Disposition of Prohibited Persons Firearms

[rbetts]

Need input on a couple situations regarding the disposition of prohibited persons firearms.

#1 Internet purchase, Buyer denied. Buyer says sell it. DO I sell it or turn it in to the Local Authorities. If turned in, How have you done it?

#2 Internet Purchase , Seller long gone (private party) Buyer denied and is unresponsive to calls.

#3 Internet purchase, Buyer not responding to any calls or e-mails (gun in possession 1 year now)

I would prefer to be compensated for any shipping or travel expenes that I might incur to dispose of these.

Thoughts?

[kemasa]

Need input on a couple situations regarding the disposition of prohibited persons firearms.

The first thing I would say is that you need to have a policy on abandon firearms and storage of firearms. Without such policies, it will be much harder for you. My policy is that after 45 days the firearm is considered abandon and there are storage charges for any firearm left over 30 days, charged from the first day, but no storage charges if the firearm is picked up within 30 days.

#1 Internet purchase, Buyer denied. Buyer says sell it. DO I sell it or turn it in to the Local Authorities. If turned in, How have you done it?

It is not a PPT, so there is no requirement to turn it over to the police. If the buyer says to sell it, then sell it, but decide the terms in advance. Typical is 80/20 split, but just make sure that a friend of the buyer does not purchase it.

There is NO reason to turn it over to the police.

#2 Internet Purchase , Seller long gone (private party) Buyer denied and is unresponsive to calls.

This is where your policy comes into play. If you have no policy, wait 60-90 days, then sell the firearm and set the money aside.

#3 Internet purchase, Buyer not responding to any calls or e-mails (gun in possession 1 year now)

Again, this is where your policy comes into play. Sell it and set the money aside.

Once you have a policy, then it is much easier.

I would prefer to be compensated for any shipping or travel expenes that I might incur to dispose of these.

Thoughts?

Then you need to have a policy upfront so that people know what the policies are. You can't charge storage after the fact since the other person has not agreed to it. You could sent a certified letter to document that you tried to contact the person, then consider the item abandon and sell it off. Worst case they could sue you in small claims court, so make sure that you have all the documentation or just pay them the money, less fees. I doubt that a judge is going to look too kindly on someone who is prohibited and who does not deal with the issue in a timely fashion.

[rbetts]

Thanks for the feedback. Good to see how others do it.