Starting Jan.1st, the latest, new restrictions on gun transfers took effect. I've been going out on my normal rounds in my area, seeing what's going on. I have a beat in the north Puget Sound area that I stick to, so this isn't universal throughout the state by any means. But it my mind, what I'm experiencing are clues to how the new laws are settling in.
Gun dealers that I visit seem to have quite a few more guns available to sell. Some of the same stores I go into were pretty bare 18 months ago. Shops that take consignment guns have lots of them. I think this is a natural thing, because those new laws that I mentioned made it more of a hassle for private sellers. So selling on consignment at a dealer is one of the remaining viable options. Another observation, the price has to be right because I'm seeing some linger that are priced at Gunbroker levels. Especially since buyers seem to be fewer, for the moment. See last paragraph.
Selling on consignment at a dealer may be a brief option, considering the new security requirements that our state legislature just ladled out this session. Which takes effect July 1, 2025, if I read the story right. So dealers have less than a year and a half to comply. It is posited that many lesser FFL dealers will fold, rather than comply. Which will reduce the venues for consignment sale. Larger FFL dealers who remain, like Cabela's, Sportsman's Warehouse, (in this region) maybe Skagit Guns, do not at this time take consignment sales. It cuts into their sales of new guns.
As a result of the new hassles for buyers, many have quit buying. A sentiment that I've heard a lot from people I've spoken to. I'm getting the idea that this period between now and July 1, 2024 may be a golden era to buy guns here in Wash. If you can stand the hassle. Just know that what you are buying now will be all that much more difficult to sell later, should you want to.
Gun dealers that I visit seem to have quite a few more guns available to sell. Some of the same stores I go into were pretty bare 18 months ago. Shops that take consignment guns have lots of them. I think this is a natural thing, because those new laws that I mentioned made it more of a hassle for private sellers. So selling on consignment at a dealer is one of the remaining viable options. Another observation, the price has to be right because I'm seeing some linger that are priced at Gunbroker levels. Especially since buyers seem to be fewer, for the moment. See last paragraph.
Selling on consignment at a dealer may be a brief option, considering the new security requirements that our state legislature just ladled out this session. Which takes effect July 1, 2025, if I read the story right. So dealers have less than a year and a half to comply. It is posited that many lesser FFL dealers will fold, rather than comply. Which will reduce the venues for consignment sale. Larger FFL dealers who remain, like Cabela's, Sportsman's Warehouse, (in this region) maybe Skagit Guns, do not at this time take consignment sales. It cuts into their sales of new guns.
As a result of the new hassles for buyers, many have quit buying. A sentiment that I've heard a lot from people I've spoken to. I'm getting the idea that this period between now and July 1, 2024 may be a golden era to buy guns here in Wash. If you can stand the hassle. Just know that what you are buying now will be all that much more difficult to sell later, should you want to.
