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

[mythaeus]

A couple of months ago, I got a PM from someone in Bel Air, MD saying that they are interested in buying a gun I had listed. I explained the procedures, he replied and said he doesn't want to involve a 3rd party.

Today, I got a PM from one inquiring about another gun I have for sale, then someone followed up asking for a FTF sale "cash and carry" without FFL, both are new members (no prior postings) and are from Bel Air, MD.

I am wondering if:
1. Anyone else is getting these messages?
2. Are these baits to try and catch us off guard?
3. Can you send PM if the account is not approved? Mods, "offroad13" and "Silver_Bullet" are the 2 recently registered users involving in this.

If anything, heads up guys! KNOW the law. ALL interstate transfer of all firearms MUST go through an FFL.

Regards,
Al

[Karl/PA]

Good move on your part. Can't be too careful.

[knighthawk06699]

The feds often bounce in and out of these boards looking to bait people into doing illegal things. Just do everything by the books and keep everything legal as it should be done, and you will have no worries.

[str8shooter]

Did you forward the PMs to the mods? I'm not sure if you can flag a PM, but you should either forward them, or flag your own post to bring it to their attention.

[jahwarrior72]

i got a couple of these, when i was selling 3 of my guns. i didn't know whether to report them to the mods, or just ignore them.

i made up a rule, that from now on, no transactions with anyone with less than 100 posts.

[str8shooter]

Originally Posted by jahwarrior72

i got a couple of these, when i was selling 3 of my guns. i didn't know whether to report them to the mods, or just ignore them.

i made up a rule, that from now on, no transactions with anyone with less than 100 posts.

That's a reasonable safety net, even if it does exclude some potential honest buyers. Another good practice is to use the Bill of Sale off this site since it asks for the buyer's PA drivers license. Take a close look and make sure it's still valid. I've also seen some sellers require a LTCF, even for a FTF long gun purchase. Unfortunately too many people know that losing one of those requires it be surrendered within 5 days, so it's a pretty good bet anyone who possesses one is legally able to purchase a gun.

[Fraggle09027]

IMHO I would forward the pm's to a mod. I am not a mod but I would not tolerate illegal activity trying to be conducted on my forum (again it is not mine so I'll leave the final say to our mods and management). Just my 2 cents.

[Xringshooter]

I get them about once/twice a month, all would be illegal sales. I just tell them "Sorry, this is the way it has to be and if you don't like it too bad". Mine have all come from states with very restrictive gun laws. One was from NYC and he said he would drive to State College to pick it up (handgun). Others were from NJ and MD. I have found that once I say nope, they don't reply and typically I don't see any posts again (I write the name down and check in a month to see how many posts they have). If they persist in their argument, I would forward the PM to a mod and they can hammer them.

[LittleRedToyota]

wasn't there a case a little while back where one of these turned out to be a police officer (or maybe ATF agent) trying to entice someone into breaking the law?

i seem to remember a thread about it and the PAFAO user followed-up via e-mail or something and the guy admitted that he was an officer on a proverbial fishing expedition.

[gnbrotz]

Forward these messages to *admins* (dan and doug). They can see and do things that mods cannot, and ultimately make the decision on whether or not to contact the authorities.