Many people buy and sell used guns online, but most traditional sale sites avoid firearms. Here are the policies at some of the big online buying sites:
eBay: Guns cannot be sold on eBay. The auction site follows federal regulations for the sale of all guns, including used guns.
According to the guidelines, while “actual firearms can’t be listed on eBay,” some parts and accessories are acceptable. Those accessories include magazine holders, speed loaders, stripper clips, or moon clips. There are certain used gun parts that can also be sold only on the eBay US site and cannot be sold internationally.
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Craigslist: Guns and their components, regardless of their used or new status, are on the
Craigslist.org list of prohibited list of items. That includes all firearms down to BB/pellet guns, stun guns, and spear guns. "Ammunition, clips, cartridges, reloading materials, gunpowder, fireworks, explosives and US military items not demilitarized in accord with Defense Department policy," are all specifically listed in the site's banned items. Craigslist also disavows any illegal activity in its terms of use statement. The site is for use at your own risk, and Craigslist says it's "not liable for any harm resulting from (a) user content; (b) user conduct, e.g. illegal conduct."
Amazon: While you can buy a book titled “How to Buy & Sell Used Guns” on Amazon, you cannot actually buy those guns on the site. Antique and collectible guns, assault weapons, rifles, shotguns, and pistols are all on
Amazon's list of prohibited items. The site also prohibits a large variety of other weapons and related items including metal throwing stars, concealed swords, fireworks, Billy clubs, and body armor. While there is a long list of permitted items — which includes some air guns and BB guns, gun parts, and hunting knives — the site warns users to make sure to follow purchasing laws where they live. There are federal export and trafficking regulations at play that could result in fines as high as $1 million.
To buy online, the best bet is to go with dedicated gun-selling sites that take precautions to make the transfer of guns legal by requiring all buyers to either have a Federal Firearms License, or to have an FFL in their area take delivery of the gun. That usually means a local gun shop must be used to complete the sale. Federal regulations require a buyer pass a background check before the purchase is final.
This article does not constitute legal advice. Check the current gun laws before purchasing or traveling with a firearm.
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