Gun Questions

[2682nscovell]

Is it illegal to purchase a rifle/shotgun/pistol from someone. Not from a store, just from some dude you know? Is it illegal to actually sell or give a gun to someone.

[Lowdown3]

I think what your referring to is called a "private sale." As long as you check local laws on this and the gun is clean, it ought not to be a problem. However this is not legal advice. :)

[Matt In Oklahoma]

It varies from state to state on personal sales so you will have to research it

[610Alpha]

In my state you can do private sales and most of my guns were given to me from parents and grandparents without any problems.

[2682nscovell]

In my state you can do private sales and most of my guns were given to me from parents and grandparents without any problems.

Right, I just did some research when it comes to Pennsylvania. It seems that all rifles and shotguns can be privately purchased or even given as gifts. However, pistols seem to need an FLL permit. Which means you have to go through a vendor I guess.

Something else I have learned is that it's good to get the gun checked in the case of it being used in a crime. Also, if you sell a gun to someone and they use in a crime; then you could be prosecuted as well.

I don't think those are too bad of laws. At least their not knocking on my door to take my guns. Well... not yet.

[jloneill17]

In the state of GA you can buy, sell, or trade any long gun or pistol to a citizen of GA. All class 3's would have to go through a dealer

[rice paddy daddy]

In Florida, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has a visitor friendly website where you can check to see if a gun has been reported stolen simply by entering the serial number. I have used it on occasion, however, I prefer to buy from a licensed dealer to avoid any chance of a problem.
What I've known some private sellers here do is to write up a bill of sale that the buyer signs and the seller retains, along with the information from the buyers drivers license. that way, if the gun is later used in a crime, the seller has a leg to stand on.

[Klayton]

It is only illegal if you KNOW that person would not pass the ATF background quick check. Or doing an out of state purchase of ANY type of handgun. You being in LA, and buying a handgun in any other state than LA is STRICTLY forbidden without going through a gun broker. Why? I have no clue, and this may have changed in the past 5 years since I worked at the gun store.

While working part time at the gun store, the advice I always gave out to customers asking this question is:
Make the gun purchase transfer at the PD (leave the gun UNLOADED in the trunk) both of you go inside and formally make the sale, the PD will do the quick ATF background check first (no fee), then thank the nice police officers for doing their job, go outside, exchange the cash for the rifle (again best if left in its case and immediately placed in your car).

Hope this helps.
~Klayton