Are you under a Stay At Home order? Have the gun shows in your area closed down due to the pandemic? Gun stores around the country are overrun with new purchasers. And during this time more questions than ever are being asked on how to conduct a private sale as an alternative.
What is the law on conducting a private sale as an alternative? Can you lawfully sell a firearm privately in Georgia? If so, how do you stay on the right side of the law? And how can you make sure your firearm doesn’t end up in the wrong hands?
PRIVATE SALES
A private sale is a sale, purchase, or transfer of a firearm by parties that are not licensed dealers. A private sale, gift, or transfer of a firearm to another individual is perfectly legal for both handguns and long guns in Georgia as long as all other legal requirements are met.
THE LAW ON PRIVATE SALES
Georgia law allows residents of Georgia to purchase rifles and shotguns from a Federal Firearms Licensee (“FFL”) in “any state of the United States,” so long as the sale complies with all federal laws, the laws of Georgia, and the purchaser’s state. Non-residents may purchase rifles and shotguns in Georgia from an FFL; however, the private sale of a handgun in Georgia is only legal when both parties reside in this state. Similarly, under federal law, an unlicensed (non-dealer) may only “transfer” a firearm to another unlicensed person in the same state. This means that if a person is a resident of Georgia, federal law prohibits the person from directly (not through a dealer) selling or transferring the firearm to a resident of another state.
Federal law makes these transactions illegal from both the buyer/transferee and seller/transferor perspective. It is illegal for a private individual to transport into or receive within his own state a firearm which was purchased in another state from a private seller. See 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(3). Likewise, it is illegal for a private seller to sell or deliver a firearm to an individual whom the private seller knows, or has reason to believe, is not a resident of the seller’s state. See 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(5).
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BEST PRACTICES FOR CONDUCTING A PRIVATE SALE OF A FIREARM
The key in private sales, obviously, is that you cannot knowingly sell to the “wrong” person. A private individual may sell a firearm to a private buyer in the same state, so long as the seller does not know or have reasonable cause to believe that the person purchasing the firearm is prohibited from possessing or receiving a firearm under federal or state law.
Here are some steps to take in private sales to keep you on the right side of the law. These are practical tips that should not be ignored. If you engage in the private sale of a firearm, make sure you:
- Ask for identification to establish Georgia residency, whether you are the buyer/transferee or seller/transferor. Ideally, this will be a valid Georgia Weapons Carry License. If the buyer has a valid Georgia Weapons Carry License, you will know that the buyer is a Georgia resident. Additionally, it will be clear they are eligible to possess a firearm.
- Insist upon a “bill of sale” for the transfer and keep a copy. Identify the firearm including the make, model, and serial number, as well as the date and place of transfer.
- Put the residency information on the “bill of sale,” including names, addresses, and phone numbers of the buyer and you.
- Do not sell or transfer a firearm or ammunition if you think the person may not be permitted or is prohibited from receiving the firearm.
Why do this? Not only will it help establish residency, but if you unfortunately happen to buy or sell a firearm that was previously used in a crime, or if you sell or transfer a gun that is later used in a crime, you want to be able to establish when you did and did not own or possess the firearm.
ASK THE BUYER IF THEY CAN OWN A FIREARM
During a private sale, you might ask the buyer whether there is any reason they cannot own a firearm. Why? If an issue arises later, you can say you had no reason to know the buyer couldn’t legally possess firearms. Pay attention, and do not overlook behavior that may indicate the buyer is not telling you the truth. Law enforcement will not overlook facts that show you did know, or should have had reasonable cause to believe the buyer/transferee couldn’t own a firearm at the time of the transfer, if a legal issue arises later. Something as simple as making a mental note of the state license plate on the car your buyer drives could help you stay on the right side of the law. If a buyer shows up in a car with South Carolina tags to buy a Georgia gun, this should cause concern.
These simple tips should help keep your spring cleaning on the correct side of the law. For questions about legally conducting the private sale of a firearm, please contact U.S. LawShield and ask to speak to an Independent Program Attorney.
In the day of virtual simulations and things being handed over on a silver platter, shooting requires a lot of work, especially if you want to become good at it.
In the day of virtual simulations and things being handed over on a silver platter, shooting requires a lot of work, especially if you want to become good at it.
Well this is very greatful article. In the day of virtual simulations and things being handed over on a silver platter, shooting requires a lot of work, especially if you want to become good at it.
Well this is very greatful article.