Selling Your Firearms: Expert Tips to Get the Best Price for Your Guns

Everything You Need to Know About Selling a Firearm

The gun selling process looks different depending on where you live, what you're selling, and who you're selling to. The guides in this category cover every angle, from federal regulations that apply everywhere to state-specific laws that can vary dramatically. Here's a roadmap for the key topics and how they connect.

FFL Transfers vs. Private Sales: The Core Decision

Every gun seller faces the same fundamental choice: sell through a licensed FFL dealer or sell privately to another individual. An FFL transfer means a licensed dealer handles background checks, ATF paperwork, and legal compliance on your behalf. You trade a small amount of potential profit for complete legal protection. Private sales may seem more straightforward, but many states now mandate that even private transfers go through an FFL for a background check. In California, New York, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Michigan, and others, private sales without a background check are illegal. In states with fewer restrictions, you still bear personal liability if the buyer turns out to be a prohibited person. Selling through CashMyGuns.com removes all of that risk. We handle every compliance requirement because we hold the FFL ourselves.

Understanding Background Check Requirements

Federal law under the Gun Control Act of 1968 does not require background checks for private transfers between two unlicensed individuals in the same state. However, state law often adds stricter requirements. As of 2025, roughly half of all states have implemented some form of universal background check requirement that covers private sales. The trend is toward more states adopting these laws, not fewer. When you sell to a licensed FFL dealer, the background check question is irrelevant because the dealer's license already authorizes them to receive firearms. This is why selling to CashMyGuns.com is the most legally bulletproof method available.

State-by-State Gun Selling Laws

Gun laws vary dramatically between states, and they change frequently. California requires all firearm transfers to go through a licensed dealer with a DROS (Dealer Record of Sale) fee and a 10-day waiting period. New York requires FFL background checks for nearly all transfers. Florida allows private long gun sales without a background check but has county-level restrictions like Miami-Dade's five-day waiting period. Pennsylvania requires background checks for handgun transfers but exempts long guns in private sales. Our state-by-state guides break down the specific regulations for each jurisdiction so you know exactly what applies to your sale.

How to Ship a Firearm Legally

Federal law allows non-licensed individuals to ship long guns (rifles and shotguns) through USPS, UPS, or FedEx to a licensed FFL dealer. Handguns must be shipped via UPS or FedEx (not USPS) and must be sent via next-day or second-day air service. All firearms must be unloaded and declared to the carrier. When you sell through CashMyGuns.com, we provide a prepaid, insured shipping label with carrier-compliant packing instructions. You pack the firearm in a plain, unmarked box (no firearm branding visible), pad it well, and drop it off at the carrier location. We handle the rest.

Getting Paid: What to Expect

CashMyGuns.com offers three payment methods: direct bank deposit, mailed check, and Zelle. Direct deposit is the fastest option, with most sellers seeing funds within one to two business days of firearm inspection. Mailed checks arrive within approximately five business days. Zelle payments are sent the same day inspection is completed. There are no deductions, processing fees, or hidden charges. The amount quoted in your offer is the exact amount deposited or mailed. Compare this to the pawn shop experience (30% of value, high-interest loan agreements, confusing terms) or gun show sales (haggling, cash-only, no legal protection) and the difference is clear.