Replies

Your experience isn't consistent across all states. When an FFL sets up a table at a show, they must do the 4473 paperwork on any firearms in their inventory. In many states, a "private" sale still has to be mediated by an FFL including background checks. In other states, a private sale can be conducted as you did it with a private, non-FFL seller.

While I like the freedom of the completely private sale, you do have a little "caveat emptor" issue. You don't know for certain whether the seller is the legal owner of the firearm or fencing stolen property. You also don't know if that firearm has been used in the commission of a crime prior to your purchase. Absent any paperwork to prove the date on which you became the owner, you might well become a suspect in possession of a firearm used in a criminal act.

Absent any paperwork to prove the date on which you became the owner, you might well become a suspect in possession of a firearm used in a criminal act.

I suppose that's a chance one takes in this kind of transaction, although the same could be said about purchasing a firearm from any private citizen. This guy had about 30-rifles and hand guns on his table and went into a long description of this particular XD and how he had upgraded it to trinitron night sights, (which I really like). I guess I made the decision he was legit and I trusted him. He told me he would give me a bill of sale if I really wanted one, but hardly anyone asked for one. Next time, I'll probably insist on one.

Interestingly, I'm not a citizen of the state where I bought the pistol...was just visiting, but that didn't seem to bother anyone.

I guess the point is, while I don't agree with any restrictions concerning the sale of ANY legal product, I can see were the gun show critics get their ammunition, so to speak.

>You also don’t know if that firearm has been used in the commission of a crime prior to your purchase. Absent any paperwork to prove the date on which you became the owner, you might well become a suspect in possession of a firearm used in a criminal act.<

I would hope that you have enough brains to write up a bill of sale and put both signatures on it when you make a private sale or purchase.

That protects both parties.

While I like the freedom of the completely private sale, you do have a little "caveat emptor" issue. You don't know for certain whether the seller is the legal owner of the firearm or fencing stolen property. You also don't know if that firearm has been used in the commission of a crime prior to your purchase. Absent any paperwork to prove the date on which you became the owner, you might well become a suspect in possession of a firearm used in a criminal act.

So do as you do when you buy a stereo, get a receipt. Be prepared to supply the form yourself.

What you indicate did cross my mind when I bought an M-1 Carbine in a private sale at the Dallas Arms Collectors show. I also bought my first center fire handgun just before Brady went into effect and my serious social purposes shotgun just before it was extended to long arms. I'd have preferred an AR-15, but couldn't afford one at the time.