How do you go about selling a used shotgun?

Answer 1

There are many ways to sell a used shotgun or rifle. First, know the laws of your state, county, and city. Are there any permits required to possess? Any registration procedures to follow? Most states do not have any such restrictions beyond federal law, for most common sporting shotguns.

Second, you have to know the details about your gun. Manufacturer and brand, model number, barrel length, caliber or chambering, etc. Plan to tell people what kind of finish it has, what kind of stock (wood, synthetic, etc.) and what color (wood grain, camo, black, etc.). If you're going to advertise anywhere, you'll need some pictures you can post online or e-mail to potential buyers.

Then you ought to do some research about what your gun is worth. Look it up online. Take it to a gun store or pawn shop and see what they would offer you. See if they will look it up in the Blue Book of Gun Values. Go visit some gun auction websites and see what other people are selling theirs for.

Then when it comes to selling it, you need to advertise. Find some local and state-specific website for gun lovers, shooters, hunters, collectors, etc. Register there and see if you can post in the classified ad section.

FEDERAL LAW: You can only sell a gun to somebody who lives in the same state that you do. If an out-of-state person wants to buy your gun, you can't sell it directly to them, even if they come to your state to pick it up. You must send the gun to an FFL licensed gun dealer in their home state and they can pick it up at the dealer's business. This normally costs about $25 as a fee for the dealer, plus shipping costs (maybe $20 for long guns like a shotgun-- handguns are a lot more because they're so easily stolen the package companies want them to go "next day air.")

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