How to Sell a Gun in Idaho

Highlights

• Idaho has a lax law when it comes to gun sales for private sellers.
• There’s no background check for private sales in Idaho.
• To sell a gun in Idaho:
  1. Clean and maintain your gun
  2. Research the applicable laws and your gun’s worth to avoid getting low-balled
  3. Find the selling method that suits your needs
  4. Close the sale
• If you want to skip all the hassle of selling a gun privately and driving around town to find the best deals, you can sell it to Cash for Arms.

Gun Sale Laws in Idaho

Idaho has some of the most permissive gun laws in the United States. You don’t need a permit to purchase or carry firearms. Idaho also does not mandate firearm registration.

Private gun sales don’t require background checks as well. This means that you can sell your gun directly to an individual without the interference of an FFL dealer.

There are also no waiting periods for buying a gun in Idaho.

Idaho also has preemption laws, so no local government can impose stricter gun sale regulations than the state.

However, federal laws still apply, and it's crucial to understand them.

Federal Laws

The Brady Law and National Firearms Act are the most relevant federal laws regarding gun sales in the United States.

The following are some important things you must know:

Prohibited Persons

While there’s no need for a background check on private sales, knowingly selling to a prohibited person under federal law is illegal. A prohibited person is:

1. A convicted felon
2. A fugitive from justice
3. An unlawful user of or someone who is addicted to controlled substances
4. An individual who has been adjudicated as mentally defective or committed to a mental institution
5. An illegal alien or non-immigrant visa holder (with some exceptions)
6. An individual who has been dishonorably discharged from the military
7. An individual who has renounced their U.S. citizenship
8. A person who is subject to a restraining order for harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or their child
9. A person convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence
10. A person under indictment for a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year

It's crucial to note that ignorance of the law is not a defense. Sellers are expected to take reasonable steps to ensure they're not selling to prohibited persons. The punishment for this can be a maximum of 10 years imprisonment.

NFA Items

Always remember that NFA items are strictly regulated. Selling them has extra steps. However, if you happen to sell an unregistered NFA item, that’s where it becomes illegal.

NFA items include:

• Compact shotguns. Any shotgun with a barrel shorter than 18 inches
• Modified shotguns. Shotguns altered to have an overall length under 26 inches or a barrel under 18 inches
• Short-barreled rifles. Rifles with a barrel length of less than 16 inches
• Altered rifles. Rifles modified to have an overall length under 26 inches or a barrel under 16 inches
• Specialty firearms. Weapons classified as "Any Other Weapons" (AOWs) under federal law
• Automatic firearms. Any gun capable of firing multiple rounds with a single trigger pull
• Sound suppressors. Devices designed to reduce the noise and flash of a firearm (often called silencers)
• Destructive devices. Explosives, incendiary devices, and firearms with a bore over 0.50 inches (with exceptions)

If you happen to have an unregistered NFA item, contact your nearby ATF office immediately for assistance in properly disposing of it.

Selling an unregistered NFA item is a federal felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 per offense.

Follow these important laws, and you’ll be ready to sell a gun in Idaho.

Step-by-Step Guide to Selling a Gun in Idaho

1. Prepare your firearm for sale. Thoroughly clean your gun and ensure it's in good working condition. This will increase its value and demonstrate that you've taken good care of the firearm.
2. Determine the value of your gun. Check online marketplaces, gun valuation guides, and local gun shops to understand your firearm's worth. You can also seek professional gun appraisers. However, getting a rough idea of your gun's worth is enough to avoid getting lowballed.
3. Choose a selling method. You may either sell your gun to an FFL dealer or a private individual. If you want to sell your gun to an FFL dealer, skip to step 6. If you want to sell your gun privately, you may sell it on online platforms like GunBroker.
4. Advertise your firearm. You may share your listing on your social media platforms or share it with people you know. Include details about your gun's make, model, caliber, and condition. Also, include any modifications or accessories.
5. Meet with potential buyers. Always meet in a safe, public location. Many meet up at gun shops. Be prepared to negotiate, but also know your bottom line. Just be prepared for people to try to lowball you.
6. Complete the sale. If you’re selling to an FFL dealer, follow their instructions to complete the sale. If you’re selling a gun to a private buyer, it’s wise to keep a bill of sale even if it’s not required by law. Make sure both you and the buyer have a copy.

If you plan to sell to an FFL dealer, you may visit your local gun shops, retailers, or pawn shops. However, if you want to skip the hassle of driving around town looking for the best deal, Cash for Arms can help you. You can sell your gun to us and do everything from home.

Selling Your Gun to Cash for Arms

Cash for Arms specializes in purchasing used firearms from private sellers just like you. In fact, many shops might not want to buy used guns at all; that’s where we come in.

You can skip the hassle of keeping track of the legal framework of selling a gun in Idaho. We’re an FFL dealer, so we are mandated to follow the applicable laws 100%.

We offer a streamlined process that can be more convenient than private sales as well. You can avoid taking gun pictures. You don't need to make an account on online platforms, post your gun details there, or evaluate buyers. You can skip all of that if you choose us.

Selling to us only takes three steps:

1. Send us your gun details via our website.
2. Accept our offer and ship your gun with our free shipping label.
3. Get paid within 24 hours after we receive your gun.

If you're looking to sell a large gun collection, Cash for Arms offers liquidation services in Idaho as well. Contact us today for help with your gun collection or inventory.

Conclusion

Selling a gun in Idaho can be straightforward if you understand the laws and follow proper procedures. Whether you choose a private sale or go through an FFL dealer like Cash for Arms, prioritize safety and legality throughout the process.

If you want to learn more about Cash for Arms, click “Sell Your Gun Now” or contact us at (904) 977-5477.

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