Shady Firearms Purchase?
 

Hey guys -
I'm a senior at Washington State University getting a wildlife ecology and management degree. Hunting is a big part of my life, but paramount is proper gun ownership. I firmly believe that the way you handle and care for your firearms and promote safety and pride in their condition and function is what makes you a responsible gun owner (too bad there's no law to enforce that!). Recently I've listed a .30-30 Marlin336W with leather sling and recoil pad in near perfect condition on a flyer at the local sporting goods store thinking a responsible farmer or cattleman with experience around firearms would pick it up for porch or saddle gun, but instead my first contact came from a very respectful but plain speaking college kid, and something about his email of interest raised a red flag in my head and I thought I'd ask your opinion on something.

he says
"Hi Ace my name is andy. i saw that you had a .30-30 lever action for sale. i am very interested in this weapon. I would like to talk to you about it, and take a look at it. my phone number is 555-5555, you can give me a call or send me a message back if you are interested. thank you very much"

I understand that often times people of military or law enforcement background speak of firearms as "weapons", and I understand that, but in my neck of the woods a "weapon" implies criminal intentions for a firearm, and anyone I grew up with would never call a firearm or gun a "weapon" because that violates the safety and responsibility that we've been instilled with - just the same as when some of my college friends who don't know much about guns say somethingrefering to"shooting" someone with one jokingly I don't take it as a joke and I make it obvious right then and there that that kind of talk won't be tolerated by me - you just don't joke about that. Anyway, I took a look at the kid on facebook because he's in my network and I see no indication of prior firearm ownership. nothing in his interests says hunting or shooting, nothing in his public photo album involves any kind of outdoor sports or leisure, and none of his friends seem the firearm owning type. I hate to judge a book by it's cover, but this is the white-sneaker wearing bleach blond hair, pookashell necklace, popped-collar frat boy that's liable in my mind to do something stupid with a gun. on top of that he still lives in the dorms!
Maybe he wants to own his first gun and be a responsible citizen and gun owner, and it's not my place to take that from him or tell him he can't have one, but I organized a meeting today to let him see it in person.we're meeting in a neutral location away from my home and other firearms. I told him someone else is interested and i promised them first dibs, but he can take a look at it. truth be told it's just a way to feel the guy out before I decide to let him take it.

What do you guys think about the situation? I hate tobe so calculating over a simple word choice, butI just hate the thought of a crime being commited with my firearm because I wanted a few bucks for it. after all this is a lever-action and a pretty simple and effective weapon.

thanks for reading!
Ace

RE: Shady Firearms Purchase?
 

I didn't see anything wrong with that email honestly, hard to tell anything from that. I think you are probably right about him not owning a bunch of guns or being a country hick or something along those lines.

If you don't want to sell him the gun, then don't it is your choice. Don't feel like you have thwarted anything though, if he wants one he will just get one somewhere else.

Maybe he just likes lever actions and wants to own one. I would be more concerned if you were listing a handgun or assault type rifle and some "kid" was interested. However I don't feel a lever action 30-30 is something some psycho kid would seek out. Never know though to be honest.

Ask him what he wants it for and where he will be keeping it. Slip in some gun safety questions if you like as well. If you don't feel right about selling it to him then don't do it I guess. I assure you the gun store where you posted the flyer wouldn't care though. As long as he passed the back ground they would sell him whatever he wanted.

Paul

RE: Shady Firearms Purchase?
 

I see nothing he says out of the ordinary. I buy and sell dozens of guns. A 30-30 is not the gun of choice for many crimes. In fact, I can't remember the last time a bank or 7-11 was held up with a trusty lever action. :D

RE: Shady Firearms Purchase?
 

If he makes you uncomfortable just don't sell it to him. I think your reading way too much into this. E-mail me about this rifle if you want to sell it..Thanks: Jerry

RE: Shady Firearms Purchase?
 

Guns by definition are weapons soreferring to one as suchwouldn't really set of any alarms with me. I actually think referring to them as weapons helps people understand that they are dangerous andneed to be treated with respect.With that said, I have no problem at all judging a book by its cover and wouldn't sell a gun to anyone that even gave me the slightest hint that I’d regret it or if they gave me a "weird" feeling.

Just my .02

Inthe end it's your rifle to do with as you please and if you don't think he'd use it responsibly you don't have to sell it to him.

RE: Shady Firearms Purchase?
 

If its not a weapon then what the hell is it? A barbie doll?

Not everyone out there cares as much about being politically correct as you do.

RE: Shady Firearms Purchase?
 

Your choice, but if your not comfortable with it just don't return his call. Someone else will be along soon and buy it from you.

RE: Shady Firearms Purchase?
 

wow - this thread ran the full gamet of responses from indifferent to angry! neat post - interesting to see what you guys think about it. I guess it's more of a moral quandry than a single case situation. thanks for the responses.

RE: Shady Firearms Purchase?
 

First out side of the military or law enforcement I have never heard of a sporting arm/rifle called a weapon. It is just a point of view implying or seeing it as just for self defence or plain offensive actions. People in shooting sports use just simple discriptions and do not imply more than that. We use Guns, Rifles, Shotguns, Bows, etc. andthey are just tools and just that tools. After all golf clubs kill to but why would anyone with out motive refer to one as a weapon? Chew on that awhile.

Next trust your instinct if something doesn't seem right just move on and don't give it a second thought.

RE: Shady Firearms Purchase?
 

I like that.

RE: Shady Firearms Purchase?
 

hmmmmm....... i would be suspicious of that phone number.

RE: Shady Firearms Purchase?
 

When you meet up to transfer the rifle, turn and say to him, "What are you hunting, PEOPLE?!" Based upon his reaction, you maybe able togauge his intent.

RE: Shady Firearms Purchase?
 

You are kidding of course..LOL

RE: Shady Firearms Purchase?
 

of course. ever see 'last action hero?'

RE: Shady Firearms Purchase?
 

Yes. I knew I heard that number some where..LOL

RE: Shady Firearms Purchase?
 

I don't see anything wrong with it what so ever. I think you are readingway too muchinto this. The email actually sounded very polite and respectful.

Spend some time in a gun shop selling guns and you will get many many many people calling rifles, shotguns, handguns etc... weapons.

RE: Shady Firearms Purchase?
 

at first i thought it was odd but some people not knowledgeable about a 3030 might say that
it is a weapon weather you call it that or not any gun is a weapon
but we do not go around calling them that
just like i scream at the TV every time some idiot shoots some one and they say he shot the guy with a automatic when a pistol is a semi auto
i also have never heard any cop or soldier call a gun a weapon
i would feel him out heck even ask him why he wonts it then your know by how quick he answers and what he says

RE: Shady Firearms Purchase?
 

I often call guns weapons by the way. Heck, you see it here sometimes.

Paul

RE: Shady Firearms Purchase?
 

Well, you might consider that when YOU use the term "gun", I might think you're speaking of the crew-served, fully automaticvariety, or a non-high-angle capable (generally anti-tank) cannon?

Of course, considering the context of our posts here, I think I could be pretty confident that you're speaking of neither, check or hold? (that's military for "am I right or am I wrong").

Consider this - quite possibly, could the person who called you be a college student who as late as last semester was still in Iraq or Afghanistan, wishing they were home to hunt like they did before they joined the military?

Nothing's forcing you to sell it to just anyone, but I don't think a mere phone call and the term "weapon" ought to be enough to disqualify someone. After all, it might be me who made the call - and we don't call them "guns" at my house. Vote your conscience though, it's your weapon to do with whatever you wish.

RE: Shady Firearms Purchase?
 

As other posters mentioned, I sometimes refer to my guns as weapons-because they are.

Not too long ago I sold a 22 mag by posting a sign at my range. The guy who bought it from me had prepared "receipts." We printed and signed our names, the date of course, weapon (ahem) type and serial number. The guy also had a friend there as a witness who also signed.

I appreciated the guys thoughtfullness.

If you do decide to sell, I would recommend doing something similar. You don't necessarily have to have the thing notarized, just enough toshow that a transfer did occur.

But like other posters have said: it is your gun. If you are uncomfortable selling it to this person, then don't.

~Robert

RE: Shady Firearms Purchase?
 

I think nothing of folks calling firearms the following...
guns
rifle
pistol
pistol-ee
hog-leg
pop-gun
weapons
firearms
tools
buddies
arms
boom-stick
hand-cannon
My life-long freinds use these and others and it means nothing to me b/c I understand the context in which they use them. Usually ... 90% of the time we just use the word "gun"

It is way more important to know the person and the intent of use. If you have a concern about this I'd ask the guy straight up. What's wrong with a simple honest expression of your reation to his use of the word. Let him explain himself....You don't have to sell it to him, it's not a rental ... you can sell it to whomever you like.
Having respect for firearms and the sanctity of the life of game doesn't mean you must always use a certain lexicon else you are a boor......

RE: Shady Firearms Purchase?
 

This is a great thread. I just love idealistic college kids. In my opinion, the emails sounds about as immature as this thread but not at all suspicious.

Sell the gun or don't sell the gun, but this thread is pointless.

RE: Shady Firearms Purchase?
 

I have sold and traded firearms for over 40years now. My first thought and bet would be it's a minor trying to buy a gun without permission. I would back off of the sale and go elsewhere, These chat lines and forums have created another criminal and minor problem in purchaseing a firearm. My suggestion as I do, is go through a local FFL dealer to do the trasfer and then you are covered. This goes for all that read this post. Always go through a local ffl holder to save you grief and and problems down the road. That extra $20 or so transfer fee is piece of mind in my book!!
Mike

RE: Shady Firearms Purchase?
 

And it helps Mike put his kids through college. LOL:D

RE: Shady Firearms Purchase?
 

I got your LOL Briman!! Do what you want. I'm just suggesting that even though the ("G** Briman" ) may think differently. A FFL dealer transfer is insurance that you get what you pay or trade for. But then again a hand shake is as good as anyones word now a days isn't it HUH? Briman?? Some people just don't get it or have a clue>>>>>>>>>>>&g t;>>>>>>>>>

RE: Shady Firearms Purchase?
 

that does not always work

i sold a AR at a local dealer and they called said they had a guy wonting to buy it
i said OK
went down got my money well guest what they did not run it through the ffl
i found this out because i asked for a receipt saying they sold the gun to so and so
just in case it got used in a crime the guy said he would but the guy who bought it did not wont to go through the FBI.

I refused to pay there 50 bucks for selling it

The said if not they would sue me
I said OK well i guest you can explain it to the FBI why you did not run it through them

RE: Shady Firearms Purchase?
 

Like people missing the big smileys at the end of a post.

I actually support your position Mike, if only to give one of the FFL guys business. If you lived around here and did $20 transfers, you'd have all of my business.;)

RE: Shady Firearms Purchase?
 

I got the joke, and thought it was pretty funny myself. Then again I don't try and sell something everytime I make a post either.:D

Paul

RE: Shady Firearms Purchase?
 

If you feel funny about the sale, then ask to do a transfer. If he bows out, thenit may be sketchy. If not, then you have nothing to worry about. I'vedone background checks on private sales before.No problem. The minimal fee might make you sleep better.

RE: Shady Firearms Purchase?
 

Briman

I appologize Briman yesterday was a long exaspirating day and your comment was the last straw, I quess. Again I'm sorry I took it the wrong way just trying to help the others out to save them some grief.[&o]

Paul L Mohr

I just try to help others out about their questions and wants, If I can , sorry that upsets you. I'll try to do better. OK?[&o]

RE: Shady Firearms Purchase?
 

I honestly don't care what you do, just saying I got the joke is all.

Paul

RE: Shady Firearms Purchase?
 

lol. love you too buddy.