Selling firearms on the internet.... pointers?

***Dunno if this is in the right section, as I could really find a place on the board that seemed appropriate for this thread.
If there is then mods feel free to move where you see fit.***


I am considering offloading some of the collection, and I figured here would be the best option, since consignment at most places takes 20+ percent of the profit.

Although I trust the guys on this board, I am still kind of sketchy on buying and selling firearms to people I dont really know.
I know that private in-state transfers are ok, but I still am apprehensive about the whole ordeal.

How do you guys go about buying and selling on this forum?
I have heard of people asking for CDL's and things of that nature, but it just doesnt seem to be prevention against selling to someone that could cause problems.

Are there places that do 4471's for free around here? that seems to generally be the most foolproof option.

If you guys could give me some pointers on this, I would greatly appreciate it.

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Originally Posted by leatherneck448

***Dunno if this is in the right section, as I could really find a place on the board that seemed appropriate for this thread.
If there is then mods feel free to move where you see fit.***


I am considering offloading some of the collection, and I figured here would be the best option, since consignment at most places takes 20+ percent of the profit.

Although I trust the guys on this board, I am still kind of sketchy on buying and selling firearms to people I dont really know.
I know that private in-state transfers are ok, but I still am apprehensive about the whole ordeal.

How do you guys go about buying and selling on this forum?
I have heard of people asking for CDL's and things of that nature, but it just doesnt seem to be prevention against selling to someone that could cause problems.

Are there places that do 4471's for free around here? that seems to generally be the most foolproof option.

If you guys could give me some pointers on this, I would greatly appreciate it.

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Cash and carry is my motto, providing i don't get a bad vibe. you can check out the feedback forum to see who is and isn't. Even if it is something i want a BG check and or lots of paperwork for a private sale kills the deal for me.
My $0.02 asking for a BG check while that is your choice will limit the traffic for you. I have a ccw and also Homeland security clearances for work. Unless they are a new member here say a post count of less than XX you will be good to go sale wise.

I've been buying and selling guns via the internet for years. I am not a dealer, but have always had an extensive enough collection that I could pretty much buy and sell at will. Gunbroker is a good start, learn to use that effectively and you are 3/4s there. I ship my guns via Fedex Ground. They've only destroyed one weapon so far. There is a lot more to it than just what I've told you.

A lot of guys ask for a CCW for a sale. I personally think it's kind of a dick move, but that's a good way to know that the person you're selling to is good to go.

There's also a feedback forum here. Most anyone who's ever done a deal has a thread there, and there's a lot of good feedback.

Last but not least, all I can really say that most everyone here are pretty good people. If you meet a buyer on this site, and they have spent really any time here at all (all the bad apples get weeded out pretty quick) then you should have no qualms selling. They're building a community here, and one of the important parts of the foundation is trust [Beer]

All you need in CO is to show proof of age/residency (iirc) Make sure they're a resident of CO, and of legal age to own what you're selling.

That being said.. Most of the people I have had dealings with.. a valid Concealed permit was good.. even a DL..

It's all how you want to do it, and if the buyer is willing to go your route.

Few months back.. this person who will remain nameless... got a ration of shit for asking for copies of DL and what not.. while no one I know of did.. someone agreed to his terms.. It wasn't even a great deal.. but I digress.

It's all what you feel comfortable with.

When I sold my gf's xd on here, I explained the laws to her, and let her decide what would suffice. Also made sure she was present at the deal. This scary asian guy showed up in a mini-van.. he was totally sketchy! [Tooth]

Even with a check run..there is no guarantee that the person purchasing it is mentally fit (Jared Loughner) to own a firearm.. I mean it wouldn't be PC to classify people as mentally deficient now would it. [Bang]

i've been here a long time and bought and sold alot of firearms and accs. and never had any problems at all, just check the feedback section and look at join date and posts, and you will be fine, if you start asking for paperwork, ccw's and 4471's your better off going to a shop and having them sell them and take their cut, because you will get mass flak and no interest with 99% of the members here. but in the end its your sale and your rules so do what makes you feel comfortable and good luck.[Beer]

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Originally Posted by Monky

When I sold my gf's xd on here, I explained the laws to her, and let her decide what would suffice. Also made sure she was present at the deal. This scary asian guy showed up in a mini-van.. he was totally sketchy! [Tooth]

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This is exactly what i am worried about. being a responsible and safe gun owner, I dont want to go down for illegally selling a firearm to a felon.

Having met some of the guys on the site at the recent shoots I have attended, I am pretty confident with the "trust factor" of members on this board.

I am pretty comfortable with just asking for a colo. DL, and ccw's are definite assurance, but theres always that chance... Maybe im just too paranoid....

If you sell for an amazing price I will buy them all!


All comes down to comfort. Know what is required which has already been said here. Any more than that and it is extra work and paperwork you have to remember and hang on to. I like less clutter so the less I have to do the better.

I go with gut feelings and the persons mannerisms if something does not feel right i have called off a sale. The firearms I have traded/sold on here have all gone very smoothly. I do get a first and last name verified by CCW or DL as a basic CYA type thing.

Do what you need to do to make it feel comfortable to you

As the seller, its up to you to decide how much paperwork, and hassle you want to put buyers through. Coming from the east coast, Colorado has been an eye opening experience on how simple and easy gun transactions can be when people behave like responsible adults. Use sites like gunbroker and armslist to get an idea on what is a reasonable asking price. Post some good pictures up on the sale forum (making certain you have already complied with the minimal board rules). If you have questions, you can always turn to one of the mods. The Ginsue is usually the fastest responder, but they are all very helpful when you ask your questions up front through a private message.

Timing seems to be everything. If you are looking to sell something at a fair price in a timely manner, this board is the place. There is nothing you can do to prevent the nightmare scenario where you sell to a good person in a FTF, who then has their home burglarized and the weapon you sold stolen. The gun you had registered to you because you bought it from a dealer 10 years ago then turns up in a stop and rob homicide. Given that scenario, someone, either the local po-po or BATFE will be around to ask you some questions. Unless you have your FFL, you have no obligations to keep and/or provide records on private gun deals.

Personally, I have enjoyed meeting guys here on the board and I've been happy with all that I've bought or sold. If I ever find out I'm moving back east, I am planning on a buying spree here in Colorado before I leave. [Coffee]

Enjoy and good luck with your sales.

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Originally Posted by leatherneck448

This is exactly what i am worried about. being a responsible and safe gun owner, I dont want to go down for illegally selling a firearm to a felon.

Having met some of the guys on the site at the recent shoots I have attended, I am pretty confident with the "trust factor" of members on this board.

I am pretty comfortable with just asking for a colo. DL, and ccw's are definite assurance, but theres always that chance... Maybe im just too paranoid....

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you are not liable for selling to someone. Do you ask for a DL and proof of ins before you sell someone your car??
I ask if they are a felon and they tell me no, how do i know if they are being honest? I am not a dealer nor posses a FFL of any sort. As long as the deal did not originate at a gun show, 3 or more people present discussing the sale of a gun etc you should be GTG.
BUT if you decide to sell with all the requirements of a FFL be prepared to catch flak

I'm fairly new here and I have sold 3 guns to people from this forum. All seemed like good guys, and I never had any doubts. My thinking is, if they are on this forum, and own guns they normally arn't "gang bangers."

I wouldn't sell a gun to anyone on the street, but here as long as they don't creep me out I hand them the gun, and say good day!

ok, so say that I sell a firearm registered in my name to someone, and consequently ask for a colorado drivers license to prove they are of age, then I am basically waived from the so-called "nightmare scenario" if something like that ever happens?

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Originally Posted by jim

you are not liable for selling to someone. Do you ask for a DL and proof of ins before you sell someone your car??
I ask if they are a felon and they tell me no, how do i know if they are being honest? I am not a dealer nor posses a FFL of any sort. As long as the deal did not originate at a gun show, 3 or more people present discussing the sale of a gun etc you should be GTG.
BUT if you decide to sell with all the requirements of a FFL be prepared to catch flak

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The way the law reads in most states (including co) is the seller is not required to verify the buyer is eligible to purchase, but the seller is also held accountable for providing a firearm to someone if the seller knows they are not eligible under the law. That being clear, I follow these simple rules:

1. If shipping, ship only to an FFL and only after the check has cleared.
2. If meeting locally for the first time meet in a public place, like a sporting goods store parking lot.
3. On face to face transactions ask "Is there anything that prevents you from legally purchasing and possessing this firearm." -- by asking this, you have gone beyond what the law requires.
4. Cash only.
5. When in doubt, walk away.

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Originally Posted by leatherneck448

ok, so say that I sell a firearm registered in my name to someone, and consequently ask for a colorado drivers license to prove they are of age, then I am basically waived from the so-called "nightmare scenario" if something like that ever happens?

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Someone else will probably have a better explanation theoretically yes but I could see where this would be an issue which is why i ask get the first and last name just so i can direct them in the proper direction if a firearm i ever possessed was used in a crime. this very issue is why some people are starting to ask for a bill of sale.

State any terms or sales requirements up front at the beginning. If you decide you are going to want see a drivers license or cash only or anything let the buyer know first thing. Be clear about how the sale is going to happen.

My 2 cents worth.

feed back helps but really its up to you and your comfort level . i have a few rules that help seem to help me (mostly for safety). if someone gives you a bad vibe get out as the saying goes "if there is a doubt, then there is no doubt ". 99% of the dealings i have had here (CoAr15) have been great .if you do find a thug or any shady folks just tell a mod and give appropriate feedback so everyone else can stay away . but what it all comes down to if you dont want to do a deal you dont have to .
i only do face to face transactions . if i have never delt with you then i take a look at your dl but have never felt the need to copy anything down . if its a firearm that is registered to you and your really concerned then you can meet at a gun shop and have them check up for ya. Im not sure how it is here but in maryland you can go to the sheriffs office and get it done for 10 bucks.
the big thing everyone will tell you is stay in your comfort zone . hope that helps

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Originally Posted by leatherneck448

ok, so say that I sell a firearm registered in my name to someone, and consequently ask for a colorado drivers license to prove they are of age, then I am basically waived from the so-called "nightmare scenario" if something like that ever happens?

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No adult is ever waived from anything. Given the scenario I posted, you sold to good person whose home was robbed and the gun was used by thug to commit homicide. If you bear a striking resemblance to said thug and you live around the corner from the stop and rob, you have no alibi, and you have blood spatter on your shirt, you will need OJ's lawyers to get you off.

If you are a multi-millionaire you can assume that someone who was traumatized by the gun you once owned will file a civil suit against you.

The detectives investigating will be looking for suspects and tracing a murder weapon is par for the course. You are not responsible for providing documentation or names of the party you sold the gun to when they ask. If the victim is unlucky Joe Jones with no fixed address, and you can prove you were nowhere near the crime scene, the questioning will probably be brief. If the victim is the President of the United States, you will enjoy many hours of intimate conversations with people who like to ask the same questions over and over, regardless of where you were on the night in question.

If you are very lucky, the good guy you sold the gun to here on the board will file a police report with a description of the firearm. It may be enough to tie the weapon to the murder and the detectives will skip you completely and go to that board member who can then explain once more to the nice officers how his home was burglarized and the same police department did not stop or solve that crime.

Generally once a firearm is sold in a private transaction, tracing it becomes a game of chance. The police sometimes do better tracing shell casings to batches of ammunition sold and checking surveillance video at the store where it was sold.

You have to decide what risk you are willing to live with. Using good judgment and reading the feedback forum are helpful. Nothing is fool proof.

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Originally Posted by leatherneck448

Maybe im just too paranoid....

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Maybe so........


Cash and a handshake works for me, both buying and selling.
If I worried about every firearm I have sold over the years ending up in the wrong hands.......sometime......I would go crazy. Any idea how many times a firearms can change hands in 6 months.....how about in 20 years, 30, 40?

I go by gut instinct. And yes, I have walked away from selling a firearm, as well as buying them. If the seller insists on going beyond "the law" in this state. The key word is "knowingly"

I have a CCW, I had a FFL, I have been checked out. I am willing to "show" my CCW (no copies) to ease a sellers mind, but I'll be damn if I am jumping through any other hoops for a PRIVATE sale.

Do what you are comfortable with, but as stated above, list your terms in your ad. I don't want to waste your time or mine, only to find out you intend to drag me into some shop to fill out a 4473, etc. for a PRIVATE sale.

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Originally Posted by leatherneck448

ok, so say that I sell a firearm registered in my name to someone, and consequently ask for a colorado drivers license to prove they are of age, then I am basically waived from the so-called "nightmare scenario" if something like that ever happens?

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Where and why did you register a firearm in Colorado?

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Originally Posted by Monky

When I sold my gf's xd on here, I explained the laws to her, and let her decide what would suffice. Also made sure she was present at the deal. This scary asian guy showed up in a mini-van.. he was totally sketchy! [Tooth]

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That was me! And both of you looked way too young to be selling guns! [Coffee]

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Originally Posted by MB888

That was me! And both of you looked way too young to be selling guns! [Coffee]

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I was wondering if you'd catch that..[Muaha]

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Originally Posted by Monky

I was wondering if you'd catch that..[Muaha]

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I didnt, some white dude with tattoos all over called me and mentioned it. [ROFL1]

Let's see if he catch this one.

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Originally Posted by hip55

Where and why did you register a firearm in Colorado?

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Was going to post this.

You're being paranoid and by statements you have made seem to be very uneducated in firearms laws, so it's probably best you do some self education or absolve yourself from being associated with guns.

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Originally Posted by MB888

I didnt, some white dude with tattoos all over called me and mentioned it. [ROFL1]

Let's see if he catch this one.

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Ghettodub?

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Originally Posted by hip55

Where and why did you register a firearm in Colorado?

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Originally Posted by DeusExMachina

Was going to post this.

You're being paranoid and by statements you have made seem to be very uneducated in firearms laws, so it's probably best you do some self education or absolve yourself from being associated with guns.

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What they are trying to say is that there is no "Gun Registration." for general firearms.
There is a class of firearm that is registered, but trust me, you aren't dealing in those.

By Law all that is required of you is to:
1)Verify the buyer is of legal age to purchase a firearm in PRIVATE SALE (18 for CO) this includes handguns.
If you would like the buyer to be 35 years of age or older, please state so in the terms of sale.

2) The Buyer must be a legal resident of, or Military service member stationed in, Colorado. This may be verified by any form of government issued ID to include Armed forces Common access card and a set of Orders, a CCW or a drivers license.


you can place other terms if you wish, I Will warn you that the more requirements you place on your sale, the fewer bites you will get on it.

Typically we use the "Must see ID, Be legal to own, no crooks or gangbangers."

and as others have said, the feedback forums are a plethora of solid information, use them.

Good luck on your sales

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Originally Posted by MB888

I didnt, some white dude with tattoos all over called me and mentioned it. [ROFL1]

Let's see if he catch this one.

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I personally draw the line when dealing with tattooed people.

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Originally Posted by DeusExMachina

Was going to post this.

You're being paranoid and by statements you have made seem to be very uneducated in firearms laws, so it's probably best you do some self education or absolve yourself from being associated with guns.

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Any firearm that was purchased new in the last 20 years or so will have a trail from the Mfg/Importer to distributor, dealer and then the original buyer.

I still keep a log and I retain the information of who I sell to (sometimes just a name, phone #, email address), just an old habit from my FFL days.

I've had one gun I sold/traded (out of hundreds), come up. I purchased it new, didn't like it and traded it at a gun show to a dealer who resold it at the same show without ever logging it through his bigbook. It was recovered at a crime scene about 6 months later. Got a call from my dealer saying to expect a call. About a month later got a call from state investigators. I gave them the name and date of sale and offered to give them a copy of the receipt. Never heard any more from them, but the dealer was quite popular in the papers for a couple days.

It would have been just as easy to say "I sold it at a gun show"... that would have been it. nothing more that can be done from an investigation standpoint.

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Originally Posted by MB888

I didnt, some white dude with tattoos all over called me and mentioned it. [ROFL1]

Let's see if he catch this one.

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That's funny... Apparently you're the only 'sketchy' lookin Asian w/ a mini-van on the site :) [LOL]

ps- MB really isn't sketchy looking.. but he does have a mini-van..

in response to hip55's and DEM's comments, I did not mean literally registering a firearm with the govt. (like in canada)

Because of the fact that I bought them from an FFL, the forms from my 4473 are saved for X amount of years. In that aspect, I consider it basically registering a firearm.

That probably doesnt make much sense, but oh well.

I dont know very much about the laws pertaining to this thread, but why do you think I started it in the first place?

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Originally Posted by jim

I personally draw the line when dealing with tattooed people.

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Yeah, no kidding! Scarrryyyyyyyy. [ROFL1]

You are ready to train yet, Jim?

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Originally Posted by leatherneck448

in response to hip55's and DEM's comments, I did not mean literally registering a firearm with the govt. (like in canada)

Because of the fact that I bought them from an FFL, the forms from my 4473 are saved for X amount of years. In that aspect, I consider it basically registering a firearm.

That probably doesnt make much sense, but oh well.

I dont know very much about the laws pertaining to this thread, but why do you think I started it in the first place?

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That's just a sales record and nothing else.

Other than the FFL, nobody knows what you bought unless they go looking or you voluntarily register it with the manufacturer (for warranty purposes).

No big deal really.

A firearm might be traceable to you if a lot of "ifs" stack up


IF you bought the firearm from a dealer, IF you are the original owner, IF the dealer sent his 4473s to ATF when he closed his doors,IF the 4473 is legible, IF the gun has never been sold in a private sale, IF the ATF could actually figure out which dealer it went to in the first place...

CSI makes this all look as if it's routine, and can be accomplished in the space of a few minutes. BULLSH!T...the chain is very weak, and can take months to track down, so they only attempt it in very serious cases (murder or similar).