Washington Family or private party purchase/sale in Washington/Idaho/Montana question

gearheadbill · Jun 22, 2020

What are the rules for out-of-state purchases/transfers between private parties in Idaho and Montana? Example: seller is a Montana resident; purchaser is a Washington resident. Thank you.

Diamondback · Jun 22, 2020

Out-of-state has to go through an FFL; handguns can only be bought through an FFL in buyer's state of residence.

The Heretic · Jun 22, 2020

Firearms | Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

www.atf.gov

gearheadbill · Jun 22, 2020

Diamondback said:
Out-of-state has to go through an FFL; handguns can only be bought through an FFL in buyer's state of residence.

Thank you. A follow up question: are most private table sellers (any state really) willing to package/ship a firearm to an out-of-state FFL, or is too much hassle for most?

Alexx1401 · Jun 22, 2020

gearheadbill said:
Thank you. A follow up question: are most private table sellers (any state really) willing to package/ship a firearm to an out-of-state FFL, or is too much hassle for most?

That is all a matter of cost/ vs hassle. Anyone who is selling anything will of course do what the buyer wants if the buyer is willing to pay. The magic word here is pay. If you see a gun at a show in another state the only thing that makes the deal yes or no is cost. How much does the buyer want to ship to your dealer. Then of course when price is set is it worth it to you? As in the final cost still make the gun the price you want.

titsonritz · Jun 22, 2020

Just have a riot and burn down a few city blocks then you can do what ever you want.

gearheadbill · Jun 22, 2020

In my case I've been looking for one particular revolver in as-new condition for several years. We have friends/relatives in both Idaho and Montana and, I am considering timing my next couple of visits to coincide with a show or two there. Really just thinking out loud. Thanks

gearheadbill · Jun 22, 2020

titsonritz said:
Just have a riot and burn down a few city blocks then you can do what ever you want.

It may well come to that.

Alexx1401 · Jun 22, 2020

gearheadbill said:
In my case I've been looking for one particular revolver in as-new condition for several years. We have friends/relatives in both Idaho and Montana and, I am considering timing my next couple of visits to coincide with a show or two there. Really just thinking out loud. Thanks

Assuming those states can still just walk in and buy from private parties there, and you see what you have been looking for, what I would do is have the person who lives there buy the gun. Then find an FFL here to work with you. Have the person there send the gun to your FFL here who will then jump you through the legal hoops here to transfer your gun to you. This way assuming you find that hard to find item, you can grab it up while it's there. Easy to find out cost ahead of time for what your favorite FFL in this state wants to do this. Then as you shop in other states you know ahead of time what the total will be when looking for that gun.
I take it you also have been watching the auctions? I have always been leery of using them (auctions) to buy from private parties but have bought from dealers with great rating and never had a problem. If you can find what you want there works same way. Find an FFL you like here to do the transfer for you and you may well end up with that gun you've been wanting to get your hands on.
Last of course if you get it make sure you share some pics so the rest of us can drool and be jealous

gearheadbill · Jun 22, 2020

Alexx1401 said:
Assuming those states can still just walk in and buy from private parties there, and you see what you have been looking for, what I would do is have the person who lives there buy the gun. Then find an FFL here to work with you. Have the person there send the gun to your FFL here who will then jump you through the legal hoops here to transfer your gun to you. This way assuming you find that hard to find item, you can grab it up while it's there. Easy to find out cost ahead of time for what your favorite FFL in this state wants to do this. Then as you shop in other states you know ahead of time what the total will be when looking for that gun.
I take it you also have been watching the auctions? I have always been leery of using them (auctions) to buy from private parties but have bought from dealers with great rating and never had a problem. If you can find what you want there works same way. Find an FFL you like here to do the transfer for you and you may well end up with that gun you've been wanting to get your hands on.
Last of course if you get it make sure you share some pics so the rest of us can drool and be jealous

I have purchased several relatively inexpensive firearms from private sellers on auction sites over the years...never had a problem but that's just my experience. Would certainly do it again but never with a ton of money at risk.
I am wanting a particular revolver designed by a distant relative Merwin Hulbert in New York around the turn of the 20th century. I've seen several but they have all been too 'used' for my liking since it will be strictly a display piece.

Alexx1401 · Jun 22, 2020

gearheadbill said:
I have purchased several relatively inexpensive firearms from private sellers on auction sites over the years...never had a problem but that's just my experience. Would certainly do it again but never with a ton of money at risk.
I am wanting a particular revolver designed by a distant relative Merwin Hulbert in New York around the turn of the 20th century. I've seen several but they have all been too 'used' for my liking since it will be strictly a display piece.

Yea I kind of figured when you said something harder to find you would be talking about some good amount of money. Good luck, hope you can lay hands on the one you're after.