Do you ask for any info when selling guns to individuals?

[hkruss]

What I mean is, do you ask for I.D. to verify age, or ask questions like, "are you buying the gun for yourself, or, are you legally allowed to buy this gun, (as in, are you a convicted felon)"?
I'm sure the law may be different in some parts of the country, but here in Alabama, it is not required, (as far as I have been told by many, including a couple of LEO's). Someone correct me if that info is incorrect.
I've seen numerous sales by private individuals at gun shows where no questions were asked other than, "how much". Same goes for guns bought though newspaper classified ad's.
I just do not want to ever sell to some lowlife who might use it in a crime. Of course, there are no guarantees, but I'm thinking it would not hurt to at least ask these questions and maybe get them to sign something saying they are legally allowed to buy the gun. Kind of like trying to cover my butt legally should the gun be used in a crime.
It may not help much, but it would not hurt either!

So what, if any, precautions do you take when selling to an individual?



.

[JLA]

honestly, I kinda follow my gut on this one. If the person strikes me as an evil doer Ill back out of the sale. I mostly only sell to friends I have known for years. I have only ever sold to one stranger and he was a cop anyway and wanted a backup gun so I wasnt too bothered by the possibility of my gun killing someone since it would most likely be used to kill a badguy.

[Redhand]

I always ask for some form of I.D and ask if they are a convicted felon or prohibited from owning a gun. I'm more particular about handgun transactions. CYOA

[fleetwood1976]

I sell to people I know. If not, I require a permit for handguns.

[Redhand]

How many have sold to dealers at gunshows where the dealer didn't ask any questions?

[TheGunClinger]

Here in Fla. you are not supposed to sell to a convicted felon or anyone who has been convicted of a misdemeanor involving violence. I went to the local Police station and asked them what requirements there are on selling a gun and thats what they told me. I asked them how do you know?? I was told that ask them and if they said no it was ok. Hmmmm. Kinda lax. So I guess that here you go with your gut.

[hkruss]

Originally Posted by Redhand

How many have sold to dealers at gunshows where the dealer didn't ask any questions?

Good question!

(although I would not sell to a dealer since you would probably be lucky to get 70 % of what a gun is truly worth!)

[PPK 32]

I follow all the laws in this state as far as private sales go. Ask for FOID card, document transaction, including serial. Have never sold to anyone that strikes me as a shady person.

[docwalt]

Best yet....try and find another States needed paperwork. You could most likely find it on their State Police websites. If not...print out your own form
and have the buyer sign it.

[Suwannee Tim]

I have never sold a gun to anyone I didn't know but if I did I think I might require them to fill out a BATFE form 4473 for my records.

[cranky cj]

So, go through an FFL and make the buyer pay the fee. Or as Tim said, get a blank copy of the form and make him fill it out, sign it and keep it for your records.

[Farmerjon]

Better yet, don't sell!! Buy ones you want to keep/shoot/look at/modify/restore/hang on the wall/etc. But don't sell them!

[JLA]

farmerjon has a good point... Howelse are you supposed to build a large gun collection

[CampingJosh]

I sold two at a gun show today without even knowing names. I also bought one that way (one that I ended up selling, but that wasn't my intention when I bought it).

I was at a gun show. My rule of thumb is that if they are already in possession of a firearm, then I feel free to assume that either (a) they are legally allowed to have a firearm or (b) they are deceptive about not being legally allowed to have a firearm. Either way, I feel covered.

[Big ugly]

Im with you Josh only I ask for names and document it just in case. But for the most part I dont sell unless I am goin broke.

[pickenup]

I get more documentation when I am selling a car.
For guns, it's cash and a handshake.

It is unlawful to KNOWINGLY sell a gun to a felon, etc.
That is all the law states, that applies here.

I have backed out of selling a gun, because I knew that person was a felon, had mental problems, or my gut told me to. Once time for each.

[mark_baron]

I have sold many and I am in the process of liquidating my collection of long guns and shotguns. I always ask for the buyers drivers license. I record their name and driver's license number. This way I know they are residents of the state of Florida (fedreal law requires sales to same or contiguous states), and by recording their number it shows I actually checked. I tell them I don't want their address, I won't be sending them a birthday card, and if the police want to find them, they can. I don't do bills of sale. They have the gun, I have their cash and their number; good enough (more than enough in the state of Florida).

[Double D]

I have bought a couple guns that were carried into a gun show. I made the person produce ID and wrote the info down. It is not required, and if someone doesnt want to produce ID they dont have to. But they will have to go elsewhere to sell the gun.

[larryg]

Although not required the LEOs that taught my CCW class strongly suggested writing up a bill of sale with both names and gun details then both sign it. Keep this forever in case the gun ever turns up and is traced to you the bill of sale can save you a lot of grief and investigation. I will follow this if I ever sell any

[dianalv]

The last gun I bought did not come with a bill of sale. Usually the gun shows in Las Vegas are extremely strict. You have to fill out the paperwork for a "blue card" in Clark county as well as go through an FFL. This last show the rules were completely ignored. I'm guessing the time frame on the original legislation governing gun show sales is about to expire? Anyway, 3 of us purchased guns without any paperwork at all. All cash transactions. One was a handgun, but both seller and buyer were from states that don't require handgun registration. It is required in Clark county, which is the only county in Nevada that does require it, worse luck!

I've only sold one gun and that was to a close friend and fellow Hunter Ed instructor and was a long rifle I can no longer shoot because of the recoil. We just exchanged cash for gun. I don't think I'd like selling to a complete stranger without them passing the background check. I have an FFL I can go to for such things.

[user]

I use a bill of sale form that doubles as an affidavit of eligibility. I check ID to see that the person has the same name and address as he's written on the bill of sale, and when he signs it, he's swearing under penalty of perjury that he's eligible to receive the gun.
Send me an email if you want a copy in PDF.

[glocknut]

They get 10% off if they bring a good looking lap dancer with them to entertain me while we are talking prices....

mike
gn

[questor]

For sure, how much MONEY do you have.

[hogger129]

Originally Posted by JLA

honestly, I kinda follow my gut on this one. If the person strikes me as an evil doer Ill back out of the sale. I mostly only sell to friends I have known for years. I have only ever sold to one stranger and he was a cop anyway and wanted a backup gun so I wasnt too bothered by the possibility of my gun killing someone since it would most likely be used to kill a badguy.

I agree with you. Someone legally selling guns is like any other business owner. They have the right to refuse service to anybody they want.

I mean if I were a gun store owner and someone struck me as shady, or like not all there or something, I'd at least ask for more information if not kindly ask them to leave.

[hogger129]

Is this not why we do background checks? When I bought my 1911 from Gander Mountain, I got to look at the different guns I was interested in, get a feel for them, the guy gave me a little information about both of them, made a recommendation. I decided I wanted to buy it, he went and got the paperwork, went over it with me so I knew what I was doing because I told him this was my first firearm. He probably knew because I look younger. He seemed nice about it, I was cooperative, did the paperwork. He never made me pay a cent. He sent it in to do the background check. 48 hours later, I came in, he said my check was all good, I paid for it, took posession of it. Overall, I would definitely do business with them again. They didn't force me into anything, didn't ask any intruding questions, were very polite. I think it helped that I was white too. Not to sound racist or anything. I think most people assume the average white person is a law abiding citizen. But they can't just assume that - hence background checks.

BTW - they also asked to see my drivers' license when I was filling in the paperwork.