Buying handguns online
I have'n't bought a handgun for a number of years and my question is other than buying a handgun directly from a local dealer/store what's the procedure for buying a handgun from from a dealer or anyone online AND I know there are fees involved but have they changed or gone up over the past few years? Thank you for your replies.
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The handgun will have to be shipped to an ffl dealer. You will have to pay a fee to the dealer. Some ffl's will not accept a gun unless shipped by another ffl dealer. If that is the case, someone will have to pay the shipping dealer a fee unless the seller is the dealer. Shipping cost by Fedx or UPS will be $75 or more. Dealers can mail a handgun. Postage will be much cheaper, maybe $25.00.
You should contact a local dealer and see what his fees and practices are before making a purchase. FFL dealer fees for receiving will range between $10 and $75, maybe higher.0 -
One complication: Our friend Mr 60 lives in California. That means he can only buy CA approved guns, & the seller must be registered to ship to a CA FFL. And, of course, everything will cost more.
The best approach is to first talk to your local dealer. (GB has a list of dealers in every state who have agreed to accept guns shipped from out of state.) Your dealer will know what you can, & what you cannot, receive.
Neal0 -
quote:Originally posted by deathrunner60
I haven't bought a handgun for a number of years and my question is other than buying a handgun directly from a local dealer/store what's the procedure for buying a handgun from from a dealer or anyone online AND I know there are fees involved but have they changed or gone up over the past few years? Thank you for your replies.
I see you're from South San Francisco, CA. In addition to the handgun being shipped to an FFL dealer you also have to be concerned about "the roster". CA allows in only certain handguns and what CA considers approved is very specific. A 10 year old Smith & Wesson Model 15 isn't the same as a current one. See attached:
http://certguns.doj.ca.gov/
There are exemptions, such as single action revolvers, curio & relic handguns. But for "I want that new gun" it must be specifically listed.
While CA limits fees for in state PPT (private party transfer) the sky is the limit for sales coming in from out of state. In addition to collecting sales tax, figure any where from $50.00 to $200.00 for fees depending on the gun involved. And the dealer involved. Some don't like doing the transfer so they hit heavy enough on fees to encourage an in store buy.
Most dealers collect sales tax, aren't overly interested in the exact cost of the gun, so ballpark low when they ask how much it cost. [;)]
Out of state FFLs also have to comply with the CA CFLC program and sometimes charge $20.00 or so for the extra work.
Having bought a fair number of guns on line (thank you GB!) getting a gun into CA generally costs about $150.00 over the final sales cost when you figure an "about $500.00 gun" and shipping, DROS, fee and tax.
You might want to visit Krausewerks in San Mateo (off 92 & ECR) or City Arms in Pacifica, just off Francisco and Paloma Blvd. Krausewerks is very good on transfers, City Arms is knowledgeable about the roster & paperwork you must have to do the deal. Nothing worse than having your pistola on the counter and being told "it's not CA legal" [:(]0 -
Personally I'd want to inspect it before I buy it. Even if I only have 2 to choose from - one will be fitted better.
added If tell us the use for such handgun we could help narrow down your search.0 -
From the auction side home page, click on the "Buy" button under Advanced search. From there you can read up on process http://www.GunBroker.com/c/user/howtobuy/ and find an FFL in your area that will do transfers. http://www.GunBroker.com/c/user/dealernetwork/ 0 -
I got two local gun stores (about 10 miles apart) One don't do online out of state transfers. The other charges like $130, then state tax on postage and on the handgun. Unless the handgun in question is like $100 less after all the fees I'd buy local.
In South Bay (Mountain View/San Jose) there are like a dozen shops and you can hop to East Bay for more. Check out Yelp.0 -
Thanks to all for the responses. At least now I'm not going in blind and I do have some important info to get started. If I can find what I'm looking for at a local store I'll more than likely buy from that source. Haven't decided just yet on the handgun of choice. Hopefully soon that decision will be made! 0 -
I've purchased a few firearms on GB and for the most part shipping and handling have run from $25-$35. My FFL charges me $25 for his "transfer fee" for long arms and an additional $13 on a hand gun for the "back ground check". 0 -
There is another online dealer who is very good. I won't say who it is here out of respect to the host of this site. 0
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