How to Sell a Gun in Vermont

Highlights

• Always go through an FFL dealer when selling a gun to a private buyer. Direct private sales are illegal.
• There’s a waiting period of 72 hours or 7 business days, whichever is shorter, for gun sales.
• Don’t sell unregistered NFA items. Contact your local ATF office for proper disposal of them.
• If you want to skip all the hassle of adhering to the legal procedures of selling your gun, you can sell it to Cash for Arms.

How to Sell a Gun Legally in Vermont

To legally sell a gun in Vermont, you must follow all the applicable federal and state laws regarding gun sales.

There are only two federal laws that you should be aware of:

1. Brady Law
2. National Firearms Act

Brady Law

The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (Brady Law) amended the Gun Control Act of 1968. It mandated FFL dealers to do a background check on gun buyers. The check is to ensure they’re not a prohibited person.

Prohibited persons are:

1. Convicted felons
2. Fugitives from justice
3. Unlawful users or addicts of controlled substances
4. Individuals adjudicated as mental defectives or committed to mental institutions
5. Illegal aliens
6. Dishonorably discharged veterans
7. Those who have renounced U.S. citizenship
8. Subjects of certain restraining orders
9. Individuals convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence

Also, under the Gun Control Act, buyers must be at least 18 years old to buy rifles and shotguns and 21 years old to buy handguns or pistols.

National Firearms Act

The NFA regulates the sale, possession, and transfer of firearms and accessories. This law is quite complex, but as a seller, you just need to remember that you must not sell an unregistered NFA gun.

State Laws

Aside from federal laws, Vermont imposed some additional restrictions that you must know:

1. Waiting period. Vermont mandates a waiting period for most firearm transfers. It is 72 hours after the background check starts or 7 business days, whichever is shorter. However, there are some exemptions to this.
2. Mandatory background check. Private sales are illegal. All gun sales must go through an FFL dealer for the mandatory background check.
3. Magazine capacity. It’s illegal to sell long gun magazines that are more than 10 rounds and handgun magazines that are more than 15 rounds.

Vermont has preemption laws, meaning localities can’t impose stricter gun regulations.

Steps in Selling a Gun in Vermont

1. Choose an FFL dealer. It can be a gun shop, pawn shop, or retailer.
2. Know the value of your gun. To avoid getting lowballed, it’s best to at least know its market value range. Maintaining your gun well can also boost its value.
3. Bring your gun for inspection. Ensure you’re transporting your gun unloaded. The shop will inspect your gun and give you an initial offer based on their evaluation.
4. Negotiate. Negotiating with an FFL dealer can be challenging to some. However, try your best to get within the market value range of your gun. Don’t be afraid to withdraw from the deal if the offer is too low.
5. Close the sale. Once you’re satisfied with the offer, you may close the deal and do the necessary paperwork.

Pros and Cons of Selling to FFL Dealers and Private Buyers

Selling to Cash for Arms

If you're someone who values time and convenience, Cash for Arms would be a good option for you.

Unlike the other selling options, you can easily and smoothly sell your gun to us in three easy steps:

1. Visit our website and provide us with your gun details.
2. Accept our offer, which you’ll receive within an hour after your submission, and ship your gun with our free shipping label.
3. Get paid within 24 hours after we receive your gun.

Pros

• Smooth Process. Submit your gun's details and we'll take care of the rest! 
• Legal Safety. As a national FFL, we are legal to buy guns in all 50 states, including Vermont.
• High offers. We are known for having the highest offers for used guns.
• Multiple Payment Options. You can choose the payment method that best suits your needs. We offer Zelle, direct deposit, and traditional checks.

Cons

• Shipping. You do have to ship your gun to us. We provide a prepaid label and typically pay the day your gun arrives.

Selling to Dealers

Pros

• Smooth process. Selling to an FFL dealer ensures the transaction adheres to the legal process. This means you don't need to worry about any legal repercussions of your sale.
• Safety. Dealing with established businesses reduces personal safety risks associated with meeting unknown buyers.
• Immediate payment. Most FFL dealers offer instant cash payment.

Cons

• Low-balling. Gun shops, retailers, and pawn shops might give you low offers. It's best to shop around town to get the best deal.
• Uncomfortable environment. Many shops might feel too heavy or stressful for some sellers, especially when there's pressure to make a quick decision.
• Limited options. Some gun shops may not buy used firearms, and some may have specific preferences, which limits your selling choices.

Selling to Private Buyers

Pros

• Pricing freedom. Unlike FFL dealers, selling through private sales, like selling on GunBroker, allows you to set your gun's price range. Just make sure it's reasonable.
• Potential for higher prices. Private buyers may be willing to pay more for specific or rare firearms than dealers who need to make a profit on resale.
• Direct communication. You can discuss the gun's history and condition with the buyer. This might lead to a better deal for both parties.

Cons

• Direct private sale is illegal. You must always go through an FFL dealer when selling a gun to a private buyer in Vermont.
• Time-consuming. Finding the right buyer and arranging the sale can take significantly longer than selling to an FFL dealer. Also, it requires you to take pictures of your gun and posting them online.
• Safety concerns. Meeting strangers for high-value transactions can pose personal safety risks. Always meet in safe, public locations, like gun shops.
• Legal compliance burden. Ensuring all aspects of the sale comply with state and federal laws falls on you, which can be complex and risky if not done correctly.

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Conclusion

Selling a gun in Vermont requires careful attention to both federal and state laws. It's crucial to prioritize legal compliance and personal safety.

Cash for Arms buys second-hand guns legally and safely in Vermont, ensuring you get a fair and great offer. We offer an easy process that is convenient and works on your time.

To learn more, contact us at (904) 977-5477.