Unreasonable to ask for signed bill of sale on private gun sale?

[merotek]

I won't sell one without a signed bill of sale.

 

[JetGirl]

Just curious...
To all of you who won't do a transaction without a bill of sale, what is the worst thing that you're afraid of happening if you don't have one?
Please don't say you're going to be imprisoned because your previously owned gun was used in a crime and you didn't get a signature from the buyer...

 

[Donnelly]

Everybody always talks about this from the seller's point of view, but what about the buyer? As a buyer I think I would want some sort of receipt. What would keep some unscrupulous person from selling a firearm and then later reporting the same gun as stolen?

Try explaining that to the police the next time that you get pulled over and a LEO takes control of your firearm "for their safety", decides to run the numbers to check for stolen property, and returns to your car with that scowl on his face. What started out as a traffic infraction has now become a felony due to your "possession" of a stolen gun.

Hey, it could happen.

 

[pudly]

Interesting and nonsensical hypothetical. It wouldn't take much to pull up the for sale listing to show that the seller was selling the firearm and had filed a false police report. Do you have any examples of that situation happening?

FYI- If it makes you more comfortable, you can ask to see the seller's ID/LTCH and/or require that they sign a BoS. However, be sure to state that up front in the transaction. I would certainly leave negative trader feedback for anyone that pulled that as a surprise after driving to the meeting place to make sure that other traders didn't have to put up with the same B.S. behavior.

 

[ilikeguns]

If you feel the need for one, fine. Your sale your terms. However, I really can't see the point of it if you don't ask to see some ID. In my opinion that is much more important anyway , to verify residence. A bill of sale is not required, but selling only to another resident is. And what's the point of Having a piece of paper with a fake name on it. Just doesn't make any sense to me.

 

[JetGirl]

Interesting and nonsensical hypothetical. It wouldn't take much to pull up the for sale listing to show that the seller was selling the firearm and had filed a false police report. Care to point to any examples of that situation happening?

Not that I'm saying I think it happens...but I'm just gonna throw something in here to blow your mind: Not all sales happen because of INGO (or any social media).

Seriously, there are some that are just in-real-life "I know a guy..."situations.

 

[JetGirl]

A bill of saddle is not required

Horse hockey!
(Sorry, I HAD to. )

 

[horsehaulin]

Unless the person is a close friend, I too ask for a signed bill of sale. In today's litigious society to me it's a smart thing to do. If that gun is ever used in a crime and you were the last registered user life could get uncomfortable for you very quickly.

Where can I sign up for this registry you speak of?

 

[pudly]

Not that I'm saying I think it happens...but I'm just gonna throw something in here to blow your mind: Not all sales happen because of INGO (or any social media).

Seriously, there are some that are just in-real-life "I know a guy..."situations.

Then feel free to require a BoS. Not a single person has said that you can't. Many don't want to and they should be informed up front. You do seem to be arguing both sides of this.

 

[hopper68]

I know of a situation where a couple split and the wife (friend of my brother's wife) sold all of the husband's guns. A dated receipt in a case such as this might be helpful down the road when the lawyers get involved.

Note: I do not know if he ever tried to get his guns back or did anything about it.

 

[Exodus]

I make two copies one for me one for them and we both sign both.

Along with ID/LTCH.

 

[richardraw316]

Every firearm sale. I am a purchaser or a seller will involve a bill of sale. If you do not like it you will not be dealing with me. I include this in the description of every sale I have had so as not to blind side anyone.
Jetgirl. If you would like me to explain why. I will pm you. I do not want to flamed to death on this forum and I believe my explanation would cause that. It has before.

 

[JetGirl]

Then feel free to require a BoS. Not a single person has said that you can't. Many don't want to and they should be informed up front. You do seem to be arguing both sides of this.

I guess you don't understand...
I'm not "for" or "against" either. As far as I'm concerned, it's up to the seller and the buyer to agree to whatever terms come into play. Both.
If the terms are a "no go" to either party...then buh bye. Both.
Personally (as I already said), I've never asked for one, and don't really see myself doing so.
But I AM still curious as to what motivates people to be so dead set on having one.

Jetgirl. If you would like me to explain why. I will pm you. I do not want to flamed to death on this forum and I believe my explanation would cause that. It has before.

Sure, I'm game. I promise my inbox is flame-free.

 

[Jack Burton]

Honestly? Asking us if your actions are reasonable or unreasonable is about the same as asking us if we think your wife is attractive.

 

[JetGirl]

Honestly? Asking us if your actions are reasonable or unreasonable is about the same as asking us if we think your wife is attractive.

We already had that thread, too.

 

[colts1982]

I find it very reasonable and I see no reason why someone would mind if they have nothing to hide just sounds like your protecting yourself

 

[JetGirl]

I see no reason why someone would mind if they have nothing to hide

If you have nothing to hide...you won't mind if we just take a look through your house unguided...

 

[Bushido Devil Dog]

I haven't ever asked, but if I did it would be MY condition of the sale.
Don't want to sign? Don't. No gun for you.

(Sorry, I HAD to. )

Likewise..!

Between the two ends of the the transaction, I'd be more concerned about covering my

as the buyer in case the gun I was getting was stolen (as has already been discussed)... As the seller, not so much, because I would completely strip and thoroughly clean the gun to ensure that all prints, blood splatter, DNA, brain matter, etc. were removed before I sold it!

 

[WebSnyper]

Honestly? Asking us if your actions are reasonable or unreasonable is about the same as asking us if we think your wife is attractive.

Pics?

I find it very reasonable and I see no reason why someone would mind if they have nothing to hide just sounds like your protecting yourself

That argument is not sound. Why plead the 5th if you are not guilty. why not allow a search if you have nothing to hide... it goes downhill from there.

I agree with JG on this, it is up to the buyer and seller in the transaction and no one else.

If you have nothing to hide...you won't mind if we just take a look through your house unguided...

Exactly. It is not about having nothing to hide. Just like the 2nd amendment is not about need, etc.

 

[snapping turtle]

I have had since 1985 a reciept book for every gun I have sold. I call it a book of the one's that got away. Many I have pictures of. I log serial and model numbers.

I require DL and in case of handgun LTCH and I also include mine as I would never ask someone for info that i would not give them. covers me and it covers them.

For me it gives me a chance to look back and see what I had at one time and what I let go. I miss most every gun I have ever sold. They are like long lost friends that moved to the coast. I keep it in the safe with my guns.

I do put in the add I require it and have never had anyone give me crap about it. Maybe it does cut down the riff raff as everybody I have sold to I seem to run into at some time and we start up a conversation about what happen to the gun or how they liked it.

When buying I do not require it just when i sell one. I did ask one guy to sign one for me buying once he would not and I did not buy them. It was far to good a deal on a few guns and the guy seemed very shady it just felt wrong. Sometimes you just get that feeling and need to follow it. I would have loved to get those guns for that price. I even remember them a 1974 marlin 336 30 30 texan, a smith model 60, a wather ppk 32 auto and a ruger bearcat 357. Maybe i should have handed over the 850 cash (1990's) dollars. the marlin texan is worht the 850 alone now.