Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

It probably doesn't need to be said in this forum but I need to say it for myself anyway... We need to be careful about who we sell guns to.

I advertised guns for sale in this forum. This is my first experience selling firearms and I appreciated all the helpful information posted throughout the forum. I've had positive experiences and encountered helpful and nice people and I've enjoyed some success in selling guns.

What concerned me was recent contact from someone that probably has a disqualifying criminal history record asking to buy a handgun.

I want to emphasize the importance of positively identifying who you are dealing with and taking prudent measures in verifying their eligibility to purchase and possess firearms. They are out there, and in here too. If in doubt, it might be best to sell your guns to or through a dealer that can do the vetting process for you. Thanks for reading...

Remington wrote:What concerned me was recent contact from someone that probably has a disqualifying criminal history record asking to buy a handgun.

You never know who the person might be, or who they're working for.

general-discussion/bloomberg-targeting-private-gun-sales-internet-forums-t11337.html

That's an interesting article and discussion thread and it makes me think, which can be a painful process.

Thanks for the good advice. It's a jungle out there.

Something that i Have found that helps is to ask the buying if they are willing to undergo a BackGround Check, i have had several intrested buyers not show up for the sale when i asked if they were willing to do a BackGroung check.

I like the background check idea. There are a lot of public records readily available.

jrswanson1 wrote:The easiest way to figure out if they are qualified or not is to ask for a concealed weapons permit. Almost every seller I've bought from has requested to see mine.

Funny, I have told several sellers that I do not have a concealed handgun permit in the past and none of them have had an issue with it. There are many citizens out there who don't like asking permission of the government to exercise our rights. Not trying to start a bash here, just pointing out that just, because a person does not have a CHP, it does not mean that he/she cannot legally purchase a firearm.
I would also like point out that the permit can be a false positive. Nothing says that between the time that an individual acquired the CHP and the time they have to renew it that they have a restraining order taken out against them or they have committed some crime that could cause them to no longer be legally allowed to purchase firearms. Also I hate to say it, but Virginia's CHP is just a piece of paper. There really is not anti-forging safeties on it.

I guess what I am trying to say it is your choice who you sell to, and yes that some caution is warranted. But don't assume just, because someone has a CHP that they really can buy that firearm you are trying to sell. If you really want to cover your basis use a bill of sale. From what I have found the one that "User" has come up with covers what is specified in VA law. IE the buyer states that he/she can legally purchase the firearm. And ask to see the Virginia Drivers license. Even as a buyer, I ask to see the sellers drivers license to ensure I really can buy from them.

Just my .02

totes6 wrote:

jrswanson1 wrote:The easiest way to figure out if they are qualified or not is to ask for a concealed weapons permit. Almost every seller I've bought from has requested to see mine.

Funny, I have told several sellers that I do not have a concealed handgun permit in the past and none of them have had an issue with it. There are many citizens out there who don't like asking permission of the government to exercise our rights. Not trying to start a bash here, just pointing out that just, because a person does not have a CHP, it does not mean that he/she cannot legally purchase a firearm.
I would also like point out that the permit can be a false positive. Nothing says that between the time that an individual acquired the CHP and the time they have to renew it that they have a restraining order taken out against them or they have committed some crime that could cause them to no longer be legally allowed to purchase firearms. Also I hate to say it, but Virginia's CHP is just a piece of paper. There really is not anti-forging safeties on it.

I guess what I am trying to say it is your choice who you sell to, and yes that some caution is warranted. But don't assume just, because someone has a CHP that they really can buy that firearm you are trying to sell. If you really want to cover your basis use a bill of sale. From what I have found the one that "User" has come up with covers what is specified in VA law. IE the buyer states that he/she can legally purchase the firearm. And ask to see the Virginia Drivers license. Even as a buyer, I ask to see the sellers drivers license to ensure I really can buy from them.

Just my .02

Also you can ask for voters id. For instance you can legally sell a handgun to someone who is under 18 but they cannot have a CHP however they can have a voters id.

If a buyer can't meet my requests for ID, or reasonably prove they are not prohibited. I ask that we do the trasfer at a local shop, If they balk at $30 for the transfer fee, I offer to split the cost of the transfer with them. If they still won't do it, then I terminate the sale.

I ask to see a driver's license to verify residency (you can't sell a handgun to someone from out of state) and I ask the straightforward question "Are you legally allowed to own a firearm". If they lie to me and buy a gun knowing that they're not legally allowed to, then that's on them.

I also take the person's character into account. I won't sell a gun to someone who looks like a crack-head.

I do like some of the ideas posed in this thread, though. It's all about what makes you comfortable with the legality of the sale.

allingeneral wrote:I ask to see a driver's license to verify residency (you can't sell a handgun to someone from out of state) and I ask the straightforward question "Are you legally allowed to own a firearm". If they lie to me and buy a gun knowing that they're not legally allowed to, then that's on them.

I also take the person's character into account. I won't sell a gun to someone who looks like a crack-head.

I do like some of the ideas posed in this thread, though. It's all about what makes you comfortable with the legality of the sale.

+1. I copy the DL and make clear that it goes in my safe never to see the light of day, unless the transaction comes back on me.

Thanks for all the great discussion. With all that being said, would anyone (qualified) like to buy a nice .32 gun to carry in your pocket for fun?

I can't recall if it's been mentioned on these forums, but on one of the Ohio forums that I still monitor a member was negotiating with a potential buyer and in the process of several emails he told the buyer that he'd need to see some sort of id and proof that he was legally able to buy a gun. He never heard anything else from the buyer.

Shortly after that it was announced that Mayor Bloomberg's stooges were trying (and succeeding) to get private parties to sell guns to people that admitted that they weren't legally able to buy a firearm.

AlanM wrote:I can't recall if it's been mentioned on these forums, but on one of the Ohio forums that I still monitor a member was negotiating with a potential buyer and in the process of several emails he told the buyer that he'd need to see some sort of id and proof that he was legally able to buy a gun. He never heard anything else from the buyer.

Shortly after that it was announced that Mayor Bloomberg's stooges were trying (and succeeding) to get private parties to sell guns to people that admitted that they weren't legally able to buy a firearm.

This is an excellent point...if you;re selling, don't let the idea of making the sale get in the way of doing what's right. If someone tells you up front that that they're not allowed to own a firearm, then don't make the sale!

Buyer: "I'm buying from you because I don't think I would pass a background check"
Seller: "It was nice meeting you - have a nice day."
Buyer: "Wait! I have Cash!"
Seller: "I'm sorry, but you have provided me with information that would make me guilty of a crime if I sold you my firearm. Have a nice day."

I took lots of notes. Thanks!

Can I buy a gun in VA, for instance, once I get back from my deployment, as a WA resident with my change of homeport papers for my ship? Man, this stuff gets confusing, sometimes. I'd like to stay a WA resident because, well, there's no state income tax.