Out of State Gun Show Question

neacpa

I live in Arkansas and have decided that it is time to liquidate a few of my higher end long arms (son goes to college this fall). There is a gun show in Springfield, MO on May 19 & 20. I called to get a couple of tables and was told that I could only sell at the show if I was a FFL or the guns went through a FFL. I told the lady that I was not bringing any handguns, only long arms. She stated that, per ATF, it did not make any difference because I was out of state. I wasn't going to argue because I am not for sure, but I thought it would only apply to handguns. So I just politely thanked her for her time. Was she correct??

nmyers

I am not sure that I completely understand what you are saying that she said, but she is probably correct. You could only sell your long guns to those Arkansas residents who attend the Missouri show, or to FFL dealers. So, there really wouldn't be any point in your getting a table.

Federal law says that you, as a nonlicensee, can only sell firearms to an FFL in any state, or to a resident of YOUR state (state & local laws permitting).

A DEALER can sell a long gun to a resident of another state under certain conditions, but can only sell a handgun to a resident of his state.

Neal

dfletcher

I believe she is correct. As an AK resident you can not directly sell to a resident of another state. There may be some family or other narrow exceptions but for your purposes you'll need an FFL.

If you plan on attending & selling, you'll have to arrange for a MO FFL to handle the sale to MO residents. This shouldn't be a big problem although it's certainly more of a challenge than simply selling direct to a MO resident yourself. I'd expect that an agreed upon amount of $$$ from you will secure a dealer. The dealer would of course collect any MO state fees from the buyer.

If you're selling high end & not often seen items the additional paperwork & cost should not be a problem. But if you're selling items that other sellers have - and if MO residents can do direct private party sales to each other - you'll be at a disadvantage. All in all it sounds like a little extra work but can still be done.

Txs

Would it be legal for neacpa to arrange with an FFL holder at the show to handle the actual transactions for a fee or would he be required to run them through a dealer from his own state of residence?

rock,roll,n,load

Or you could list them right here on GB.
[:D][:D]

nmyers

Yes, technically neacpa could arrange for a local dealer to handle transfers to those who don't reside in Arkansas. But, what if a buyer talked him into selling to him direct to avoid the fee, & that "buyer" turned out to be one of the fellas with a bulge in his cheap suit? Then, not only would HE be arrested, but also the gun show organizer would be! So, it's no wonder that they won't give him a table.

Selling throught GB sounds a lot better.

Neal

duckhunter

List them here on the auction. Bring more money.

perry shooter

Hello I go to out of state shows all the time Most of my guns for sale are C&R type.But I also have bunches of SAA parts and Star reloaders but the few modern guns I sell I just tell anyone that is interested they will have to find a local FFL to transfer. There are loads of them at the shows and normal charges are $10.00 -$20.00 . One state N.C. you need to have a Tax account [xx(][xx(] and some show promoters ask for this and some don't.

Mooseyard

Even if you did have an FFL you would not be able to go to another state and sell (Except C&R). An FFL is only good for the state on the license.

iwannausername

Don't sell at the show. Put 'em up on a 9 day auction, starting a day or two before the show, or perhaps timed so they end at show closing time.

Go to the show, set up the guns and a computer with 'net access set to the GB home page. Let people create accounts, and make a bid, or record the auction number and bid from home.

Stipulate in the auction and in person that an in-person buyer must arrange for a FFL to accept it, either shipped or right then, like a "regular" auction only eliminating UPS/Fed Ex/USPS.

neacpa

Thanks for the info guys. Yes, she told me that I could have a FFL at the show do the transfer for me, but I'm not going to go that route. I have seriously considered putting them on GB. I know people say the no reserve method is the way to go, but I really don't think that I "have the cajones" to do it that way simply because I would be a new seller (never sold, only bought 4-5 items). I may try to figure out (in the next week or so) how to post pictures and become a seller, but just set an opening bid at the minimum I would take and let them run. If I do, I will post a "shameless plug". Thanks again.