.
For several years I shot skeet with on of their regional directors, and I asked him this exact question. The law does not specify a number. You cannot get a license just to buy guns at a discount. On the other hand, you must obtain a license if you "engage in the business of buying and selling guns for a profit." They are sensitive about people who always seem to have a table at the gunshows, and always are advertising guns for sale on broker sites. They also sometimes trace multiple purchases of the same type or model to see who has them, like were they immediately transferred to another person.
And of course if you are caught privately selling across state lines, that is a felony.
Probably not as clear an answer any of us would like, but you can always ask your BATFE office and see if they clarify further.
morsecode
Member
Several years ago I went on a poker streak at the Indian casino, playing midnight to 7am, and stopped at my local shop on the way home each morning to add to my Ruger obsession courtesy the night's winnings. Think I bought 7 handguns in 9 nine days. Never heard diddly about it.
The helicopters at night were somewhat annoying, but went away after a couple weeks.
Guessing at what might raise a red flag at ATF is the same as guessing what triggers an audit from the IRS. I would not want to try buying 4 identical evil black guns in a week, or even a month.
The helicopters at night were somewhat annoying, but went away after a couple weeks.
Guessing at what might raise a red flag at ATF is the same as guessing what triggers an audit from the IRS. I would not want to try buying 4 identical evil black guns in a week, or even a month.
firedog3700
Member
No federal restriction
No federal restriction on the number of handguns you can buy in any given time. However, if you purchase more than one in a seven-day period from the same dealer, the dealer must send your name and info and what you purchased to the BATFE within a day or two.
Other than that, you're only limited by your wallet (or you wife!).
No federal restriction on the number of handguns you can buy in any given time. However, if you purchase more than one in a seven-day period from the same dealer, the dealer must send your name and info and what you purchased to the BATFE within a day or two.
Other than that, you're only limited by your wallet (or you wife!).
How much money you got???
Many states, like the peoples republic of California, limit you to one NEW handgun a month. You can private party handguns to your heart's content because, even though they go thorugh a dealer to be legal, you are not buying them from the dealer, you are buying them from the private owner.
I don't know about buying used guns from dealers that are owned by the dealer.
Many states, like the peoples republic of California, limit you to one NEW handgun a month. You can private party handguns to your heart's content because, even though they go thorugh a dealer to be legal, you are not buying them from the dealer, you are buying them from the private owner.
I don't know about buying used guns from dealers that are owned by the dealer.
My license places certain undefined limits on firearms related purchases, but I understood that when I got married!
Landpimp
Member
bought as many as 10 at a time, 20 or so in a week, at least 50 a year for last few years, beside a tired hand.....no problem
but I dont sell....just buy
but I dont sell....just buy
The Shottist
Member
You can buy as many as you can afford. Selling is the act that can get you in trouble. If you are reselling them, you need to get a license. Don't try to be a part time reseller without a license.
OP
ingmansinc
US Veteran
Thanks for the info guys, this is the answers that I was looking for. Resale and profit are the key words that you have given me. Understood.
As many as your credit card company / wife / safe will allow.
My safe is officially full. The Mrs says "... does that mean you're going to stop buying all these guns and save some money for once?" My reply (although a hollow threat) "... nope, time to buy a bigger safe!"
My safe is officially full. The Mrs says "... does that mean you're going to stop buying all these guns and save some money for once?" My reply (although a hollow threat) "... nope, time to buy a bigger safe!"
Before I got my C&R license I transfer through a gun shop about 50 miles away. I would wait until I had 2 or more to pick up then go fill out 4473 and bring them home. I was in the shop picking up some transfersand a gentleman introduces himself to me and tells me he was going to contact me about my multiple purchases, he was part of a drug task force and was forwarded my name due to multiple purchaes. That day I was picking up 2 pre war 44 specials a second and third model as I remember. He was not given what type of gun I was purchasing just mulitple purchases. He was more concerned with semi auto hand guns and rifles and he indicated no problem on his end.
I see him occational and we have become friends and he asked why he was not seeing my name anymore and I told him I now had the C&R.
I see him occational and we have become friends and he asked why he was not seeing my name anymore and I told him I now had the C&R.
The form for Multiple Handgun Purchases requires the FFL to list Make Model and Serial Number of the handguns transferred. Apparently this gentleman was only given a name and not a copy of the form ...
Bekeart
He was a deputy sheriff from the county the gun shop is located in and was a member of
an area drug task force, all he was given was the name and address of mulitple purchasers
an area drug task force, all he was given was the name and address of mulitple purchasers
I bought 27 (21 hand & 6 long) on the same 4473 about 10 years ago. I bought them from a friend that was closing his gun store. About 2 weeks after I bought them I got a "Knock & Talk" at about 05UGLY.
Class III
Class III
Unless you live in a sate with draconian regulations, as many as you can afford and/or desire.
Regarding the multiple purchase, a licensed dealer is required to file a multiple handgun disposition report anytime the same individual buy two or more handguns within a seven day period. I have a customer of mine, mid-'50's white guy that buys a lot of handguns, primarily old west SAA type guns, quality collector pieces, etc. I was talking about these reports with an ATF agent I know, he said someone looks at every one of these reports, but no action is ever taken unless there are flags; he said my guys probably wouldn't get a second look unless these guns started showing up in traces. He did tell me that when they see black/mexican girls in their 20's and 30's on the reports, that is the biggest flag in the system.
Regarding the multiple purchase, a licensed dealer is required to file a multiple handgun disposition report anytime the same individual buy two or more handguns within a seven day period. I have a customer of mine, mid-'50's white guy that buys a lot of handguns, primarily old west SAA type guns, quality collector pieces, etc. I was talking about these reports with an ATF agent I know, he said someone looks at every one of these reports, but no action is ever taken unless there are flags; he said my guys probably wouldn't get a second look unless these guns started showing up in traces. He did tell me that when they see black/mexican girls in their 20's and 30's on the reports, that is the biggest flag in the system.
Mickey D
Member
We can buy as many handguns as we want if face to face with a private citizen through an FFL.
The one a month is for any new handgun or those in an FFL's private inventory.
44forever
Member
I bought seven at the going-out-of-business auction of a gunshop back in 1999. The prize was a 4" mod 28-2 for $235.00 unfired in the box with all papers and tools!
