Always a Bill of Sale with ID, after ATF shows up at door because a AR ended up in Mexico at a shoot out.

I've only sold a couple and anyone I sell to copy of CHL is the only way mine walks. Only CHL License or NO!

I no longer have any guns except for some .22lr rifles and a couple of guns that I talk about on here. I sold all but these because I just don't need so many guns anymore.

I got a signed Bill of Sale for each of them and had my signature notarized and therefore a recorded date for each document. No, I did not record the buyer's driver's license number because I don't have to - I just glanced at them to be sure that it was a Texas license. I also asked each buyer if they were legal to buy my gun and they seemed honest and answered "yes." If one of my old guns shows up at a crime scene, I have proof that I sold it long before the crime was committed.

However, I probably should try harder to change my records to show when buyers brought back a gun for a refund because they were unhappy with the transaction.

Marc

Several years ago I sold a hand gun at a gun show. About a year later I was contacted by an ATF agent and he was inquiring about the gun. Told him I sold it and when he asked me if I knew the person or their name I had to reply no as I did not get any ID information. He advised me that gun had been used in an armed robbery and they were tracing the ownership. I was the last registered owner. He had been nice to that point and then he got to be all business and stated very clearly that I needed to get ID information on anyone that I sold a gun to in the future. And, I have.

If he was right in saying that you legally "needed" to get ID info, you would have left in cuffs.
The ATF guy wasn't quoting a law, he was stating what he would prefer that you do. With private gun sales in Texas, we are ALL obliged to follow the laws plus common sense - added to our gut level instincts. If it doesn't smell right - don't do it.

I have only sold 2 guns both two friends. Shoot If ever sell another gun I am thinking about collecting some DNA.

I follow what the law requires. There is NO registration in Texas.

If I don't know the individual or they are not someone I am at least familiar with, I require a copy of driver's license number or other identification. I have an 03 Curio and Relics FFL so if the firearm is a curio and relic I have to have that information anyway for my bound book even though there is no paperwork required by the buyer. When a stranger to me is unwilling to provide that information, I see it as a red flag.

I sold a rifle to another forum member on THF a few years ago. I met him in a parking lot and it was not someone I was familiar with, so I did get the copy of his driver's license. Some time later I was contacted by ATF doing a reverse trace on that very rifle. I got the agent's name and told them I would call them back. I looked up the Dallas office, called and asked for that person to make sure it was who they said they were. They would not give me any details other than involved in criminal activity. I was able to provide the buyer's name and driver's license to the ATF taking me out off the loop entirely. I do not want any rifle involved in something criminal ending with me during a reverse trace.

I don't sell guns but I've bought quite a few just here on the forum. Never showed an ID to anybody.

Only follow the law.
Buyer over 21.
Buyer and seller are residents of same state.
No knowledge of buyer being a felon.

I would not show ID or sign any paperwork to buy a gun from any individual. When I sell a gun I deal in cash or trade only and would never think of signing paperwork. It’s no different than selling a lawnmower. Don’t complicate things. If they are over 18 don’t worry about it.

how do you protect yourself from buying a stolen gun?

How does this ID work for you?

I wouldn't show my ID to an individual or someone I didn't know. If I was buying a gun I guess I would only buy it from licensed dealer.

Last gun I bought from an individual was many years ago was friend of a friend who was hurting for money, but that was probably 30 years ago.

How does a BoS or checking ID inform you on whether the gun is stolen or not? Texas does not maintain a "stolen gun database" that consumers have access to.

Asking for ID is BS and not every legal to buy individual has a LTC.

OK, if I see an LTC, I can be 99.9% sure that they can legally own it.

Wrong, not required in Texas. Next time tell them to show you that statement in writing!

You were not the "registered owner". When a firearm is picked up by law enforcement related to criminal activity often part of the procedure is to do a reverse trace on the firearm. They contact the manufacturer or importer with the serial number to find out who the firearm was sold/shipped to, then they contact the FFL to get the information of who it was sold to, then contact the buyer, and so on until the trail stops. Likely how many stolen firearms are discovered. When an FFL ceases business, they are required to turn those bound books into the ATF. If you bought a firearm from an FFL, the serial number of that firearm can be reverse traced to you forever.

He is probably referring to federal law, that states it is legal to sell a firearm to a resident of your state. Out of state transfers have to go through an ffl. If you don't ask to see an ID, and dont know the person, how do you know they didnt come from another state? Not saying I agree, but sounds like a CYA recommendation from the agent.

Call it whatever you want. Again, showing ID for FTF private sale is NOT required by law.

I require a DL and phone number sent to me prior and verified on transfer. Also have a bill of sale that includes language that buyer attests to legally owning a firearm and includes type of firearm and serial number. I keep the signed bill of sale in my safe.

I have only bought a few guns off of all of the forums I am on. I pretty well already knew everything I needed to know about the seller I needed to know. First I would not buy any gun from a seller that only posts in the classifieds. Weather they admit it or not, in my opinion some of them would qualify as a dealer under the rules of ATF, my opinion that could be buying another problem that would rather not deal with.