Bogley

shlingdawg · Joined: 07 Jul 2005 Posts: 640 Location: Western Washington

I'm feeling a discussion coming on. After reading some head-in-the-sand comments on KSL.com about how the gun shop that sold the Trolley-Square Bosnian a shotgun needs to be held liable - I had to ask.......

So.......

A while ago, I sold a gun - a handgun - on the internet. I can't tell you who bought it (because I don't remember). I don't have any record of it. Now, I bought the gun from a guy that lives somewhere in Provo. No records of me buying the gun, or me selling the gun exist. No background check was performed. Not even a bill of sale exists on either transaction. All deals were done w/ cash.

So - hypothetically speaking - the guy that I sold the gun to goes into the Gateway and shoots a bunch of people. Police kill him and there lay the gun that used to be mine, and someone elses and now the killers.

Who they gonna blame? :ne_nau:

REDFOX · Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Posts: 207

I am guessing that they will blame the person who's name is tagged to the serial number during the original purchase.

Glockguy · Joined: 28 Jul 2005 Posts: 310

Yes you could get screwed but the chances are slim.

Anytime you make private sale you should check their ID. Make sure they are of legal age to own the type of firearm you are selling.

I would only sale to people who have a CCW but that is just me.

At the very least you should provide bill of sale and have them sign it saying they are of legal age to won the weapon. That way of some gang banger shoots someone or does something else illegal with it you can have something to cover your butt.

This is especially true of you bought the firearm retail and it is registered to you.

shlingdawg · Joined: 07 Jul 2005 Posts: 640 Location: Western Washington

I think that regardless of the circumstances surrounding how the killer obtained the weapon, 100% of the blame should rest on his/her shoulders for making the decision to kill innocent people.

Who would we blame if these nutjobs stopped going into public places with handguns and shotguns (see NIU shooting yesterday) and started copycatting those crazy arabs and strapping bombs to themselves? Taking 5 times as many people with them?

I'm just tired of all these people that think that tougher gun control laws are going to remedy the situation. It baffles my mind that these people think that ANY law stops a criminal. Obtaining a firearm is just too easy, laws aside.

Sombeech · Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 11430 Location: The Rubbish Bin

I've sold a potato gun before. I'm just relieved it takes so long to reload, so casualties will remain low.

shagster · Joined: 31 Mar 2006 Posts: 541 Location: Somewhere in Utah

I agree check the ID and get a bill of sale for sure. I have checked with several local agencies and there is not law against privatley selling a firearm, but always COVER YOUR OWN A**..... :2thumbs:

trackrunner · Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Posts: 729

Ok I understand your point. Agree that it is pretty hard to have criminals abide by the law. I thought I remember reading in the paper that the shot gun sold by the store could not be legally sold to the shooter. That was the reason for going after the store. If I understand correctly had it been a legal sale then the store had covered its hide.

But if the paper got it wrong I’d like to hear about the situation.