This is a sort of non-standard gun buying question. Here’s the deal. I had a BAR in 270 for years. Sold it to my younger brother maybe 20 years ago. He just gave it back and said he wants to trade it for a bolt action. I live in Texas. He lives 405 miles away in Louisiana. He wants me to do the trade for him. I’d take it to Cabelas and trade it for him, but there’s the Straw Purchase thing to consider. I sure don’t want to violate that and wind up in deep you-know-what. How can I accomplish the trade and be within the law?

Can I buy back the 270 from him, then swap it (plus $) for a Tikka (caliber yet to be determined). Then sell him the new Tikka.

Is there a clean way to do this other than getting him over here to do all the transactions personally?

Id just do what is easiest and get on down the road.

Is he unable to sell or trade it? If he is unable to do so, why?

Well, Cabelas will swap it, though they won’t pay a great price, I’m sure. He’s a long ways from Cabelas, and I have the rifle here. He wants a bolt gun, but he needs a bit of guidance on what rifle, caliber, etc.

Happily, there’s no hurry. I just want to get his BAR out of the safe, get him what he wants and send him home. The safe is crowded.

Barns, tractors, and gun safes all seem to share a problem. They are all too small soon after you get them. Exactly the opposite of your new bride’s backside....

Better hope your new bride doesn't read THF.

1. Have him decide on what cartridge he wants.
2. Check with Blue Book for a rough idea of what his BAR is worth
3. Go around to several different dealers that are NOT Cabela's and see if he can make a deal that HE is comfortable with.
4. Buy the 'best' deal he finds.
5. No worries about Straw Purchase etc.

Cabela's isn't the only game around that handles trade-ins. He may stumble on a dealer with someone looking for just what he has to trade in.

I'd do exactly what Bbear said....especially since there isn't a rush to get it done. Take a little time to get a better deal.

He's your brother, not some random stranger. I assume he can legally own and possess firearms. I see no reason why you can't buy a gun for your brother as a gift. I say go for it.

Check the ATF regulations. With him living in La. and you in Texas, you can buy the gun or he can give it to you, but you'll need to fill out the 4473. After you legally own the gun, you can sell or swap. After you get the new gun, he'll need to fill out the 4473 in order to take possession and take it back home. This is the way I interpret the law, but have been known to be wrong on occasion. The easiest way would be for him to do his own buying and selling in La.

There’s nothing illegal if you buy a bolt gun and trade it for the BAR. You can legally ship direct to each other as well. No forms need to be filled out except you buying the bolt gun.

What’s planned is I’ll swap the BAR for another fellows rifle. In Texas. I originally bought the BAR in about 1974 or 75. Sold it to my brother, though I can’t remember exactly when. Mid 80’s, I think. Though I sold it back then, we never did any paperwork, so the gun (if records exist) would still be in my name. He recently gave it back to me. So that’s where we are at this point.

Since you are the original owner of the BAR, there would probably not be a problem with you taking it back. The problem would be letting the new gun (which you have done the paperwork on) cross the state line. Maybe you could just claim you loaned it to your brother. But...….. if your brother sells it and something goes south with it, the paperwork will lead directly to you.

Sell the BAR and send him the cash , they sell guns in LA ,

some thing sounds a little fishy,
Is he legal to own firearms ?

Mo

The brother is as legal as it gets. Sells insurance.

I’m gonna swap the gun in Texas with an individual.

Respectfully disagree as they are citizens of different states. Any interstate transfer must go through a FFL by the person receiving the transfer.

Here is a link to the ATF's FAQ's: https://www.atf.gov/firearms/firearms-frequently-asked-questions-unlicensed-persons

I’ll take Jeff’s word as gospel. I’ll do the swap in Texas and then later do an FFL transfer of the bolt gun to my Louisiana brother.