Author Topic: How do I sell a handgun in PA?  (Read 1793 times)

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Offline bja105

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How do I sell a handgun in PA?
« on: March 12, 2012, 10:54:11 AM »
I want to sell my 1911, but I have never sold a handgun.  I will offer it to a friend, first.  Will we have to take it to a local FFL to transfer?  Do we need to tell the authorities at all?

If I sell it on gunbroker or on this forum, is there anything I need to know about shipping a handgun?  Is there a preferred forum or auction site for a 1911?

Anything else I need to know?  My objectives are to stay legal and get the most money.

Offline Ladobe

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Re: How do I sell a handgun in PA?
« Reply #1 on: March 12, 2012, 12:01:27 PM »
Lots of folks have and argue different opions... but thse have worked for me just fine for decades making sure no laws/policies were broken.
 
Face to face to another resident of your state will depend on whatever that states regs are, whether the firearm is legal in all localities, whether registration is mandatory,  etc, and it leaves you responsible for whether the buyer can even own it legally.   Any local firearms dealer can tell you your states regs (and advise you on out of state), as can some local officials.   In many states a FTF needs no paperwork, but even in those I'd do a dated bill of sale signing the firearm over just to no longer be accountable for it, even if sold to a friend.   It's out of your control and so what is done with it, protect yourself.
 
Anyway, found this easily for a start for PA...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_laws_in_Pennsylvania
 
Selling out of state you will have to follow all the BATF regs, and those some states/localities have for firearms, especially handguns.  Do not ship a sold handgun yourself.   Find a local FFL to handle the transfer for you, simple as that and you don't have to know all the regs, federal or state, and the receiving FFL is responsible to find out if the buyer can legally own it.   Your FFL will charge a fee for the transfer, but its well worth it for an easy, safe transfer that removes you from any responsibility for it on both ends.   It's the FFL's responsibility to make sure no laws are broken, and to deal with any loss or damage in transit.   I ask my buyers to include insurance money along with shipping cost, but I pay the TX fees on my end.   
 
Want more, check out the BATF web site where its all spelled out; and for a sale to another state that states regs as well.
 
My transferring FFL won't ship any regulated firearm to CA, period.   But I can ship long guns there myself IF the receiving FFL in CA is a member of that states program AND will accept out of state firearms from a non FFL.   Easy for me, no TX fees, all I require is payment and a copy of that FFL license for my records to ship.   But I cannot ship handguns to CA myself, so I don't sell any to CA buyers... not unless they want to pay the much higher TX fees another FFL here would charge to do so.   Some tack on an additional $75 or more for any firearm going to CA, long or short.
 
FWIW-HTH
Evolution at work. Over two million years ago the genus Homo had small cranial capacity and thick skin to protect them from their environment. One species has evolved into obese cranial fatheads with thin skin in comparison that whines about anything and everything as their shield against their environment. Meus

Offline gjdykeman

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Re: How do I sell a handgun in PA?
« Reply #2 on: March 12, 2012, 12:30:23 PM »
I have sold several hand guns in Pa. Face to face. I got a signed receipt. I would not relinquish the gun except at an FFL dealer where it was properly transfered. A fee usually 40.00. Actually a painless procedure. A background check was also done on the purchaser, included in the fee. I have also sold guns on Gunbrokers.Shipping of a hand gun out of state needs to be FFL to FFL. FEDEX one day air. about 30.00. PLus an FFL fee on the shipping side. A copy of the receiving sides FFL paperwork must be on hand. I have also sold long guns on Gunbrokers. USPS cheap. Mut be shipped to an FFL with a copy of the recieving FFL paperwork on hand. Easy to do but you must play by the rules, and pay the fees. I keep copies of all the paperwork on file forever. If you sell on gunbrokers they will assist, for a small fee. It can be done easily, you just have to pay the piper/big brother.
SFC US Army 32y 8m 13d RET

Offline gjdykeman

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Re: How do I sell a handgun in PA?
« Reply #3 on: March 12, 2012, 12:33:33 PM »
I have sold several hand guns in Pa. Face to face. I got a signed receipt. I would not relinquish the gun except at an FFL dealer where it was properly transfered. A fee usually 40.00. Actually a painless procedure. A background check was also done on the purchaser, included in the fee. I have also sold guns on Gunbrokers.Shipping of a hand gun out of state needs to be FFL to FFL. FEDEX one day air. about 30.00. PLus an FFL fee on the shipping side. A copy of the receiving sides FFL paperwork must be on hand. I have also sold long guns on Gunbrokers. USPS cheap. Mut be shipped to an FFL with a copy of the recieving FFL paperwork on hand. Easy to do but you must play by the rules, and pay the fees. I keep copies of all the paperwork on file forever. If you sell on gunbrokers they will assist, for a small fee. It can be done easily, you just have to pay the piper/big brother.
just a note, if the purchaser fails the background check, the FFL will retain the gun. You no longer own it.
SFC US Army 32y 8m 13d RET