Gun Sale Myths Debunked: Truths about Selling Used Guns

Myth 1: You Can Only Sell Used Guns to Private Persons

Why it’s a myth: You can sell used guns to gun dealers too.

It’s easy to prove this. We’re licensed gun dealers at Cash for Arms and we buy used guns all the time!

Of course, the same caveats apply here as when selling guns to private individuals. For example, there’s no guarantee that a dealer will want the gun you’re offering.

You’re not always sure that the dealer will want it at the price you’ve set. But that’s part and parcel of any type of resale!

Myth 2: All Gun Buyers Need Background Checks

Why it’s a myth: Some states don’t require background checks for gun transfers.

This is specifically for private gun sales, i.e. selling a gun to a private individual. States have different laws on that matter.

As an example, take a look at New York. In this state, everyone buying a gun has to undergo a background check. This is true whether the buyer is getting it from another private individual or a gun dealer.

Now let’s swing all the way over to Texas. By contrast, private gun sales don’t need background checks in this state.

So, it depends on where the buyer is located and what the laws are in that area.

Myth 3: A Used Gun Needs to Work to Be Resellable

Why it’s a myth: Curios, antique guns, and scrap-part guns exist.

We know people who say, “Selling my guns is impossible since they’re so old none of them still work.”

You know what? Just hold on there, pardner, because someone may still buy them!

There’s still a market for non-working guns, especially rare curios and antiques. The latter can be especially valuable. Check our guide to selling antique guns if you have a pre-1900 gun!

Aside from those, some non-working guns also sell because people want to break them down to get their parts for other guns. Some even buy them to practice fixing old firearms!

Guns sold for this reason won’t sell for a lot, though. If you’ve seen our gun value articles, they’re usually worth much less than half of the gun’s original value.

Myth 4: A Bill of Sale Is a Legal Requirement for All Gun Sales

Why it’s a myth: In most states, it’s just nice-to-have, not necessary-by-law.

Again, this is dependent on the laws of your state. However, it’s generally not required to have a bill of sale, especially for legal private gun sales.

Keep in mind that we’re not telling you to skip making one! A lot of people enjoy the peace of mind a bill of sale provides for tracking gun ownership transfers.

Myth 5: You Don’t Need an FFL to Sell a Gun to Family

Why it’s a myth: There are states where FFLs are required even for these gun transfers.

You’ve probably noticed the pattern now: it depends on the laws of your state.

The states with stricter laws on private gun sales require background checks even on gun sales between family members. That typically means going through an FFL or gun dealer.

There are also states where the legal definition of “family” differs from yours. For example, you might consider your second cousin “family.”

Unfortunately, if you’re in Colorado, the state’s definition doesn’t agree with yours. First cousins count as family in Colorado’s gun sale laws but second cousins don’t. So, they aren’t exempt from the background check requirements.

Myth 6: You Can Ship a Gun Directly to Any Buyer

Why it’s a myth: Interstate shipping requires FFLs and some carriers don’t ship guns.

You can ship guns directly to FFLs. That’s why people selling guns to us can ship to us directly. Our being licensed dealers makes it legal, even if the seller is shipping to us from another state.

Now say you’re shipping to a private individual you found by selling your guns online. If they’re in the same state as you, it’s often fine to ship the gun (though it depends on state law again!).

If they’re in a different state, however, there’s no direct shipping option. Federal law says you can only ship a gun interstate by sending it to an FFL in the recipient’s state.

Keep in mind that most carriers have rules about shipping guns too. You have to check with your carrier, but the rules are often strictest for handguns. They generally ship only to FFLs.

As an added tip, don’t try to sneak your gun through a carrier by lying about what it is. Title 18, Chapter 44, Paragraph 922 (e) of the Federal Code is clear here. Failing to notify carriers of a packaged firearm is illegal.

Let Us Give You an Easy and Rewarding Sale

The notes above should have clarified a lot of the misunderstandings about selling used guns. If you have more questions, don’t be afraid to reach out to us!

And if you want to know how to sell used guns quickly and profitably, contact us too. As we said earlier, we buy used guns – and do so for great prices.

If you don’t believe us, check out our reviews. We have a 4.9/5 rating on Google for a reason. We’ll give you the best market prices we can offer for each of your used guns and you can pocket the cash quickly without any fuss!