[Q] - Using an FFL - the process and costs involved

[uk_pony]

The first 2 guns I bought, I bought new. I filled out my paperwork, awaited the background check, paid my money and left the store.
I recently found a used gun I want to buy, but the seller requires it be shipped to my FFL. My only local FFL is my local range, and they want $25 plus 10% of the purchase price - is this normal?

So a few questions:
1) Colleagues at work have bought used guns without using an FFL, and I presume this is legal?
2) Why use an FFL? Can a buyer not provide ID and a reciept, is that not enough?
3) When buying a used gun, what should I ask of the seller (some obvious ones are a copy of the original sales receipt, some ID, a receipt showing the day the gun was sold to me. Anything else I should ask for?

Thanks

Dave

[WAZX3DRVR]

That pricing is NOT normal in my neck of the woods........it's a flat $35. In the case of say a used SIG P226 at $500, you'd be paying $75 or nearly 1/5 again the price of the gun. Pretty lousy if you ask me, and clearly a means to diminish the bargain you might find out of state and encourage buying a gun at the store.

FFLs are usually only used in states that require it (Cali requires DROS, or Dealer Reg. of Sale) OR more commonly by far for interstate purchases, because transfer across states lines amongst non-FFLs is (stupidly) illegal. Private gun sales intrastate are perfectly legal in MOST states save a few. There is NO real benefit to FFLs except in those legally compelled circumstances.

What you ask of the seller is dependent. For FFL deals, the receipts are really only useful for curiosity (their purchase receipt), and giving a bill of sale to you (as a proof of sale) is perhaps some additional CYA but since you're going through official channels I dont really see much point in it. I try to avoid FFL type deals like the plague, because of the increased cost, complexity, and because you have no way to inspect what you're getting. Gun folks are mostly honest and report the condition of merchandise well, but to me the ability to see what I buy beforehand and avoid the FFL hassles is worth it's weight in gold and worth avoiding a "bargain" on the 'net.

[KarolinaKid]

Originally Posted by uk_pony

...My only local FFL is my local range, and they want $25 plus 10% of the purchase price - is this normal?

That sounds more like a pawn shop...I have two I have used. One charges $15 and the other charges $25 and both include the background check. $25 + 10% is highway robbery in my opinion.

[uk_pony]

Thanks for the info. I'll find out if the seller is an individual, from the post I believe he is. I'll see if he is willing to ship directly to me.
If he is willing to ship directly I'll check its legal to do so here in Texas.


Thanks again.

[uk_pony]

They are a gun shop and gun range. I guess they are protecting themselves from folks buying cheaper on the internet. Adding 10% makes there prices competitive in any market.
Is there a resource for finding FFL's in a certain area?

Originally Posted by KarolinaKid

That sounds more like a pawn shop...I have two I have used. One charges $15 and the other charges $25 and both include the background check. $25 + 10% is highway robbery in my opinion.

[KarolinaKid]

Originally Posted by uk_pony

Is there a resource for finding FFL's in a certain area?

I think I have seen a way to search for FFL's in your area both on gunbroker.com and budsgunshop.com.

[Hooz]

I've got multiple options here locally. They range in price from a flat $15 all the way up to $25 + 5%. Usually it is the bigger shops that charge the bigger fees, to "encourage" you to buy from them instead of going online. Most times, though, I still make-out better buying online and paying the FFL fees.

Gunbroker's FFL Holder Network is a good place to start looking for a local FFL.

[jnclement]

I pay my FFL $10 for a transfer. If he orders me something that he finds, he charges me HIS cost plus 10%, so it's not too bad. You can buy anything in Texas face to face, no paperwork involed except cash. It's actually legal to ship firearms within the state without using an FFL, but none of the carriers will (excluding the post office, for long guns). So where in Texas are you? I can't imagine a spot in Texas that doesn't have multiple FFLs. Oh yes..........Gunsamerica.com has a list of FFLs who transfer.

[Majk]

Wow that is robbery like was said before.

My ffl charges me $15.00.

And a couple of times he's waived the fee. He does it for christmas sometimes.

Find a good FFL that charges you a reasonable fee and develop a good relationship with him. For example, mine has shipped a pistol for me using his fedex account which he gets cheaper rates. He's also helped me with questions, he's helped me determine if a gun was a good value. You can never underestimate having a good FFL in your corner.