Online gun sales have significantly increased in the US over the past few years. There are more online sellers that are willing to buy and sell guns online. Because of this, there has been an increase in the number of gun owners willing to sell their firearms online as well. Before you go to make the sale, there are several things you should do to prepare. There are five steps to prepare for selling guns online.

Complete Maintenance On Your Firearms

When learning how to sell firearms online, most gun owners start by talking to a retailer that they trust. The first step is to complete the maintenance on your firearm. You can sell a gun if it is used, but it must be in a state where it is safe to use. Otherwise, you face potential liabilities from the person that you sold the firearm to if they get hurt using it.

Clean and Package for Sale

When your firearm is ready to be sold, you should give it one final cleaning and package it for safe transportation. It must be unloaded and cannot be shipped with ammunition. Do a final inspection of the entire piece making sure that all the parts are in the correct place. Place the firearm in a sealed container and make sure that there is no ammo in the container. It must be shipped separately in most states.

Search for a Reputable Buyer

Finding a buyer online can be a time-consuming process with several important factors that you should pay attention to. It is important to make sure that the person you are selling to is licensed to have the firearm. He or she must also be over the age of 18 and complies with state and federal laws.

If you are interested in selling to another person rather than a store, some stores can help you with that. There are online retailers who will hold auctions or list your firearm on their website. You can also sell directly to the retailer if they buy and sell used guns.

Complete the Paperwork and the Trade

When everything is lined up for the sale, the next step is to complete the paperwork. You may need the help of your state’s firearms licensing agency or a reputable dealer. Both parties must complete the change of ownership paperwork. It includes a background check, which can take some time depending on how it is completed. This step of the process is unavoidable since it is mandated on a federal and state level. Fortunately, most firearm retailers are connected to background check systems and can help you complete the process within minutes.

Whether you are selling to a retailer or another gun owner, transferring the firearm can be a point of concern. If you are shipping the firearm to another person in a different state, then you need to find an FFL firearms dealer near that person to ship to. You cannot ship it to them directly.

Discuss the Sale with a Qualified Seller

Coordinating the sale of a used firearm can be difficult on your own, but retailers like Lakeshore Guns can help you. We are one of the lowest priced online gun dealers in Michigan and we have worked with clients and other retailers in different states. Call us at (269) 857-2248 for help with your used firearm sale.