Process for selling a hunting rifle - how to protect myself?

[MichaelD]

I am looking to sell a hunting rifle (Mod 70 7mm - nothing too edgy).  I have tried a couple of sites but not too much action.  I am looking to sell it locally using the Giant Nickel or other free publication to get the ad out.  I have talked to a couple of shops and dealers and think I have a good starting point and ok bottom price for a sale for the rifle.  When I finally find a buyer what steps do I need to go through in order to protect myself and make sure I am doing everything right???  I don't want to be too "nervous"  and scare away a sale but I don't want to leave myself open to any kind of problems either.  Any thoughts or suggestions for a smooth private sale?
Thanks!
Michael

[dirty24d]

try seattleguns.net  there are guidelines there as well too i believe.  how much u asking and where are you located?

[bak2huntn]

How Much $ sell it here !

[ribka]

When you sell it just ask for valid id and make a copy of it. Mention that in your ad ad it will deter undesirables. Or can request transfer through an FFL when you sell. Around $15-$20. Worth it for a piece of mind

[jackelope]

When you sell it just ask for valid id and make a copy of it. Mention that in your ad ad it will deter undesirables. Or can request transfer through an FFL when you sell. Around $15-$20. Worth it for a piece of mind

good info.

There's a classifieds here, one at huntfishnw.com and a few other local sites. There's also seattleguns.com and 24hourcampfire.com too. Between the 4 of those sites, if you can't sell it maybe you're asking too  much. Seattleguns.com is a little more focused on the black rifle/pistol crowd I've noticed so selling hunting rifles there can be a little difficult.

[Rick]

I just make out a bill of sale. There are numerous free BOS forms you can download off the net.

[yorketransport]

Have yo tried selling it on this sight?

I like to get photo copies of a drivers license if it's a rifle and a carry permit if it's a handgun. I keep a record of anything I sell, and I let the buyer know that up front. Anyone who doesn't agree with my terms simply doesn't get the gun. You need to protect yourself first, and make the sale second.

Andrew

[carpsniperg2]

i would sure post it up on here and see if you can sell it in the classifieds. if you have not already tried. i always get drivers license and a bill of sale and a carry permit if they have them. no one should have a problem with you getting a copy of that stuff or a bill of sale. if they do DO NOT SELL TO THEM it could turn out very bad.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Some good advice here.. But I do not provide a 'copy of my DL or CWP'. A seller can see them, or I'd be happy as a buyer to go through an FFL. This state does not require anything of a seller when it comes to hand/long guns. As a seller, I do my best to size up the buyer and if there's a friend of a friend involved, all the better.

-Steve

[Fl0und3rz]

Some good advice here.. But I do not provide a 'copy of my DL or CWP'.

Same here.  I request a WA DL so I know no FFL is required.   However, I also state that I prefer to sell to a CPL holder (and will want to see it) or a current WAC member (see below) so that I have a reasonable basis to conclude that the buyer is not prohibited from owning a firearm.  I do not take copies of paperwork (I am not an agent of the state), but if I otherwise felt uncomfortable about the sale, I would not conduct it.

See the below link for problems with just looking at a WA DL alone.

http://www.infowars.com/feds-convict-texan-for-selling-a-gun-to-illegal-alien-with-texas-drivers-license/

Selling online.  I use either the little nickel (http://www.littlenickel.com/) or my current favorite, gunlistings.org (http://gunlistings.org).  Both are free, but with gunlistings.org you can add a picture.  I'd highly recommend gunlistings.org.  It is like craigslist for firearms.

I have sold and purchased through both of the above.

I also like http://www.gunsamerica.com, but that is more for cross-state transactions.

Another option is the WAC.

http://www.washingtonarmscollectors.org/shows.htm

To buy or sell firearms, you need to be a member.  As part of the membership process, you need to show a CPL or have a background check done on the spot.  So this weeds out most, if not all, prohibited purchasers (that is, assuming one does not become a prohibited purchaser after membership and then fail to relinquish the membership badge).  Membership is around $50/year, and you get free admission to any of the shows during the year.  They also have a newsletter that you can list your firearms for sale.  You can buy/sell non-firearms just by paying the entry fee I believe.

I see no reason to go through an FFL unless it is going to be an across state lines affair.

[700xcr]

I am looking to sell a hunting rifle (Mod 70 7mm - nothing too edgy).  I have tried a couple of sites but not too much action.  I am looking to sell it locally using the Giant Nickel or other free publication to get the ad out.  I have talked to a couple of shops and dealers and think I have a good starting point and ok bottom price for a sale for the rifle.  When I finally find a buyer what steps do I need to go through in order to protect myself and make sure I am doing everything right???  I don't want to be too "nervous"  and scare away a sale but I don't want to leave myself open to any kind of problems either.  Any thoughts or suggestions for a smooth private sale?
Thanks!
Michael

Make up a Bill Of Sale and have buyer sign and date it and put it in a safe place. That way you have proof of sale if firearm is envolved in a crime later down the road. That way if Law call you you have proof of sale and you

[MichaelD]

Thanks all for your input to my question!  Exactly the kind of information I was looking to hear about selling a gun between private parties.

As for the rifle.....I didn't want to bring it up on this post and have people think I was trying to usurpt the classifieds section for extra "exposure". 
I posted the ad back in July.  For some reason my notifications for the classified ads don't come through in an email like the forum posts do, so there were a couple of interested parties that it took a while to get back to.  (my fault).  But there were some people who asked me to split up the package, sell without the scope, made me offers that I would have taken etc and I replied the same or next day and heard nothing back. 

I priced it at 600, or best offer, for the gun, leupy vx11 scope, bipods, case, reloading die, and sling.  This is what I was going to get from 3 of 4 pawn shops I was working with to trade for a left hand gun (one was going to give me 400 for the gun and would swap the scope over to either of the guns he had in the shop without scopes).  I would have made the trade, plus cash if needed, if I could just find the right left hand gun.  The search continues.....

Thanks again for the help!
Michael

[ICEMAN]

Some good advice here.. But I do not provide a 'copy of my DL or CWP'.

Same here.  I request a WA DL so I know no FFL is required.   However, I also state that I prefer to sell to a CPL holder (and will want to see it) or a current WAC member (see below) so that I have a reasonable basis to conclude that the buyer is not prohibited from owning a firearm.  I do not take copies of paperwork (I am not an agent of the state), but if I otherwise felt uncomfortable about the sale, I would not conduct it.

See the below link for problems with just looking at a WA DL alone.

http://www.infowars.com/feds-convict-texan-for-selling-a-gun-to-illegal-alien-with-texas-drivers-license/

Selling online.  I use either the little nickel (http://www.littlenickel.com/) or my current favorite, gunlistings.org (http://gunlistings.org).  Both are free, but with gunlistings.org you can add a picture.  I'd highly recommend gunlistings.org.  It is like craigslist for firearms.

I have sold and purchased through both of the above.

I also like http://www.gunsamerica.com, but that is more for cross-state transactions.

Another option is the WAC.

http://www.washingtonarmscollectors.org/shows.htm

To buy or sell firearms, you need to be a member.  As part of the membership process, you need to show a CPL or have a background check done on the spot.  So this weeds out most, if not all, prohibited purchasers (that is, assuming one does not become a prohibited purchaser after membership and then fail to relinquish the membership badge).  Membership is around $50/year, and you get free admission to any of the shows during the year.  They also have a newsletter that you can list your firearms for sale.  You can buy/sell non-firearms just by paying the entry fee I believe.

I see no reason to go through an FFL unless it is going to be an across state lines affair.

Wow FlOund3rz, great advice. Good job!

[MIKEXRAY]

I had a Colt Python I was looking to sell and as discussed I was a little nervous about selling it. I looked on line for a value & came across Cabelas Used guns. I called our Cabelas & was surprised to find out they buy used guns. I was going to ask a thousand, took it down there & they offered $ 750. I declined & told them what I wanted, after walking around to shop I returned to get my pistol & their offer was raised to $ 900. I took the offer & they counted out 100 dollar bills. I was shocked to hear they buy 20 - 30 guns a day, in person & on line.   I was happy with the whole process, I may have gotten a little more retail. I also could of sold it to a bank robber or other bad guy. I was happy with the whole process & I would recommend it to anyone.  Atleast go see what they say, worst case you do a little shopping. Mike