transferring ownership of gun?

[roff]

i plan on selling one of my guns
can someone tell me exactly where i start and how much it would cost?
it would be done locally

[LedJedi]

You'll want to get the name and address of the buyer and make sure you record the serial number of the gun and probably date of sale. You're not required by law to do this but if you ever get a call from the ATF asking about the gun it's handy to have. I maintain a spreadsheet for all weapons that come to and leave my hands. I track the following information and try to include as much detail as possible since i may not remember it years down the road.

Type/model | Date Purchased | Purchased From | Condition | Price Paid | History | Date Sold | Sold to | Price Sold | Serial Number


If you don't have a buyer yet just post it on the trading forums here with relevant info, your location and a photo if you can manage it.

[roff]

i have a potential buyer for it
i heard there is a process where you take it somewhere
and legally transfer the gun to the new owner
just wasnt sure of the exact process and how much it generally costs

[SCone]

you can go thru an FFL if you'd like, but it's not needed unless the buyer is out-of-state.

probably cost you $25-$30

[LedJedi]

i have a potential buyer for it
i heard there is a process where you take it somewhere
and legally transfer the gun to the new owner
just wasnt sure of the exact process and how much it generally costs

Not in Texas. that would imply gun registration or something like that. No such thing here (thankfully)

just make the transaction and get the guys info. I hears some folks exchange a copy of drivers licenses, but again it's not required legally.

private sales between citizens (of the same state) is completely legal in texas. The only thing you have to watch out for is selling to a felon. I think that's only punishable if you know the guy is a felon though. I try to stick to CHL folks though. They have a clear background by virtue of their CHL.

[Kalrog]

Legally, the only thing required is ... well ... essentially nothing. You just can't think that they are prohibited from owning firearms for any reason. Give it to them and get your money. That is about it. Anything else is up to you (and there are reasons to get lots of info and reasons to get no info - your choice).

[propellerhead]

The law says, "A person may sell a firearm to an unlicensed resident of his State, if he does not know or have reasonable cause to believe the person is prohibited from receiving or possessing firearms under Federal law."

http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#b1

Scroll down a bit to see who cannot legally receive or possess firearms and/or ammunition. At a minimum, ask to see a TX drivers license or state ID to establish residency. I didn't make any record of the guns I sold. To me, the less paperwork the better. If the ATF comes to me about a gun I sold, I'll tell them I sold it and that's that.

[drw]

At a minimum, ask to see a TX drivers license or state ID to establish residency. I didn't make any record of the guns I sold. To me, the less paperwork the better. If the ATF comes to me about a gun I sold, I'll tell them I sold it and that's that.

Excellent advice. I would change the word "minimum" to "maximum" above, though. The law allows us (non dealers) to sell our guns without a paper trail, and we should exercise that ability.

Take the cash and hand over the gun. Easy as that. If the ATF asks, tell them you sold it and that you didn't write anything down on it. Then take your cash and go buy another gun from someone else.

[propellerhead]

I would change the word "minimum" to "maximum" above, though.

Oh yea. What I meant was do that and nothing more but nothing less either.

[roff]

thanks for the info guys.
the guy im selling it to has some knowledge on it and will have the bill of sale prepared for me