Buying Gun from Local Private Seller vs LGS?

[grainderson]

Looking to buy my first gun and was hoping to learn the key differences in Illinois between buying from a local private seller vs. a local gun store in terms of the whole process.

 

Also, generally what is the process for buying from a private seller?

 

 

 

 

[grainderson]

I should mention I already have a valid FOID.

[Euler]

On 9/28/2022 at 9:45 AM, grainderson said:

Looking to buy my first gun and was hoping to learn the key differences in Illinois between buying from a local private seller vs. a local gun store in terms of the whole process.

 

Also, generally what is the process for buying from a private seller?

 

Both LGS and private seller have to check your FOID validity, keep a record of the sale, and make you wait 3 days.

 

A private seller doesn't require you to fill out a federal form that eventually gets filed with the ATF, who keeps it forever to enter into their searchable not-technically-a-registry database of all gun owners and the guns they own, nor does a private seller contact the ISP to run a federal background check on you, possibly resulting in the ATF knocking on your door without a warrant to ask you to consent to a search to see if you still have the firearm or any other firearm or if maybe you gave it to a local drug dealing gang member, domestic terrorist, or other member of an extra-judicial watchlist.

 

Edited September 28, 2022 at 06:17 PM by Euler

[grainderson]

On 9/28/2022 at 1:14 PM, Euler said:

 

Both LGS and private seller have to check your FOID validity, keep a record of the sale, and make you wait 3 days.

 

A private seller doesn't require you to fill out a federal form that eventually gets filed with the ATF, who keeps it forever to enter into their searchable not-technically-a-registry database of all gun owners and the guns they own, nor does a private seller contact the ISP to run a federal background check on you, possibly resulting in the ATF knocking on your door without a warrant to ask you to consent to a search to see if you still have the firearm or any other firearm or if maybe you gave it to a local drug dealing gang member, domestic terrorist, or other member of an extra-judicial watchlist.

 

Thanks, informative and amusing!

 

When buying from a private seller, how is the 72 hours kicked off? Intent to buy over email or do I have to meet them in person (and a second time to pick it up)?

[Euler]

On 9/28/2022 at 2:56 PM, grainderson said:

Thanks, informative and amusing!

 

When buying from a private seller, how is the 72 hours kicked off? Intent to buy over email or do I have to meet them in person (and a second time to pick it up)?

 

 

720 ILCS 5/24-3(g) calls it "withholding delivery of the firearm for at least 72 hours after application for its purchase has been made." That's generally interpreted to mean 72 hours from the time the seller agrees to the sale, although many brick-and-mortar FFLs enforce it as 72 hours from when you fill out a 4473 and make you go back a second time.

 

The seller may ask you to send him a copy of your FOID (or at least your FOID number) and more just to make sure you're not wasting his time.

[JTHunter]

Grainderson - don't forget to check out pawn shops in your area for used guns that might save you some cash.

Ten years ago, I found a Ruger GP-100 in .357 at one and, after checking out Gun Broker, etc., offered them $100 less than their tagged price and they accepted.  The gun was only 1 year old and in mint condition.  Its only minor flaw (something I didn't know to check) was that the cylinder gap is at the upper end of Ruger's specs.  This will always remain in my mind for any other revolver I might want.

[soundguy]

If you were buying today from someone on some sort of on-line forum...

 

 -Contact the seller and come to an agreement on price and other terms

 -Send a copy of your FOID to the seller who runs the FOID check on-line

 -Meet up 72 hours later at a mutually agreed upon time and place

 

 

*The new online FOID check for private sales of a gun (not ammo) now asks for info about the gun. This may be above and beyond the letter of the law. I have heard that some are using the AMMO section (not gun) to verify the validity of the FOID and that this satisfies the letter of the law.

At some point soon the new rules kick in and we may be required to do private sales through an FFL.

[jim schad]

I might add that the state is getting the make, model and serial number of the guns being sold during the "verification" process, but I'm sure they're not compiling a database of the guns IL resident have in their possession.

[grainderson]

Good points everyone.

 

The new state form with the gun info certainly puts a damper on buying private.

 

 

[Hatchet]

Someone on reddit has stated that they have left the gun info blank and still got an approval number. I havent tried it yet but may be worth a try as well.

[IH8IL]

On 10/4/2022 at 8:08 AM, soundguy said:

If you were buying today from someone on some sort of on-line forum...

 

 -Contact the seller and come to an agreement on price and other terms

 -Send a copy of your FOID to the seller who runs the FOID check on-line

 -Meet up 72 hours later at a mutually agreed upon time and place

 

 

*The new online FOID check for private sales of a gun (not ammo) now asks for info about the gun. This may be above and beyond the letter of the law. I have heard that some are using the AMMO section (not gun) to verify the validity of the FOID and that this satisfies the letter of the law.

At some point soon the new rules kick in and we may be required to do private sales through an FFL.

Its never been required to give a copy if your foid. I don’t know why people here want more info then required. By law, all that was needed was name, dob and foid number.

[spanishjames]

On 10/10/2022 at 1:32 PM, IH8IL said:

Its never been required to give a copy if your foid. I don’t know why people here want more info then required. By law, all that was needed was name, dob and foid number.

Because when you go to meet the buyer, it's nice to know it's the same person. 

[IH8IL]

On 10/10/2022 at 3:07 PM, spanishjames said:

Because when you go to meet the buyer, it's nice to know it's the same person. 

Yeah but thats a lot different than requiring a copy of a foid. You can check the foid at pickup, no?

[spanishjames]

On 10/10/2022 at 8:02 PM, IH8IL said:

Yeah but thats a lot different than requiring a copy of a foid. You can check the foid at pickup, no?

I agree.