Since the world of private party gun sales in Texas is still somewhat new to me, what steps do you guys take, as sellers, to protect yourself in transactions? Two areas I'm most concerned about... One, I would only agree to do face-to-face transactions -- but will not invite strangers into my home -- so where do you guys arrange to meet potential buyers? Second, how do you try to protect yourself from potentially selling to someone who's legally prohibited from purchasing?

Well I try to meet at a area that has people around. Also right up a bill of sell for both parties and leave spot to put down the person DL# to keep for your record and get them to sign it.

Down load bill of sale from texasguntrader its simple and to the point

Bill of sale. Wal mart parking lots seem to be top choice for most THFers. Everybody can find one nearby.

Bill of Sale. Bill of Sale. Bill of Sale. BILL OF SALE!

Because you never know...

I personally do not require a bill of sale, but if you are paranoid, then it's not a bad idea (though, if paranoid, you should probably just cancel the sale...). You can also require a photo ID be presented.

Meet in a well lit, well populated area such as Walmart, Target, Academy, Bass Pro, Cabelas, etc... and have someone with you, preferably armed with a gun...or at least a cell phone.

I almost always meet the buyer/seller in a parking lot (I particularly like Cabela's or Bass Pro shops - they're both gun-friendly so you don't have to worry about someone calling the cops. I actually made a trade once in the parking lot of a small town's police station. Always meet in sunshine, not evening or nighttime. If you can get someone to come with you like your wife, friend, or even a big kid, let them stay in your vehicle because the other guy won't know if they are carrying.
I don't usually require a bill of sale, but I ask the other guy if he's legal to own a gun. I had a guy follow me around at a gun show for 20 minutes, trying to buy a pistol from me, but he looked suspicious so I refused to do business with him. He showed me a concealed carry permit with the darkest ID photo I've ever seen, so I asked him if he had a driver's license, and he said he forgot it at home. I figured it was either a crook or a setup, so I kept walking away.
I have made probably 30 transactions with folks I've met on this website buying, selling, and trading guns, ammo, and archery equipment and I've never had a problem.
By the way, another telling feature is to look at the seller's or buyer's number of posts. If he only has a few, he's just new, and that't not necessarily bad, but I feel a lot more comfortable when I see hundreds of posts, because this is a very friendly site, and we all tend to look out for each other.
We do have a right to keep and bear arms, and the process in Texas is really great, but it also comes with the responsibility to make sure we all follow the law.

Good advice.

Populated public place and if you want do a bill of sell to cover you later and have both parties sign it

If you want more assurance you can always go through an FFL to transfer your weapon, most charge fee to do this for you from $15+ normally. Its a good way to get some extra piece of mind, if your in the Carrollton area I can help you out with this also for less.

Redfred covered it pretty well. I always ask if they are legal and will ask for their chl if I am in doubt. No chl, no sale.

Never did a bill of sale as a seller, but have done one as a buyer to cover my backside if the gun comes up stolen at some point in the future.

Happy shopping!

-Z-

Thanks, all sound advice.

I can't seem to find the bill of sale on TGT. Where the bleep is it hiding?

Since you would not trade it is the least I could do. LOL

Another tip if you are going to do a bill of sale. It isn't legally required so many do not like to do them which is totally within their right. If you will require one please make sure the other party knows that before they take the time to meet you.

I had a guy show up and want to put my thumb print on a bill of sale. I wasn't very happy that he wasted my time and the deal didnt go through.

Redfred summed it up nicely 10:30 Sat night behind the Liquor store alone with a wade of cash might not be the safest.

The law...

Q: To whom may an unlicensed person transfer firearms under the GCA?

A person may sell a firearm to an unlicensed resident of his State, if he does not know or have reasonable cause to believe the person is prohibited from receiving or possessing firearms under Federal law.

Is documentation required...

Q: What record-keeping procedures should be followed when two private individuals want to engage in a firearms transaction?

When a transaction takes place between private (unlicensed) persons who reside in the same State, the Gun Control Act (GCA) does not require any record keeping. A private person may sell a firearm to another private individual in his or her State of residence and, similarly, a private individual may buy a firearm from another private person who resides in the same State. It is not necessary under Federal law for a Federal firearms licensee (FFL) to assist in the sale or transfer when the buyer and seller are “same-State” residents.

Good info here... just to add to what others have said, if you have a bad or nervous feeling about someone you are meeting you should probably not try to meet them. Pay attention to your instincts and use some common since. Generally through a littl e bit of conversation on here you can get a feel for the other party.

"you may not judge a book by its cover, but you can get a good idea of how long the story might be..."

I have done hundreds of swaps on here and texasguntrader and have never had an issue. I always try to meet at Cabelas or somewhere in the public like Walmart. Not to step on toes but I love Texas for many reasons and one of them is I can swap and sell guns anytime I want as stated above. I am not gonna do business with a crook I have been in law enforcement and security for over 20 years. I wont buy a gun from an individual that puts on here gotta see DL or gotta have bill of sale buts thats just me. I guess its the good ole boy in me that has enjoyed swapping and selling guns.

Academy is always good

As I have said, I am newbie here, but not a newbie to guns or gun trading. I have made several purchases from memebers here. I like Basspro, Cabelas or a range during the day. Keep lots of room around you, not so worried about THF member as I am a third party blowing in. I like a gunfriendly area. When I sold or traded at gun shows, besides following the law, if i did not like or feel good about other person....no deal. It is land of the free because of the brave.

i always take a trunk monkey and a ninja with me

Anybody ever try to spruce it up a little and try something different other than face to face? I'm thinking ski mask to ski mask or panty hose to panty hose or hoodie to hoodie.

A bill of sale is a must ... Protect yourself .. Everyone has cell phone
I do bill of sale and then I always take picture of the buyers drivers license
Next to serial number of pistol just for added protection ,.. But a bill of sale should be enough

I've sold several guns and found that if there is a gun show in town that is usually a really good place to make the sale. As far as bills of sale, I've never done one. However, I do ask to see a Texas driver's license. That seems to knock out all the suspicious characters. I don't write down their info, but it seems to discourage shady buyers anyway.