Good point, I was looking at two examples of the same model. One had no box no nothing just the gun and magazines. The other had box, receipt, all the case candy, the second one cost a little more but i just didn't feel right about the first oneI once bought a Beretta used from a licensed dealer that is now, shockingly, out of business. Did everything above board, went through all necessary steps. Took it home, safely stored it, and went out of town for a week. Came back, and my answering machine (I'm dating myself here lol) was full of messages from the dealer and the sheriff's office stating that the weapon had not been properly vetted by the dealer, and placed on the shelf for sale before anyone realized that it was a STOLEN FIREARM. Naturally I took it back to the dealer immediately upon hearing this, disassembled. They tried to offer me another weapon, but there was no way I was going to accept another firearm from those hacks. Demanded my money back and walked out, as they handed the weapon back to the authorities. Point being, I'd probably want to see some paperwork if I were buying used from a private party. I'm sure my experience is very rare, but just saying that it CAN happen.
Exactly. This happened to me from a licensed dealer. I would never, EVER trust a private CL seller's word that everything was above board. I would ask to see a bill of sale, receipt, or something proving that the weapon was purchased legally and is being sold legally. I almost went to jail for possession of a stolen firearm through absolutely no fault of my own.Good point, I was looking at two examples of the same model. One had no box no nothing just the gun and magazines. The other had box, receipt, all the case candy, the second one cost a little more but i just didn't feel right about the first one
I second this.The local forum I'm on is pretty cool, as we have meet-eat-and greet get togethers, so we get to know folks, and eventually sales, trades, and such. so its good to get to know folks before doing such things. However public places, daylight, and backup are all given when it comes to firearm deals. I'm always packing, and take my son or a friend who is also packing.
You live in California, so your paradigm isn't exactly like some of the rest of us. Around here (and the outlands of Texas) buying/trading guns is yard sale stuff, like negotiating a chainsaw transaction. And, once the new-to-me chainsaw is in my truck, I don't automatically have to provide it's serial number to anyone. If I incur the unfortunate unlikelihood of my gun purchase being eventually discovered as part of a criminal act, I won't be arrested/indicted because I've committed no crime. I'll present the bill-of-sale & copy of the seller's drivers license to the authorities & show the guns "paper trail" of possession since I've owned it. If it's an active investigation, they might need it so I'll... hand it over. It may come home & it may not. But the money I've saved is, IMHO, comPLETELY worth the risk when the WORST CASE downside is a confiscation (with a possible return). :yup:I'd only buy one consigned to a dealer, full paperwork, DROS, etc. I'm not interested in a piece that could have been used in a murder, robbery, etc. If done via dealer with DROS documentation, at the very least I know that 3rd party govt mandated proof exists that the gun was not mine nor in my possession when the altercation took place. That is peace of mind that I need. Private docs/bill of sale scribbled on the back of a Burger King napkin don't sound sufficient to me.
I agree, I've walked from deals where I show up cash in hand and they want to do a bill of sale. I don't mind showing my license or permit briefly just to prove that I'm a resident of the state, but there is no way I'm handing over all that personal info to some random person. Plus, there is no legal requirement to do so on either end (at least in TN). Past that I just use my common sense. If something doesn't seem right I walk.Many people, myself included, would want no part of a bill of sale in a private firearms transaction. They give you zero legal liability and aren't a legal document.
Also if some dude wanted a copy of my id and personal info, there's no way I'm giving it to him. He could be harmless but why would you give your address to a complete stranger.
Why even go the private sale route if you're willing to give up all your personal info.
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