selling woes
 

I have several guns I would like to offer for sale to you guys first, as opposed to selling them locally.
However, it would appear that our guvamint, in its infinite wisdom, has made that impractical.
I sold one gun on this forum and my local FFL charged me $50 [@#%*^(@)$^&] to send it off to AZ where the recipient had to pay another $25-$30 to pick it up. Simply ridiculous and patently unfair to both buyer and seller!
I am reluctant to consider getting an FFL both because I do not have and do not want a store front, and I do not want Uncle Sam's nose stuck in my private affairs (yeah, I know, that ship sailed a long time ago).
In many cases I don't think an antiques and relics (?) license would do either.

What have the rest of you done to solve this problem, or do you just grin and bear it?

Dave,

You, as the seller, do not need to go through an FFL dealer to ship it(with the exception of a couple of states). You merely need to send it to an FFL or C&R holder(depending on ATF Regs.). Anybody can legally sell and ship a firearm. An FFL is only required to receive a firearm.

Ron

David, much depends on the gun; if it is a C&R, then you don't need a FFL to ship it to another FFL holder (unless your state demands it). If you had a C&R FFL buyer, you could ship direct to them. If the item is an FFL item, then I believe it has to be shipped and received by an FFL 01 (unless sent back to a manufacturer license holder).

We are talking pistols / revolvers here, not rifles or shotguns.

Value makes a difference, i.e. a $1500 pistol, folks want it and will pay and possibly expect the shipping / FFL prices, while a $200 revolver doesn't seem "worth it"...

Ed

I sold one gun on this forum and my local FFL charged me $50 .


Wow. Mine only charges me $10. I owe him big time!

David,

I'm faced with the same dilemma. The first pistol I purchased on the forum was sent to a dealer who was a friend of mine. Since he owed me a favor, there was no charge except for the $10 state transfer tax.

However, with the second Luger I purchased, there was still the $10 state tax but this time with an additional $50 fee. All this for having me fill out an application, give a thumb print, and make a call to the registration office. I was a little put out with the $50 "handling" charge but didn't make a big issue about it because the guys who helped me were just employees.

Like you, I don't like the added fee, especially since I'll be buying more guns in the future. If it were my store, I would charge $15-20 and keep my customers' goodwill. Since I don't intend to go back to this store too often in the future, I didn't ask about their "sending" fee for outgoing guns.

It looks like time for me to start considering other options.

Dave in TN.

Hi, If you are only buying Curios & Relics then the $30 for a 3 year license is worth it. The guys above are right. With the exception of a few states, you as the gun owner can ship to a FFL or C & R license holder in another state. A handgun is supposed to be shipped FedEx overnight. As a seller you should have no cost on your end if you have the buyer pay the shipping. If he returns it to you for some reason, he would have to send it to a FFL 01 license holder only. Then you may incur a charge. Happy Easter. Doug

Ed,

That's not correct. Anyone, licensed or not, can legally sell and ship any non-class 3 firearm. However, it does have to be shipped to a licensed individual or dealer. The seller does not have to be licensed. Only the receiver/buyer. This is all subject to state laws, however.

Also, USPS regulations state that handguns can only be shipped through the mail from a Licensed Dealer to a Licensed Dealer.

Ron

Thanks Ron, I can't think of the last 01 item I bought out of state... let alone shipping one to someone (never I think). I have been "forced" to ship a 03 item to someones 01, which is a bit irritating.... And have had them ship a 03 item to an 01 on my end, federal rules be damned :grr:

Just to clarify... By "Class 3" I am refering to Full Autos, Suppressed firearms and Shotguns with barrels shorter than 18". Anything classified as Destructive Devices by ATF. Not 03 FFL (C&R) guns.

David, What type of guns do you have for sale? Jerry Burney

2 S&W .44 mags, stainless
1 S&W .38 special, stainless, fixed sights
1 1910/1955 Browning .380
1 1908 Colt .380 Hammerless
and possibly a few others, I'm still thinking about it.

David, I would be interested in the .380 Colt. let me know! Jerry Burney

Transfer agents
 

Aucton Arms and Gun broker have lists of FFL's that transfer guns for a fee. Just enter your ZIP code and distance you want to travel and it gives a list. Give a look, you may find a reasonable price.
Tom

David, If your dealer is also paying the next day air shipping, $50 sounds reasonable. Th

Me too!

Is anyone listening???

You do not have to pay a dealer to transfer a firearm, unless your state or the state you are shipping to has regulations that require otherwise.

I spent 32 years with USPS. Part of my job for a majority of that time was to determine if a firearm was mailable. I was often in contact with ATF and Postal Inspectors to translate and coordinate the regulations.


The following is taken from page 176 of BATF regulations.


"(B8) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm
by common or contract carrier?
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."


The only exception is when the state that you are shipping from or to, requires a transfer from a Licensed Dealer to a Licensed Dealer.


USPS
Long guns~ Individual to Licensed Dealer.
Hand guns~ Licensed Dealer to Licensed Dealer ~only~

UPS
Long guns~ Individual to Licensed Dealer
Hand guns~ Individual to Licensed Dealer ~Overnight only~

FedEx
Long guns~ Individual to Licensed Dealer
Hand guns~ Individual to Licensed Dealer

Lugerdoc,
Shipping was not next day air, but rather next week mule.

Having a quite little experience in this in the last few years... Here's my 2 cents worth. As stated above, handguns cannot be shipped by an individual through the USPS. Long guns can. In both cases a receiving FFL or C&R are required. FedX will USPS store front shipping centers are left to their own if they will or will not ship guns. The central FedX and UPS offices will ship. I prefer fedx. I bring the gun already packaged labeled and ready to go. Delivery information, including the receiving FFL is included inside. I have another copy of the FFL which I give to the counterperson with my completed label. They will only ship Priority Overnight. The Cost is about $40-50 depending upon insurance (I'm looking at a Gold Cup receipt here for $48.00).

Many FFLs are ignorant of the laws concerning receiving guns from individuals. Mostly for their piece of mind I include a copy of my driver's Lisc. and a "Declaration of disposition" or "Bill of Sale" to the buyer along with my paperwork.

Long guns through the USPS cost about the same, however, they need to be shipped Registered mail. This entails using paper tape and I generally have a package store box them for me (great one just next door to the main PO in Littleton CO).

About half the time I have a new counter person either at the PO or Fedx and have to spend some time while they call their supervisor. If I have repeated problems I'll take them a copy of this: http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm or the FEDX corporate policies found on their site concerning Firearms....

Ron,

When you say licensed dealer, does that include C&R?

Stuff I have read in BATF info sez C&R is not authorized to deal. Or am I reading it wrong?

Thanks for your input and information.

Chuck

Hi Chuck,

Licensed Dealer is translated to a stocking dealer who buys and sells firearms for a livelihood. This doesn't include C&R.

Ron