Question about selling a handgun...

**Anthropophagus** · February 9th, 2009, 08:39 PM

Ok, I have a friend stationed at a military base in Virginia. He wants to buy a pistol from me. Clearly I can't meet him in person and I don't have an FFL license, either. How can I go about making this sale or is it totally impossible? Can I send to an FFL-holder in Virginia?

Thanks.

**knight0334** · February 9th, 2009, 08:43 PM

Send it to a FFL in VA, or to a FFL in his actual home state if it is someplace other than VA. If he has a copy of his papers stating VA is where he is stationed at he can receive it from a FFL there.

**Anthropophagus** · February 9th, 2009, 09:02 PM

Originally Posted by knight0334

Send it to a FFL in VA, or to a FFL in his actual home state if it is someplace other than VA. If he has a copy of his papers stating VA is where he is stationed at he can receive it from a FFL there.

Thanks, man. Do I mail it myself (that seems weird... sending a gun through the mail), or do I mail it from my own local gun shop?

**gnbrotz** · February 9th, 2009, 09:14 PM

Originally Posted by Anthropophagus

Thanks, man. Do I mail it myself (that seems weird... sending a gun through the mail), or do I mail it from my own local gun shop?

You can't "mail" it. You can use UPS or FedEx, or take it to an FFL who can "mail" it for you. Only FFLs can use the USPS for handguns (you can mail a long gun)

**JCWohlschlag** · February 9th, 2009, 09:15 PM

Originally Posted by Anthropophagus

Thanks, man. Do I mail it myself (that seems weird... sending a gun through the mail), or do I mail it from my own local gun shop?

First, call to make sure the firearms dealer you will be sending the handgun to will accept shipments from regular non-dealer citizens. Although there is no law making it illegal, some firearms dealers will not accept shipments from non-dealers. If that firearms dealer only accepts shipments from other firearms dealers, either find another firearms dealer to ship to or have a firearms dealer near you ship it to him (for a nominal fee).

Second, if you do the shipping yourself, keep in mind that handguns cannot be shipped through the U.S. Postal Service. You must use FedEx, UPS, or other common carrier (if any others even exist). Make sure to comply with the firearms shipment rules of FedEx, UPS, or whatever carrier you use.

Addendum: And Greg beats me to it once again.

**CrazyWhiteGuy** · February 9th, 2009, 09:20 PM

Originally Posted by Anthropophagus

stationed at a military base in Virginia.

just out of curiosity here, but if he is living on base, is he even allowed to have his own gun (after buying it off of you) there?

**Burnsie** · February 9th, 2009, 09:37 PM

Originally Posted by CrazyWhiteGuy

just out of curiosity here, but if he is living on base, is he even allowed to have his own gun (after buying it off of you) there?

Most of the time you just have to take it somewhere on base and "register" it.

**CrazyWhiteGuy** · February 9th, 2009, 09:43 PM

Originally Posted by Burnsie

Most of the time you just have to take it somewhere on base and "register" it.

but won't they confiscate it when you are trying to get on base to get to the place to "register" it?

**knight0334** · February 9th, 2009, 09:57 PM

Originally Posted by CrazyWhiteGuy

just out of curiosity here, but if he is living on base, is he even allowed to have his own gun (after buying it off of you) there?

He will have to have consent of the Provost Marshal. He/she sets policy for the base. Some have pre-authorized provisions, some of which are loose and allowing you to keep it in private quarters to as strict as requiring it to be stored at the armory. Some are discretionary and on individual request. Some Provosts absolutely deny the privilege to bring a private firearm on base.

The friend in question should check ahead of time before acquiring any gun.