How to Sell a Gun Privately or Online

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Selling a gun is not unlike selling a used car, but often comes with more legal responsibilities. It isn’t complicated, but there are steps to take to sell your firearm legally and responsibly. Bear in mind that you should check your local and state laws before making a sale.

Guns

Do I Need a Federal Firearms License?

If you are in the business of dealing firearms you need a federal firearms license (FFL) issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). While the ATF does not define “in the business,” if you buy guns with the intent to sell it for a profit you need to get an FFL. There is no set number of guns you can sell before needing an FFL. It all comes down to intent. If you are buying to resell at a profit, even a single time, that likely requires an FFL. On the other hand, if you only sell guns from your private collection, you likely do not need an FFL. When in doubt, contact your local ATF office or a competent firearm attorney.

Check Your State Laws

Next, check your state laws. Private sales are regulated at the state level, sometimes requiring a third party, such as an FFL, to handle the transfer. In some states, transactions between individuals are not subject to background checks and FFL transfer. In other states you have to go to a licensed dealer who does a background check on the buyer before you can hand your Glock 35 over. Once you have complied with state law, the transaction is much like any other.

Determine the Value

Gun values can vary wildly. Selling a Colt 1911 with a few thousand rounds through it will be worth less than a 1911 with less than a hundred rounds fired. Much like used cars, guns with history or from a high-end manufacturer command a higher price. An original production Colt Single Action Army in good condition that was used when the West was still wild is worth far more than a modern version. Rare models are worth more, such as prototypes or small production runs. Once you have made price comparisons, it’s time to actually make the sale.

Private Sale, Pawn Shop, or Online?

A private sale, depending on your state, can be easy or a hassle. There is no middle man, but you take on a lot of the responsibility, and you are likely limited to local buyers. A pawn shop will take some of the responsibility for you, but you also have to deal with the possibility of being lowballed on price. The pawn shop has to make a profit, after all. Your last and best option is selling online, either as a direct sale or through an auction, such as through GunBroker.com.

Making the Transfer

Once the price has been met and a buyer has paid you for the gun, you will need to ship it. Before you ship the firearm, you need to find out if the purchaser holds an FFL. If not, ask the purchaser which FFL holder they would prefer the firearm be shipped to; it’s often a gun shop, pawn shop, or sporting goods store. It is never a bad idea to contact the FFL holder to confirm their address and other information and inform them of the shipping and transfer of the firearm to the buyer.

The process for shipping a firearm differs some according to the kind of gun being shipped. For long guns like rifles, shotguns, and carbines, you can use the US Postal Service. For handguns, however, it is necessary to ship through a contract carrier like UPS or FedEx. It is also necessary to inform either the Postal Service or the contract carrier that you are shipping a firearm. Before shipping any firearm, however, visit the shipper’s website to review their specific firearm guidelines.

About GunBroker.com

If you are looking for a marketplace for gun enthusiasts, GunBroker.com is the perfect place for you. The GunBroker.com team is dedicated to sharing their affinity for guns, offering a platform for buying, selling, and finding new guns, hunting gear, gun parts, accessories, collectibles, and more. Whether you are looking for a DPMS 308, a CP 75, your favorite generation of Glock, or virtually any other firearm you can imagine, there is a good chance you can find it on GunBroker.com. They offer a safe, secure, and transparent way to buy guns online, strictly adhering to all policies and regulations and promoting responsible gun ownership. They offer tools for buyers and sellers, including an FFL lookup and buyer’s protection. If you are in the market for a firearm or want to sell a gun, GunBroker.com can help make the process easy.

Buy and sell guns through direct sales or auctions at Gunbroker.com

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