Gun show trade and sell?

mapsjanhere · March 25, 2012, 09:19 AM

At the last gun show I attended there was an argument about the legality of trading for a gun and then selling it at the same show. About half the people thought you can't do that as a private seller, others thought it fine. There was also a rumor of ATF agents trapping people with that trick for lack of FFL. Does anyone have a legal reference to this?

ScottRiqui · March 25, 2012, 09:55 AM

For a private individual, I can't see the problem. Regarding the people that said it *wasn't* legal, what was their reasoning? Did it have to do with the fact that you initially got the gun in trade, as opposed to buying it? Or are they saying that you can't sell a gun that you only recently acquired? I'm not seeing where a private individual would be running afoul of any laws.

Patriot86 · March 25, 2012, 12:04 PM

What state are we talking about here? That could come into play....

If you trade for a gun in a state with no waiting period...its your property. Why can't you turn around and sell it? If memory serves you need an FFL if you are "in the business of buying and selling firearms" meaning you sell more than 3 a year.

I know Bloomberg & Co have been sending out officers to entrap people at gun shows in the North East but never herd of it elsewhere.

kinggabby · March 25, 2012, 01:00 PM

I see no problem in buying and turning around and making a $10- whatever profit if it is your gun.

Flaman · March 25, 2012, 04:02 PM

I'm pretty sure it depends on the state also... My website (see signature line below) has a links page; check out some of those pages- one of them should be able to answer your question....

mapsjanhere · March 25, 2012, 04:33 PM

Well, the argument was strictly federal - ATF related; basically, if you're acquiring a gun at a gun show and turn around and sell it immediately, you're "in business" as you were obviously not buying the gun for yourself but for profit.

**Tom Servo** · March 25, 2012, 06:48 PM

Quote:

if you're acquiring a gun at a gun show and turn around and sell it immediately, you're "in business"

It's a grey area, but the word "repetitive" is used in the statute.

Emuricah513 · March 27, 2012, 10:28 AM

Personally I can't see an issue with this. I'm with everyone else here wondering on what grounds can they charge you with something? I'd have to speak with someone who has had this happen but even then I can't say I'd be swayed that they were wrong by any means. This is the government we're talking about here their philosophy has always been "Let's take something simple and complicate it." I will continue to do so if I choose until I am personally stopped.

March 25, 2012, 09:19 AM	#1
mapsjanhere Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 2,832	Gun show trade and sell? At the last gun show I attended there was an argument about the legality of trading for a gun and then selling it at the same show. About half the people thought you can't do that as a private seller, others thought it fine. There was also a rumor of ATF agents trapping people with that trick for lack of FFL. Does anyone have a legal reference to this? __________________ I used to love being able to hit hard at 1000 yards. As I get older I find hitting a mini ram at 200 yards with the 22 oddly more satisfying.

March 25, 2012, 04:33 PM	#6
mapsjanhere Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 2,832	Well, the argument was strictly federal - ATF related; basically, if you're acquiring a gun at a gun show and turn around and sell it immediately, you're "in business" as you were obviously not buying the gun for yourself but for profit. __________________ I used to love being able to hit hard at 1000 yards. As I get older I find hitting a mini ram at 200 yards with the 22 oddly more satisfying.

March 27, 2012, 10:28 AM	#8
Emuricah513 Member Join Date: February 9, 2012 Location: North Dakota - From Ohio Posts: 45	Personally I can't see an issue with this. I'm with everyone else here wondering on what grounds can they charge you with something? I'd have to speak with someone who has had this happen but even then I can't say I'd be swayed that they were wrong by any means. This is the government we're talking about here their philosophy has always been "Let's take something simple and complicate it." I will continue to do so if I choose until I am personally stopped. __________________ "When the law disallows both the means and moral authority to defend one's self and property, crime and violence fill the void between common sense and the hoped for utopia."

March 25, 2012, 09:55 AM	#2
ScottRiqui Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 2,905	For a private individual, I can't see the problem. Regarding the people that said it wasn't legal, what was their reasoning? Did it have to do with the fact that you initially got the gun in trade, as opposed to buying it? Or are they saying that you can't sell a gun that you only recently acquired? I'm not seeing where a private individual would be running afoul of any laws.

March 25, 2012, 12:04 PM	#3
Patriot86 Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2010 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 1,293	What state are we talking about here? That could come into play.... If you trade for a gun in a state with no waiting period...its your property. Why can't you turn around and sell it? If memory serves you need an FFL if you are "in the business of buying and selling firearms" meaning you sell more than 3 a year. I know Bloomberg & Co have been sending out officers to entrap people at gun shows in the North East but never herd of it elsewhere.

March 25, 2012, 01:00 PM	#4
kinggabby Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2011 Location: OKC Posts: 502	I see no problem in buying and turning around and making a $10- whatever profit if it is your gun.

March 25, 2012, 04:02 PM	#5
Flaman Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2005 Posts: 201	I'm pretty sure it depends on the state also... My website (see signature line below) has a links page; check out some of those pages- one of them should be able to answer your question....