Armslist - To many questions?

[TomS]

I have never purchased any on Armslist before but found something i was interested in. The price was good but not super low for a new in the box firearm from a private party.

In the ad they ask for proof of MN residency and eligibility to purchase a firearm.

When it looked like we were good on the purchase I replied; “I’ll bring ID and permit to carry. I would also like to see you ID as well. If you have proof of purchase that would be good but not required. Would you mind sharing the Serial Number of the Fire arm so that i can do a search online to see if anything shows up?"

I then got an email back stating they were going to sell it to someone else.

Was my reply an unreasonable request or does this show this is someone to avoid?

[yukonjasper]

I would consider myself lucky. Something is a little fishy there, if the guy can't properly identify himself and allow for a check against stolen firearms. I'm assuming that it isn't a one of a kind item, so there should be another you can purchase from someone with nothing to hide. Those are reasonable requests when you are buying from someone you don't know. At the end of the day, if the guy isn't interested in providing the information he and you can decide not to trade. I'm sure you can count on other comments that think you are being unreasonable, but in the end, you have to have piece of mind and be comfortable.

[karlobag]

Some folks get punchy about giving out serial numbers. I do not know why. It is not like people can run out and file a fake stolen gun report or something weird like that.

But, Armslist is like Craigslist. You never know who you are dealing with and some folks will jump at the first cash they see, even if they already have accepted your offer. Nothing like showing up to meet a guy and finding out that he sold it out from under you......

You are probably better off.

[speedy396]

Is there an online source to check if a firearm is stolen? I thought only law enforcement had that access.

[TomS]

Is there an online source to check if a firearm is stolen? I thought only law enforcement had that access.

I believe there are a few sites that you can self-register a stolen firearm but I don’t think you could count on them. A police check would be a better bet. I partly asked the question knowing someone with something to hide would probably back out of the transaction.

Afterword’s I was second guessing myself. No real loss missing the purchase, I’ll just keep looking. Saved me a bit of a drive too since they were about an hour away.

[xd ED]

Is there an online source to check if a firearm is stolen? I thought only law enforcement had that access.

First hit on a internet search for " Online check for stolen guns": http://www.hotgunz.com

Not official; probably has as much credibility as the comments section of a newspaper article, and possibly the reason NOT to give out a serial number of something you're trying to sell.
You need only an email address to register, and merely enter a 10 digit phone number to report the Make/ Model/ Ser # of a "stolen" gun...
But then, I'm a bit of a cynic, and don't put much faith in Armslist as being an efficient mechanism to begin with.

ETA: As I understand having the police check serial numbers: I believe the police will run the serial number if they are present with the gun, and will confiscate anything coming back as stolen.

[MJY65]

But then, I'm a bit of a cynic, and don't put much faith in Armslist as being an efficient mechanism to begin with.

I've sold 3 firearms on GB, and two of the three have been copy/pasted by Armslist scammers. I would not deal with that site under any circumstances.

[TomS]

Clearly this person did not have someone else lined up seeing they drop the price on the gun today.

Glad the deal fell through.

[xd ED]

But then, I'm a bit of a cynic, and don't put much faith in Armslist as being an efficient mechanism to begin with.

I've sold 3 firearms on GB, and two of the three have been copy/pasted by Armslist scammers. I would not deal with that site under any circumstances.

How'd the GB process work for you as a seller?
Get your price?

I've bought several guns over the years; (I bought only NIB with a return policy- apparently online gun shops).

[photogpat]

I've bought and sold on Armslist before, never had any issues.

I always ask for ID and a PTP/PTC on a sell, and ID with a Bill of Sale on a buy prior to scheduling any meetings. Never actually had someone back away for that reason yet.

I've had some sell out from under me...but...cash in hand beats maybe cash tomorrow I suppose.

[MJY65]

How'd the GB process work for you as a seller?

It was OK. I set my price where I thought it was reasonable, so wasn't disappointed. One of the three needed to be re-listed when the buyer backed out.

[my1stpistol]

I've bought 1 gun on AL. He requested ptp or ptc and an id on 1st contact. Met ftf in a public setting. No issues at all.