"Newbies" asking for illegal gun sales through PM's

[danp]

We do issue infractions for illegal requests and we have banned people in the past. We do differentiate between requests by people we think just don't know better than people who are obviously trying to break the law (although it can be hard)

I've also noticed that many people seem to interpret the idea of "FTF/Face-To-Face" transactions very differently.

I had assumed it was very well understood that within PA it meant "We'll meet at a local FFL rather than have me ship it to your FFL" but some people are reading such posts as literal "Lets meet in an alley" transactions.

So some of this I think may stem from confusion over terms.

[HiredGoon]

Originally Posted by danp

I've also noticed that many people seem to interpret the idea of "FTF/Face-To-Face" transactions very differently.

I had assumed it was very well understood that within PA it meant "We'll meet at a local FFL rather than have me ship it to your FFL" but some people are reading such posts as literal "Lets meet in an alley" transactions.

So some of this I think may stem from confusion over terms.

Good point, Dan. Maybe we should all start using the term "FTF at FFL". That might help to clarify...especially for newbies?

[jon'76]

I agree for the most part, but I do feel that we should make it clear that long gun transactions do not need to be performed at an FFL. No need to encourage bureaucratic BS.

I mean anyone who has been here for any length of time knows that it's FTF anywhere for long guns, and FTF at FFL for pistols of any sort. I have completed to my satisfaction a couple FTF transfers of long arms and I prefer to meet at an FFL, but I have and would complete the transaction elsewhere if the person was trustworthy. Also, I was charged for a transfer once by the FFL where we met which pissed me off to no end. I won't say who as they are a great outfit, but IMO were unreasonable in this one case though I understand the need to CYA.

[danp]

Originally Posted by jon'76

I mean anyone who has been here for any length of time knows that it's FTF anywhere for long guns, and FTF at FFL for pistols of any sort.

The problem is at 25-30 new registrations a day, most people haven't been here that long.

[P-11 shooter]

Originally Posted by danp

The problem is at 25-30 new registrations a day, most people haven't been here that long.

I think the reason people prefer FFL for long guns is just "better safe than sorry."

Yeah, it's not required but it never hurts to CYA.

*edit*

ESPECIALLY whn LEO's are trolling for people doing things illegally. In that case it's best to be OVERLY cautious and go through an FFL.

[HiredGoon]

Originally Posted by jon'76

I agree for the most part, but I do feel that we should make it clear that long gun transactions do not need to be performed at an FFL. No need to encourage bureaucratic BS.

I mean anyone who has been here for any length of time knows that it's FTF anywhere for long guns, and FTF at FFL for pistols of any sort. I have completed to my satisfaction a couple FTF transfers of long arms and I prefer to meet at an FFL, but I have and would complete the transaction elsewhere if the person was trustworthy. Also, I was charged for a transfer once by the FFL where we met which pissed me off to no end. I won't say who as they are a great outfit, but IMO were unreasonable in this one case though I understand the need to CYA.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't understand what you mean here (my bold). It was a long gun transfer and you met at the FFL but did not want to do the non-required transfer paperwork? Then how could they charge you? I'm just not getting it I guess.

[mythaeus]

Originally Posted by danp

We do issue infractions for illegal requests and we have banned people in the past. We do differentiate between requests by people we think just don't know better than people who are obviously trying to break the law (although it can be hard)

I've also noticed that many people seem to interpret the idea of "FTF/Face-To-Face" transactions very differently.

I had assumed it was very well understood that within PA it meant "We'll meet at a local FFL rather than have me ship it to your FFL" but some people are reading such posts as literal "Lets meet in an alley" transactions.

So some of this I think may stem from confusion over terms.

I hear ya Dan, but these PM's have a certain stink all over, especially the wordings were very similar to several PM's I got a while back about a Beretta Tomcat I had for sale. Once I PM'ed Silver_Bullet telling him that I have reported him and his "buddy" to the forum admin, they both disappeared, no replies or clarifications, so no misunderstanding there. I thought I'd raised the issue to remind "our" people of the responsibility we bear (regardless of it's true or not we are being watched).

Regards,
Al

PS: correct me if I am wrong, but you CANNOT do a FTF at an FFL transfer by 2 individuals from 2 different states right?

[jon'76]

I met the other person at the FFL to do the transaction with the intent that we do the transaction then I pick up some ammo and shoot a bit at the range.

The FFL then decided to enter the firearm into their bound book, and charge me for a transfer. I said I didn't want to pay the transfer as its not required and they said it was done in our store and its our policy. They had already taken down the Serial Number and the other relevant info on the gun when I put it down and looked at something else.

It wasn't a massive deal, but it was a good chunk of change that I didn't want to spend. I admit I was cowed into it because I did not want to cause a scene and be the difficult guy who's not welcome back. They did not receive any other money from me in ammo or range time that day.