How do I legally sell a used handgun in Michigan?

Question

I have a used handgun that I want to sell, but want to make sure it is done properly. What steps do I have to take to ensure the transaction is legal?

Answer 1

Through a federally licensed FFL holder or a local gun shop; there are also online dealers that can help you.

Answer 2

I agree with most of the others that say do the transaction through a gun shop. It might cost you a little bit of money for the paperwork but it will be money well spent and give you peace of mind. Make sure you get and give a receipt for the purchase and put it up for your records just in case your ever a question about how you sold it to. If a firearm is recovered the ATF always starts with the manufacturer records and see where they shipped it. Then they go to the gun shop that made the purchase from the factory. Next they go through the gun shop's sales records and then guess where they go? Yep, to you! And when they do you better have answers to where the firearm went? If you can't prove your sale of the weapon your going to be suspect number 1 and might get arrested?  

Answer 3

You can legally sell a handgun to another Michigan resident who is 18 years of age and is not otherwise prohibited from possessing firearms.  The purchaser is the one who needs to jump through hoops.  In order to purchase from a private party, you still need a handgun purchase license or a license to carry.  As a seller, you sign the license to purchase form and describe the pistol sold along with dating it.  

Answer 4

You can either take it to a local gun shop and sell it on consignment or you can sell it yourself to someone who is of legal age, I do believe it is 18 but it could be 21. To be sure you may want to ask a local gun shop what the exact laws are in the state, your county, and any other things you need to know.

Good Luck

Answer 5

Answer for all states of the union? No D.A. will ever prosecute a gun owner that does the following:

Sell it to who ever you want. Just write up a "bill of sale" for yourself and write down the serial number, make and model. Write on it that the buyer states they are not a felon and are not prohibited from owning a firearm. Date it. And have the buyer sign it. Copy down their drivers license info on it. Confirm they are age 21 or over. File that away somewhere.

Easy.

If you want to get the "straight answer". Call your local gun shop. Heck..it's their livelihood. They live in your neck of the woods. Ask them about any restrictions in Michigan for the "private transfer" of ownership of a handgun.

Answer 6

make sure the gun has papers, and ask for a deed of sale

Answer 7

I don't think you can legally sell a handgun, I think you would have to give it to one of those gun stores, like sell it to them, and then someone would buy it from there...

Answer 8

Have the purchaser go to their local police (county sheriff if no local police) and get a 'license to purchase'. If you know the person great. If not check their drivers license and make sure they are who they say and that the address on the purchase license matches the address on their drivers license (or state id card). The purchase license is only good for 10 days so, also, check the date on it. Fill out the rest of the purchase license. Keep one copy for your records (I think it's the top one, but, whichever, it says 'sellers copy' on the one you keep. It's green and has three copies that are all the same with perforations where it tears apart.) Get the cash, give him (or her) the gun. That's it for you. They then have 10 days from the sale date to register the handgun.