I was browsing on gunbroker (don't we all;-), and found an rifle that caught my eye. Looking it over, I was pleased to discover the seller lived in Indiana. Now the rifle looked all the nicer--no added $30 shipping and $20 transfer fee’s. So I email the seller asking if he'd be interested in a FTF sales (not subverting GB--just skipping shipping and transfer). I told him I had a LTCH and an 03 ffl (and since the gun is an old military rifle, I don't need to go through an ffl anyway—but I’m used to people having no idea what a C&R is).
He replied, very politely, that the gun was not eligible for FTF transfer because the gun was not 100 years old, therefore the gun would need to go through an FFL for transfer.
Aside from the inaccurate understanding for the FFA 1968 (1898 receivers, therefore guns would have to be 111 years old now)--I was surprised that a gun owner had no idea he has the legal right to make commercial commerce with his property without requiring the facilitation of a middle man (at least within state boundaries.)
I sent him another email, outlining the rights of an 03 ffl, what my LTCH meant in terms of me being legally able to buy a gun and that he was free to sale his property within state to anyone he felt to be legally able to own said gun. I even asked him to check out this sight and ask around if he was unsure.
I haven't heard back from him--but again, I am startled to imagine there are actually gun owners who are so misinformed. Honestly, I'd buy his rifle in a heartbeat if he becomes aware of the law (though I suspect it would have been sold long ago locally had he been aware). And again, this seller has been nothing but courteous with me. I have nothing against him (he's got great taste in rifles;-)--just with the misinformation he's been given.
I guess the moral of this story is: Talk about our rights out loud, it may even be the guy standing next to you in the gun store who may not know.
Ronn
He replied, very politely, that the gun was not eligible for FTF transfer because the gun was not 100 years old, therefore the gun would need to go through an FFL for transfer.
Aside from the inaccurate understanding for the FFA 1968 (1898 receivers, therefore guns would have to be 111 years old now)--I was surprised that a gun owner had no idea he has the legal right to make commercial commerce with his property without requiring the facilitation of a middle man (at least within state boundaries.)
I sent him another email, outlining the rights of an 03 ffl, what my LTCH meant in terms of me being legally able to buy a gun and that he was free to sale his property within state to anyone he felt to be legally able to own said gun. I even asked him to check out this sight and ask around if he was unsure.
I haven't heard back from him--but again, I am startled to imagine there are actually gun owners who are so misinformed. Honestly, I'd buy his rifle in a heartbeat if he becomes aware of the law (though I suspect it would have been sold long ago locally had he been aware). And again, this seller has been nothing but courteous with me. I have nothing against him (he's got great taste in rifles;-)--just with the misinformation he's been given.
I guess the moral of this story is: Talk about our rights out loud, it may even be the guy standing next to you in the gun store who may not know.
Ronn
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