Can you not transfer 2 handguns at the same time?

Ulf Krogstad

Ulf Krogstad

Joined
Nov 19, 2013
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I bought a couple of handguns online and i got a call from the FFL dealer in my area that I had the handguns shipped to and he left me a phone message yesterday saying I can't buy both guns at the same time. I have bought/transfered two guns in the same day before without problems. He said I can get one this week and one next week. Is this guy trying to get more transfer fees from me or is there truth to this? Thanks
 
lokipittman said:
Depends on the laws in your state I believe. I've never had that problem in Texas.
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Yeah I swear I've bought two XDM's on the same day when ordered them together but it was a different shop. I'm gonna call some other FFL dealer's today and see what they say.
 
Ulf Krogstad said:
Yeah I swear I've bought two XDM's on the same day when ordered them together but it was a different shop. I'm gonna call some other FFL dealer's today and see what they say.
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I did a google search and some reading and there doesn't seem to be anything at the federal level that prevents that type of transaction.
 
lokipittman said:
I did a google search and some reading and there doesn't seem to be anything at the federal level that prevents that type of transaction.
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Thanks alot Loki. I called other shops around me and they confirmed the same thing. I have bought two at a time before but not from this dealer. Will figure this out later tonight.
 
I can even from an FFL, but I don't buy from FFLs. I buy, sell, trade, and give away via private sales only.
 
I had the same thing happen to me. Your ffl is being lazy and doesn't want to do any extra paperwork. The deal is that if you buy/transfer more than one handgun at once from the same ffl, they have extra paperwork to do. If you get them a week apart from each other, then they don't have to do the extra paperwork.
 
I had the ATF show up at my house last year a few days after I'd purchased a couple of handguns. They wanted to see the guns and verify the serial numbers. I have purchased many firearms over the past several years and asked what this was all about. The ATF agents said that if anyone purchases 2 or more handguns within a 5 day period, the FFL is required advise the ATF of this.

It was hard for me not to make a snarky comment like, "Geez guys, I f you're looking for straw-man buyers why don't you investigate some of your own people :cough: fast and furious :cough:?"

I confronted the fellows at the gun shop the next day and they confirmed that they were required to inform the ATF if a person purchased more than 2 handguns within a 5 day period. I told them I had nothing to hide but that a heads up advising me of this would have been nice. When the ATF agents showed up at my door at 7pm I would have at least had some coffee on for them.
 
ac700wildcat said:
I had the same thing happen to me. Your ffl is being lazy and doesn't want to do any extra paperwork. The deal is that if you buy/transfer more than one handgun at once from the same ffl, they have extra paperwork to do. If you get them a week apart from each other, then they don't have to do the extra paperwork.
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You are exactly right AC. I got ahold of them couple of hours ago and he was telling me he would have to contact the cops and FBI if bought both on same day (which I assumed he would have to do anyways even if I just got one? )instead of just getting one at a time. He told me at first it couldn't be done and was thinking maybe you needed a upgraded lisense or something to be able to sell two+ on same day, cause every other time I have bought online and had them shipped to FFL dealer they were big chain stores or reputable shops. I saw a great deal on a M&P 40 W/ NS and a Walther PPX and wanted to purchase them as quickly as possible before they were out of stock and the only FFL dealer they had on file was this small shop 45 min. away from me so just said screw it and told them to send them there.

What you said is exactly the thoughts I had in mind when hearing his full explanation after telling me I COULD get both same day. Was just him not wanting to do the extra paper work or was trying to get more money from me maybe trying to double the transfer fee's since done on different days. The guy has the lowest transfer fee's around though so happy with that. I think I'm just gonna pay him extra for the hassle since he's cheaper than other shops.
 
LizaMari said:
I had the ATF show up at my house last year a few days after I'd purchased a couple of handguns. They wanted to see the guns and verify the serial numbers. I have purchased many firearms over the past several years and asked what this was all about. The ATF agents said that if anyone purchases 2 or more handguns within a 5 day period, the FFL is required advise the ATF of this.

It was hard for me not to make a snarky comment like, "Geez guys, I f you're looking for straw-man buyers why don't you investigate some of your own people :cough: fast and furious :cough:?"

I confronted the fellows at the gun shop the next day and they confirmed that they were required to inform the ATF if a person purchased more than 2 handguns within a 5 day period. I told them I had nothing to hide but that a heads up advising me of this would have been nice. When the ATF agents showed up at my door at 7pm I would have at least had some coffee on for them.
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That is seriously f$%^&d up. I'm kinda worried now buying them both on the same day. I did buy 2 XDM's doing a transfer before though and didn't have the ATF/FBI knocking on my door so I don't know what to think.
 
leghog said:
Two words: private sales.
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You can't do private sales online though can you? I see a descent amount of people with ad's in the paper the thing is though they usually buy them at local stores and their prices are too high. Much cheaper buying online for new or used guns. I honestly don't know awhole lot about gun laws or restrictions. Never needed to do the research. I don't carry except for heading to or being in the woods and rarely sell but to people I know.
 
Per federal law, when anyone buys two or more handguns within a period of five business days, the FFL dealer has to fill out a second form and send that information to the ATF, notifying them of a multi-firearm purchase, which warrants increased observation in case the name of the buyer shows up repeatedly, suggesting firearms trafficking is taking place.

The ironic part is that the one-gun-a-month laws that are meant to cut down on gun trafficking, actually shield gun traffickers from detection, and leave them out in the general populace.
 
Ulf Krogstad said:
You can't do private sales online though can you? I see a descent amount of people with ad's in the paper the thing is though they usually buy them at local stores and their prices are too high. Much cheaper buying online for new or used guns. I honestly don't know awhole lot about gun laws or restrictions. Never needed to do the research. I don't carry except for heading to or being in the woods and rarely sell but to people I know.
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Here where I live, my state's Armslist site lists guns for sale by private individuals. Dealers list, too, but of course when you buy from a dealer you go through the FFL. Private sales are generally face to face with a firearms bill of sale (templates easily found online) being signed and exchanged and then you're both on your way. No fuss, no muss. Of course, the Moms Demand Action and Everytown crowd is now desperately trying to push their anti-gun regulation crap here.

Check the laws for private sales in your state and then check out your state's Armslist.
 
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Charlie_K said:
Per federal law, when anyone buys two or more handguns within a period of five business days, the FFL dealer has to fill out a second form and send that information to the ATF, notifying them of a multi-firearm purchase, which warrants increased observation in case the name of the buyer shows up repeatedly, suggesting firearms trafficking is taking place.

The ironic part is that the one-gun-a-month laws that are meant to cut down on gun trafficking, actually shield gun traffickers from detection, and leave them out in the general populace.
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That's great info to know. I hope they don't get too suspcious of somebody buying a couple handguns in a month for just one transaction. I have nothing to hide but having somebody beating down my door unanounced will not be good for anybody. Two guns within 5 days is ridiculous. I can see if somebody is buying 5+ guns every month them keeping an eye on the person but there are circumstances that should be taken account for multipule gun purchases. Like said saw good deals on both and also wanted to save on shipping buying both together and having to pay just one transfer fee. They have to figure out a better system for trying to pick out gun trafficers. What happened to lizamari is uncalled for and I'm sure lots of other people have worse similar stories for doing nothing unlawful.
 
Here ya go. From the ATF site.

The Gun Control Act (GCA) of 1968 requires federal firearms licensees (FFLs) to report multiple sales of handguns to the same purchaser [18 U.S.C. § 923(g)(3)]. The sale of two or more handguns must be reported if they occur at the same time, or within five business days of each other.

IMHO, the dealer may be doing you a favor. By spacing the transfers a week apart, there will probably be no flags pointing to you. Knock, knock.

Yeah, it's a PITA, but it is what it is. You don't like it? Go argue with the ATF. Good luck with that.
 
LizaMari said:
Here where I live, my state's Armslist site lists guns for sale by private individuals. Dealers list, too, but of course when you buy from a dealer you go through the FFL. Private sales are generally face to face with a firearms bill of sale (templates easily found online) being signed and exchanged and then you're both on your way. No fuss, no muss. Of course, the Moms Demand Action and Everytown crowd is now desperately trying to push their anti-gun regulation crap here.

Check the laws for private sales in your state and then check out Your state's Armslist.
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I totally forgot about sites like Armslist. I was just looking on there like a week ago. Everybody that has sales ad's on there though is mostly from around the Minneapolis or lower MN 4+ hr drive away and don't have a vehicle at the moment so most would be hard to get to. I have to check sites like AL more often though cause it is just so much eaiser with private sales.
 
UffDa said:
IMHO, the dealer may be doing you a favor. By spacing the transfers a week apart, there will probably be no flags pointing to you. Knock, knock.
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I'm starting to think that myself.;) He is actually a really nice guy. At first was just thinking he was just trying to get more money from me charging me mutliple tranfer fees for two different transfers on two different days or as said just didn't want to do the paperwork but from talking more with him thinking he is just looking out. I'm probably only doing transfers from now on through him.
 
Ive had dealers advise me about the laws and paperwork but its never been a big deal to me ... some avoid purchasing more then one firearm in a week just for the fact your local LE is informed of the purchase and if the firearms are of the common variety high capacity mags the they occasionally check to make sure it wasnt a straw purchase ... but Ive never actually had anyone come to my door and have purchased 4 or 5 firearms in a weeks time ... some FFL holders want to charge or complain over a little extra paperwork ... but it doesnt matter it you make purchases at different FFLs more then one per week will show the information sent to local LE ...
 
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